Outsourcing may only be a solution when you have enough budget as a small business owner. For instance, if you plan to create a website, you may have to save significant money to hire a web designer. Creating a website for a small company on your own might be difficult.
Fortunately, it is easier than it seems to do this. For small businesses, there are website builders that are both easy to use and capable of producing professional-looking results, even for those with no prior web design knowledge. The best part is that many of these instruments are inexpensive.
This article will walk you through the 10 simple steps needed to create a website for your small business.
Why Is It Important to Build a Website for a Small Business?
Despite technological advances, a shockingly tiny percentage of small companies have their websites. A website is essential for contemporary marketing and visibility, even if your company is smaller.
Professionalism and Credibility
The presence of a website may lend credibility to your business and help consumers see your company as offering high-quality services. Most consumers won’t take notice of your business if it’s not easily accessible online. A website allows you to connect with customers on an ongoing basis—inspiring confidence in your product or service and winning their loyalty.
Increase customer reach
Online shopping has become very popular over the years. Now, you can buy everything from computers and cars to food and services. More people are shopping online, and since the internet never closes, sales are still going up even after business hours. Since you can access a website from almost anywhere and anytime, the reach has gotten much more significant. It means your business can grow worldwide and reach people outside your area.
Cost-effectiveness
Your website works even when you’re asleep, on vacation, or just too busy to check. It means your website constantly markets your products and services, even when you can’t do it directly. It could be making sales all day long!
Paying that one-time fee for building a website is an excellent way to keep your brand visible online. Your website is an advertisement for everything your business can do, and you can use social media to reach even more people. It may be a significant expense for a small business, but the money is well spent.
How to create a website for a small business?
You can begin its design and development when you know precisely what you want your website to do. Here are the essential steps that will help you get your business online
- Obtain a good domain name
Selecting the right domain name for your business may lead to many positive outcomes. Your customers will be able to discover you with less effort, and they’ll have a positive first impression when they come.
A domain name that is both memorable and professional will increase your site’s credibility and get more visitors. As a result, better SEO for your site means more people will find it.
The domain name you use should also facilitate the expansion of your business. Refrain from limiting yourself too much to a particular field since it might limit your future opportunities. With our development services, we can advise you on the best domain name for your website.
- Choose A Secure Web Host
A “host” is a provider that offers the servers, technology, and support necessary for your business website to be accessible online. A hosting provider will undoubtedly play a significant part since hosting your website may be costly for your business.
A shared web host may be the way to go if you’re on a tighter budget. Your site will be hosted on the same server as many other commercial enterprises.
The option is to pay extra for a dedicated web host that gives you your very own server. That way, you can focus on growing your company without worrying about competing with other sites in your industry.
- Display a detailed overview of your business.
To avoid making first-time visitors to your small business website feel lost, you must introduce yourself and your company’s services immediately. It would be better if you had an introduction text blurb towards the top of the page that outlines who you are and what you do and a series of banners that serve as visual representations of your services.
Additionally, ensure that both your primary and footer navigation menus feature “About Us” page links that are immediately accessible so that visitors may click them to learn more about your company.
- Choose the best Content Management System.
Software designed to facilitate the production and administration of digital material is known as a content management system (CMS). A solid CMS will make site maintenance more accessible, and you won’t need special training. Different content management systems (CMS) are utilised for various reasons, including ease of use, scalability, and cost, so choosing one that fits your specific requirements is essential.
The popular methods listed below include discussions of their advantages and disadvantages.
When it comes to content management systems, “WordPress is the most popular in the world. There are several helpful plugins to increase the functionality of your site and a large, vibrant support community.
- Drupal – is yet another well-known CMS. It has the same benefits as WordPress, such as being flexible, easy to use, and having a large community of people who can help you.
- Joomla – is yet another well-known CMS. It has the same benefits as WordPress, such as being flexible, easy to use and has a large community of people who can help.
- Squarespace – is a monthly or yearly subscription service that makes website and blog development as simple as dragging and dropping.
- Integrate Social Media
Integrating your website with social media may increase the traffic and interaction it receives. You may make it simple for users to share the material on your website on the social networks of their choice by adding buttons for various social media platforms to your website. Integration with social media platforms also enables you to monitor how well your material is received on these platforms and measure its success.
Here are a few methods to integrate social media:
- Include a Facebook Like button on your website and blog articles so visitors can quickly like them on Facebook.
- Install a Twitter Follow button on your website so that people may follow you on Twitter without leaving your website. Make a Tweet This button allows individuals to share your content with their following easily.
- Auto-publish your blog entries to your social media networks so your fans can view them immediately.
- Create a social stream on your website to highlight your most recent social media updates.
- Invest in professional photography
High-quality photos are required to portray a professional brand image. If photographs of your actual location/products aren’t required, hire a professional photographer or acquire high-quality stock images that convey the “feel” of your firm. All of the photographs on your website must be of excellent quality and resolution. Use your sitemap to compile a list of all required images (location, goods, personnel, and more.) and collect them before you build your website.
- Identify SEO keywords
You want to attract people using search engines for hunting for products or services your company provides. Determine three to five target keywords associated with your goods or services that you will use throughout the material on your website. Consider what a typical individual would put into a search engine if they were seeking information about your company’s services.
Consider using a keyword tool to hone down on popular keywords that will increase your website’s organic search engine rankings. If this section begins to seem like gibberish, that’s OK! Numerous pros may do fundamental keyword analysis for your business for a little price.
- Make your site mobile responsive.
A website’s success is dependent on its responsiveness to mobile devices. More than one-third of all internet purchases in the United States are made on a mobile device, and the average American adult spends more than five hours a day on theirs. Your company’s mobile website ought to provide a satisfying experience for visitors.
If prospective consumers visit your website and find it difficult to read or navigate on a mobile device, they may ditch you for a rival. In addition, a terrible mobile user experience impacts your website’s search engine rankings, making it more difficult for people to locate through a Google search – which takes us to our next issue.
- Secure your URL
In the online world, your URL is the address of your site. The name should be catchy, short, and simple to spell. Think about whether the name of your business could be cut down without losing what makes it unique if it is long. If your business name is Bob’s Fantastic Hot Dogs, having a domain name like BobsDogs.com would make it easier for customers to find you online.
Since Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) don’t differentiate between uppercase and lowercase letters, avoiding having your business name, become a confusing compound is important. It would be best if you quickly bought the domain name after you’ve settled on the one you like and it’s available.
- Test it regularly
Checking your website often is the best way to know it is working correctly. This approach allows you to learn and adjust as you go along. You need to keep track of how well each part works so that you can make any changes that are needed. In addition, you should use analytics to monitor how visitors engage with your website. You can use this information to decide what to keep, change, or remove on your website.
Final Thoughts
Putting together a good website for your business may take a lot of time, and you may need more time to get started on all the work it takes. However, remember that a site like this is quite valuable to your business since it can help you promote your brand and bring in new consumers for practically nothing.
After reading this post, I hope you will better understand how to construct the best website for a small company from scratch, even if you don’t hire a professional or freelance web designer. You just need to follow the instructions correctly, and your website will be successful.
Take advantage of the tried-and-true 10-step process above for designing websites for small company customers.
AUTHOR:
Jennysis Lajom is an IT graduate, a former chemist, a business owner, and a Korean drama fan. Her interest in digital marketing led her to work in graphic design, content creation and social media marketing. She also works as a resident SEO writer for Softvire US and Softvire Australia.
