How To Create A Website For Your Business
Websites are the main hub of your business in an increasingly digital world. No matter what size of business, it’s definitely worth considering if you want an online presence. A website expands your brand, informs potential customers, and drives sales upwards when done correctly.
Today, we will be discussing how to build a website from scratch. The process has definitely gotten easier than before. Coding isn’t something you need to know to have one. By following a core set of principles, your website will definitely find success in the competitive market.
Set Your Primary Goal
Whether it’s a small business website or a large one, you have to set your mind on what the website’s purpose is. Generally speaking, business websites act as a digital store as well as a place to gather general information about your business.
Tell your team exactly what you want to achieve with your website. Is it to expand your brand? Streamline the buying process for customers? These goals need to be set early because adding new things to an existing website can be a massive undertaking.
Find a local Web Host
Now that you have a goal, it’s time to find where your website will reside. For small businesses, it’s best to stick with shared web hosting services such as Wix and Squarespace. They are way less expensive and are capable of all the essentials a small business needs. Not to mention, they are much easier to work with due to templates.
For larger businesses, especially ones that undergo a lot of traffic, having a dedicated web host such as GoDaddy or Crucial is the best option. Dedicated hosting means full control over your servers as well as full customization on the front-end and back-end. We offer carbon neutral, Australian web hosting through Crucial for all new websites we build.
Settle on a Website Domain Name
A domain name is the address of your website. This is how people will reach your page. It’s also what you’ll be plastering on ads to grow your business. Your URL should be concise, descriptive, and easy to recall. There are some nontraditional suffixes for the domain names nowadays such as “.ninja” or “.agency”.
However, you should stick with the “.com” for simplicity’s sake. People will have a much easier time remembering your website if you keep things simple. Another thing to consider is the copyright of your website domain name. It’s a big world out there, so your domain name might be taken.
Create Your Homepage
The core principles of your web design will be decided on the homepage. Before you start working on the other parts of your website, the homepage needs to be a home run. The homepage should immediately inform the customer of what your business is about and see the services/products you want them to see.
Homepages should also have all the important menus such as “contact us” and “about us” in easy-to-see locations. Your homepage’s design also decides what the entire site’s look will be. Keep the design simple and aesthetically pleasing. Overcrowded websites can be a turn-off for potential leads.
Create The Other Pages
From here, it’s time to create the other essential pages of your website. Different businesses will have different sections. Still, some pages are universally beneficial for your site.
Catalogue of Services/Products
Your website needs to provide a detailed list of the services/products that your business provides. There should also be an easy way for them to purchase said services and products from your website. There are e-commerce websites such as Paypal that assist with this.
Contact Us
The “Contact Us” page should include the following details:
- E-mail Addresses (main business email, specific departments, etc)
- Phone numbers (same as above)
- Full Address of company (for mail and walk-in visits)
- Newsletter Sign-Up
The “Contact Us” page should have minimal fluff. It’s purely informative and all the contact information should be front and centre.
About Us
This section gives a brief rundown of your business’ history as well as its overall goals. This section could also be where key employees are named and given contact information. The “About Us” page is also a chance to add good SEO to your website.
Company Blog
While social media sites have taken this spot in recent years, having a company blog is still a nifty addition to your website. It provides customers with the latest updates on your company. In addition, it’s also compatible with social media. Company blog posts can easily be shared on social media.
Start Testing Your New Site
Before your site goes public, start rigorously testing your site. The first impression is the most important. If a potential lead discovers a bug or performance issues while browsing your site, they may not come back from too negative of an experience. Make sure that testing is done on all major browsers (Edge, Chrome, Firefox, and Opera GX) and that the mobile layout is decent.
Conclusion
Websites are easier than ever to set up, but getting the word out about them gets surprisingly difficult. If you want to learn more about the ins and outs of web design, check out our web design services here.
