Are you planning to launch a new business? One of the most important elements you need to work on is your business website. Unfortunately, despite technology’s prevalence, not all businesses have websites.
About 36% of small businesses do not have a website to show for. Instead, they rely on traditional methods to reach their target audience. The problem with this is most of today’s consumers use smartphones and laptops to shop.
This became more evident with the ongoing pandemic. If you already own a brand, the next question is: do you know how to make a small business website? How much do websites cost?
Continue reading below as we guide you in building a website in seven simple steps.
Step 1: Starts With the Right Platform
Learning how to make a small business website starts with choosing a platform. This will serve as the home of your site, where you keep all the files and other important data.
Since your goal is to develop a user-friendly site, go for a platform with ready-made templates. Platforms like Wix and Squarespace allow you to build a website even if you have no coding knowledge.
Generally, two options work best for small businesses: WordPress and hosted website builders. WordPress.org gives you all the basic features you need to get your website up and running.
If you want a website complete with all the elements, invest in a trusted hosted website builder. Generally, these site builders offer designs that you can customize any way you want.
A hosted builder eliminates the need to outsource your hosting to another company. However, the caveat is that you may have some limitations when it comes to designing your site. The costs vary depending on the plan you choose.
Step 2: Choose a Domain Name
Next, you need to choose your domain name. This is the name that users will type in their browsers to get to your site. It’s best to have your domain name align with your business.
You want to make it short and easy to spell. Moreover, you may include keywords relevant to your business. If you’re brainstorming for a domain name, DomainWheel is a good place to start.
Step 3: Get a Good Hosting Provider
In case you decide to use WordPress for building your site, you need to find a good hosting provider. WordPress recommends Bluehost as one of the best options for beginners.
Regardless of the hosting provider you pick, the rule of thumb is to follow the tutorials to the letter. The provider should teach you how to navigate the tools and explain the sign-up process.
Step 4: Decide on Your Theme
After securing a hosting provider, you can now start working on your website’s theme. Your theme is one of the most important aspects of your site, as it has a direct impact on how effective it will be. WordPress comes with an extensive selection of themes and templates.
Moreover, you can customize these templates and incorporate your unique design elements. If you’re on the WordPress dashboard, select “Appearance,” then click on “Themes” to see what they have to offer.
You also need to work on your site’s navigation. The key is to make navigation a breeze for your visitors. This is crucial considering that 94% of consumers demand ease of navigation.
Having the best web design for businesses means creating a user-friendly site. You want to place your call-to-action buttons in strategic areas. Moreover, you need to automate speed improvements by using the right plug-ins.
Step 5: Fill Up Your Site with Quality Content
With a theme in place, your next step is to fill up your website with quality content. Keep in mind that content is still king. Begin by creating a flow for your website.
This means building the key elements that will create order in your site. Start with your homepage, as this is the first thing visitors will see when they check out your site. Your homepage should feature a brief overview of what your business is all about.
Next, you want to create a page for your products and services. Make sure to put clear descriptions of each product. Add high-resolution pictures of your items from different angles.
Don’t forget to create your contact page and about page. You want to earn the trust of your audience through transparency and accessibility.
Last but not least, create a blog section. A blog is one of the most powerful tools you can use to market your brand.
Step 6: Publish and Promote Your Site
To generate maximum exposure, you need to publish your website. Before you do so, make sure to check how your site looks like on a mobile device. This is a crucial factor to consider as most consumers today do their online shopping through smartphones and tablets.
You also need to check the accuracy of your content. Pay attention to spelling and grammatical errors in your blogs. These will affect your brand’s credibility.
Finally, use your social media accounts to promote your website. Post a link to your website when you publish anything on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Step 7: Track Your Site
Last but not least, you need to track your site’s progress. You can use visitor website tracking software to track your visitors’ behavior. You may also look into other tools like session replays from Decibel.
Tracking your site and visitors give you a glimpse of how effective your site is. It also helps identify any pain points that you need to improve on.
It would also help to get a dedicated team for search engine optimization (SEO). Through SEO, you can increase your chances of landing your website on Google’s page 1 search results.
Now You Know How to Make a Small Business Website
Now that you know how to make a small business website, you will have a clear direction in building your site. Focus on the key elements that will give you a more effective way to connect with your audience.
However, having good website navigation and a good website design is not enough. Check out our other blog posts where we discuss how to grow your business in all aspects.