It’s 2020 in the next month. A website for your company is no longer a distant dream. It should not be a thing that is merely a website without being cherished, neglected and outdated. It must be at the center in your advertising. It should be the base of your online brand and should also be an engine for the future growth of your business.
This blog outlines the options that entrepreneurs have to boost your online presence. We are sure you have a variety of roles in your business. You’re the bookkeeper; salesperson, HR manager, etc. The list is endless. Are you really looking to include web designer and website developers to the list?
This article will walk you through options for creating a website for small-scale businesses. It will provide you with the advantages and disadvantages for “doing-it-yourself” and the questions to ask when hiring a professional.
We are going to go over three important questions to consider before making important website decision:
Why is my business required to have an online presence?
This will allow you to understand the size and scope of the work that lies ahead. These are some questions to help decide what you would like to see from your new website
Do you require it to ensure that you can be seen by potential customers searching for your services on the internet?
Do you want to provide online booking?
Does your website need to show your portfolio of work?
Are you planning to provide customers service on your website?
Do you need to start a blog? Or to catalog your most recent articles or videos?
Take a look at your competitors’ websites, determine the elements you like and then begin to determine the essential elements in your site (or revise your design).
What is the budget you have set on this particular project?
A lot is possible with the smallest budget. You can invest less than $500 and get an attractive, responsive site that has a variety of sophisticated features. However, you’ll be paying for it with the hours you spend watching YouTube tutorials and a lot of frustration when you aren’t able to find that awesome widget to place at the center of the page in Mobile view.
It is not a way to eliminate the necessity for professional designers or “done for you” options. Many business owners don’t have the skills, experience or patience to do it on their own and make it work for themselves. They require an expert in web design to help them navigate the process. They will be able to see the investment in their business as a wise investment.
What is your timetable?
This will be the most prominent aspect of your company. It must reflect the quality of your brand. It should not be put off since you are aware that you need to be online today. Make a plan, establish an achievable date, and begin the process once you are sure that you have the time to give it full focus.
Here’s the various options on the internet for you.
Engage a web design expert
In the past, this was the sole alternative for companies seeking an attractive and modern website. Today, there’s a variety of alternatives. Developers and designers will consult with business owners in order to find out what they want to see on their website and how they want it to appear.
Be sure you’re working with a team that is knowledgeable about the importance of Search Engine Optimization and you are able to modify information and make minor modifications after the site has been launched. If you aren’t sure that you’ll be able to make modifications yourself, make sure you have a strategy that will allow you to collaborate alongside the designers over the long run to ensure that your website remains fresh and attractive.
You can expect to pay the highest price for this type of option. The variety here is vast. A designer from the world working remotely via a website such as Fever or an expert in your area who could be more expensive There are a lot of options. Be sure to conduct your research by talking to current clients, looking through portfolios and communicating with various providers before making your choice.
Utilize a platform like Square Space or WIX
These are all-in-one services for entrepreneurs who wish to get their own website online. For a monthly cost of about $20, you will get a domain name as well as hosting, access to top templates, and an “drag and drop” website editor, making it much simpler to build attractive websites. They also offer tools, widgets and add-ons which allow you to incorporate features such as chatbots, online booking, and E-commerce. There’s plenty of help on the internet in the form of tutorials, videos and blogs that can help you build the website you’ve always wanted.
It’s becoming an easy decision… Just sit back.
While they are simple and straightforward, these platforms may seem daunting for business owners who do not possess the ability to think creatively or don’t have time to sit down at an office computer and work for long hours completing the work required to make these templates shine. There are those who critique these websites for appearing like templates. They can appear far too “off-the-peg” and do not convey the genuine nature of your business.
Do you think Word Press is a good option?
Word Press will give you numerous more options than Squarespace or WIX. It’s less expensive as well as more flexible. You can make use of templates or test your creative side with a custom and unique design.
You’ll require an internet domain and hosting service that is expected to cost around $150 per year. This makes it slightly less expensive than the Square Space/WIX plan.
The primary drawback of creating the Word Press site is that the learning curve could be high. Word Press isn’t as user-friendly or intuitive as other platforms, and you should be vigilant about security since websites that haven’t been updated could be victims of cyberattacks and malware.
As a plus, you’ll never get bored of Word Press. Sites such as The Government of Sweden and The Walt Disney Company use Word Press, so you know that there are no limits to what you can do using a platform that is well-established (plus it’s the Beyoncé website uses Word Press, so it must be good, right? ).
There’s no shortage of online platforms, experts and tips to help create your online business. It is crucial to move on to the next stage. Don’t get caught in the research and planning stages. Call and ask an expert in design, sign up for an account with Square Accounts, YouTube “Word Press for Beginners,” get moving and begin to reap the advantages of having an online presence that is as distinct as your real-world business.