Setting up a website can be daunting if you've never done it before – there's so much information out there about what hosting service to use, what type of site builder would work best for your needs, which domain name is the right one but don't worry! We’ll break down all those decisions into easy steps that will have your new website live in no time.
What Should The Purpose Of My Website Be?
The first thing you need to do is sit down and think about why you're setting up a website in the first place. Is it because your business needs an online presence, or did you create a company purely for the sake of having a web portal? Do you own the domain name free and clear? Are you using social media sites like Facebook and Twitter to advertise your products and services? If so, get ready to set up pages for these internally linked profiles on your new site.
How Should I Go About Finding A Website Design Company?
Now that you know why you want a website, it's time to start looking for the right team of designers and programmers. Perhaps try putting out an open request on social media asking your friends and followers if they have any recommendations for small business web design companies. If all else fails, try Googling “best small business web design company” and go from there.
What Features Should My Site Have?
Your website could have anything from a basic blog to a custom-built ecommerce platform. A great place to start when planning your site is by asking how you want to be perceived: do you want to look like a premium brand, or more of an affordable and approachable company? Do you deal in a product that demands regular customer feedback and reviews?
How Should I Get My Website Hosted?
Once you've chosen a web design company, it's time to talk about hosting. Will your new site be accessible via mobile devices like phones and tablets? If so, make sure that your host offers mobile site functionality. How much content do you plan on having? Also ensure that they back up your site for safekeeping and provide as many security measures as possible.
Do I Need To Set Up A Blog?
If you plan on attracting customers through regularly scheduled posts with giveaways or promotions, then yes – definitely! Blogging can also be used as an SEO tool, allowing Google to find and index your new site – not only will this make it easier for people to find your business, but it will also be a boon with regards to ranking in search engines.
What About Security?
Think through the security measures you want to have on your site. Do you want to be able to accept credit cards and other forms of digital payments? If you plan on doing any sort of business-to-business transactions, make sure that your host offers a secure storage server for your customers.
So I've Found My Website Design Company And We've Picked A Hosting Platform – Now What?
Now you're ready to set up your brand new website! Don't forget to have a content strategy in place – this is something you should definitely consider going into the project. It's also a good idea to have a list of all of your pages pre-drafted so that nothing gets overlooked or accidentally left out. The more prepared you are, the better!
What Do I Need To Keep In Mind Post-Launch?
After you've launched your new site, continue to monitor your analytics and look for ways you can improve the performance of the page. Keeping an eye on these things will help you stay ahead of any potential problems and prevent them from becoming issues in the future.
Your small business website is the single most important tool you have to get your message out. That’s why it should be designed with extreme care and attention, using every trick in the book to maximize usability for visitors while also maximizing conversion rates. Sharp Tack Media can help you create an amazing digital experience that will drive more traffic, convert more leads, and ultimately generate more revenue than ever before! Avail our free consultation today!
