What to Know Before Building a Small Business Website
Around 25 percent of small businesses in the U.S. don’t have a website.
It’s unbelievable, right? At a time when almost every consumer is shopping online, it’s inconceivable that some businesses still don’t have any online presence.
The good news is you’re ready to remedy this problem. Building a small business website enables your business to be where the customer is: online.
However, it’s one thing to create a website, and it’s another thing to create a website that delivers the results you want.
To help you build a website that works, we’re fleshing out a couple of important things you need to keep in mind. Let’s get into it.
Understand the Purpose of Your Business Website
There are different types of business websites. They include:
- Ecommerce website
- Booking website
- Portfolio website
- Corporate website
- Lead generation website
When you think of a business website, the first thing that comes to mind is a platform where you can buy something. While ecommerce stores are the poster child business websites, they aren’t the only ones.
Different business websites have different development and design requirements. As such, knowing the kind of website you need is essential. If you need an ecommerce website, for example, you’ll focus on finding the tools for building such websites.
The Domain Name Matters
A domain name is a crucial piece of any website. It’s not just a web address. It can also go a long way in helping your branding and marketing efforts.
Before you start building a website, ensure you have the right domain name. Don’t start on design and development work saying you’ll figure out the right domain name later on. Changing a domain name later on can affect your site’s traffic.
When choosing a domain name, ensure it’s relevant to your brand. If yours is a fruit business, for example, the domain name should give someone an idea of what the business is about.
You might also want to localize the name, especially if you’re running a local business. This can boost your local SEO efforts later on.
Choose the Right Web Hosting
To register a domain name, you have to choose a web host.
Web hosting companies come aren’t created equal. Most will offer free domain name registration but the quality of hosting services differs.
Choose a web host that has a good reputation. If a host is known to experience frequent outages, your site will be affected as well.
DIY vs Hiring a Pro
It’s not uncommon for small business owners to build their business websites on their own. It’s easy to set up a website even if you don’t have any technical expertise.
But should you do it?
DIY’ing a business website isn’t a good idea unless you’re a web design expert and have plenty of time to focus on the task. If you’re not, you’re better off hiring an expert like Smart & Slick.
Building a Small Business Website the Right Way
Building a small business website is a key step to taking your business online. There are important things you need to consider before you start the project, including the type of business website you need, domain name, web host, and whether to DIY or hire a pro.
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