Brought to you by Movavi:
Over 39% of your website visitors are likely to leave if it takes too long to for your site to load. Starting a business is also a long process. It includes developing a business plan, applying for licenses, and having a website that works.
However, establishing a business website is more than just having an online presence. It’s about interacting with your customers. It’s about creating a user experience that matters.
Why Does a Business Website Matter?
Consumers who are digitally savvy want to be able to interact with your brand at any time and from any location. Your website is one of the most important ways clients may get in touch with you, conduct business with you, and learn more about your company.
You have the potential to own your storyline on your website, as customers frequently do their research online before visiting brick-and-mortar locations.
Here are six steps to help you create a website for your business.
1. Identify Your Website’s Principle Purpose
For the most part, a company’s website functions as a platform for online sales and information dissemination. If you’re building a simple informational website or a more involved e-commerce website, the most crucial thing you need to accomplish is to explain what your business does right on the homepage.
Customers should not have to sift through your company’s website to find out if you can meet their needs.
Make a mental map of the user’s path around your site. Users should be able to quickly determine whatever your website’s primary purpose or focus is, and the primary goal of your business should be reiterated as users browse through your website.
Setting up your website will be easier if you don’t want to accept payments through it. A third-party service is required if you’re a retail or service provider who wants to allow customers to pay online.
2. Set up a Domain Name
Purchase a domain if you don’t already have a website. You can either use a domain registrar that comes with a website-building platform, or you can purchase a domain name separately. If it’s available, you can use your company name as your domain name, or you can choose anything else that represents your company, its goods, or services.
A short and simple domain name is ideal. Avoid hyphens, underscores, and symbols that are hard to recall. Make a connection between your company and the domain name. A domain extension like .info, .nyc or .com may be suitable if your business name is unavailable.
Adding the title of your city or neighborhood to your domain is an option. In addition, make sure to check search results and contact your legal advisers to ensure you don’t encounter problems by picking a domain name that may be substantially similar to another company’s brand.
3. Pick a Reliable Web Host
For any website to function, it must have a server where all of its data can be accessed at any time. An external web host is the best option for your new business because it will save you money in the long run.
Depending on your financial circumstances, you have a choice between two viable solutions. You’ll be sharing a server with other websites if you go with a shared web host, which is the cheapest choice.
On the other hand, dedicated hosting is more expensive, but it ensures that your site will not have to contend with other websites that may slow down your page loading times. Platforms like Squarespace and Wix offer web hosting as part of their monthly plans.
Even though you may be seeking a free website host, keep in mind that hosting a website is not cheap for the hosting provider. As a result, they may use other strategies to make up for the free hosting, such as adding banner ads on your site.
Consider how well a host can answer inquiries concerning the locations of its servers and their dependability when you’re picking a host.
4. Build out the Pages of Your Site
If you’re a new business, you may not know where to begin when it comes to creating your website’s content and information.
Homepage: You need to make it obvious what you do, what you offer, and why your firm is unique on your homepage.
Menu: Provide customers and clients an easy way to interact with your business, if it’s an online store, a menu, an explanation of the professional services you provide, or an appointment schedule and pricing for your salon.
About page: Use this page to convey your company’s narrative and mission.
Contact: Your location, hours of operation, contact information (email, phone, social media), and any other important information should be prominently displayed on your website’s contact page.
Blog: Maintaining a blog is an important part of increasing your website’s authority with search engines. Think about creating a page where you can post news and information about your company, industry, or neighborhood.
Reviews: Customer and media testimonials are a great way to get the word out about your organization.
Privacy policy & terms and conditions: List your website’s policies and the ways you plan to make use of the information you collect from visitors.
FAQ: Make it easy for customers to learn about your company’s services and products in a single location.
5. Set up a Payment Method
Companies who want clients to be able to pay for their products or services online will need to integrate an electronic payment system with their websites. Using e-commerce software or credit card processing services for small businesses is the simplest way to accomplish this.
In many cases, web servers provide an in-house shopping cart or an e-commerce program interface. Make sure you’re getting a solution that’s straightforward to use and adaptable enough to suit your short and long term demands by doing some research.
Booking software can also help you accept online payments and manage your appointments, making it easier than ever to run your business.
6. Promote Your Business Website
Get the word out about your new website for small business as soon as possible. Consider creating a promo for the initial wave of clients who place an online order and publish on your social media profiles. You can also create an email newsletter with your updates using your customer directory.
Don’t overlook the power of word-of-mouth advertising. Let customers and clients know about your webpage and what it can do while you’re meeting with them in person. A website URL or QR codes that direct customers to your page can be displayed on a sign outside your shop.
Using livestreams to promote your website is a great way to boost engagement. It only takes a few minutes to learn how to record a live stream on Mac.
Do It Right
As a business owner, don’t forget to focus on the basics. Remember, a business website is a minimal investment. However, to be successful, you need a good branding strategy – and that includes creating a good user experience. That way, you can reach out to more customers than you ever could through conventional marketing.
Know how to create a website for business and keep your site up-to-date with fresh content. That’s one of the easiest ways to tell your customers about everything relevant — from what your company’s doing to its new product and service offerings.
