A website is the first step towards building a long-term relationship with your customers – and it’s also one of the most important components of local search. With so many options, it can be difficult to choose which design company is right for you. Some designers promise to build you an “instant website” or “build it yourself” while others rely on experience and skill set to create something that will tell your story in a way that resonates with both your customers and Google.
Why do you need a business website?
To answer the question “why do you need a business website?”, we need to understand the purpose of a website for any business. A website is an online property that allows you to market your brand and sell products or services via the internet.
- In order to market your business, it’s important to have an online presence using social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. However, these sites aren’t optimized for eCommerce (sales). They’re designed solely for brand awareness and customer loyalty campaigns. If you want people to visit your site so they can buy something from it – then having a local-optimized site is essential!
- Websites can also increase sales by increasing traffic within your area as well as nationally/internationally through SEO (search engine optimization) techniques like local SEO or organic search engine optimization.*
How much does a small business website cost?
You might be surprised to learn that the cost of building a website can vary greatly depending on several factors. For example, the size and complexity of your company’s website will affect its price. The same goes for how many pages you need and how much time your designer needs to spend on it. In addition, there are several different types of websites available:
- Static HTML websites are inexpensive, but they don’t have all the features that the more complex options do.
- WordPress templates can save you money because they include free themes that come with built-in features such as contact forms and shopping carts. They also allow you to customize them using plugins like MailChimp or Google Analytics to make them more tailored for your business needs and budget.
- Custom design is by far the most expensive option because it involves working directly with an experienced web designer who will create custom layouts from scratch based on your specifications (and budget).
How to design a business website from the ground up?
A good website design can be the difference between attracting new customers and losing them. You need to think about who your target audience is, what features and styles are important for that audience and what will help you stand out in the crowd.
Most importantly, when looking for web design services, make sure that the company understands what is needed for your business including
- The look of their sites so that you get a sense of how they present themselves online;
- The kind of information displayed on their homepages;
- A portfolio of work that shows how they approach different types of websites (eCommerce, photography, etc.).
What key points should be considered when choosing a design company?
- The company should have experience in designing websites for small businesses. They should also be able to demonstrate that they have successfully done so.
- The design firm must keep your budget in mind when designing your website, and the final product should be within that budget.
- You need a company that provides excellent customer support before, during, and after the creation of your website. If you have questions or concerns regarding their services, you want to know it’s easy to get answers from them as soon as possible!
- Make sure to check out what other people say about this company before hiring them for this project; if they don’t look like they can deliver on your expectations then why even bother using them?
What are the criteria for a good web design for small businesses?
Good web design is important for any business, but it’s especially critical for small businesses. A poorly designed site can make your company look unprofessional and hinder conversions.
Here are some qualities that make a website good:
- Mobile-friendly: The first thing people will notice about your site is whether or not it works on mobile devices. If you want customers to be able to access your website on the go, then you need to have one that’s responsive.
- SEO-optimized: Search engine optimization (SEO) refers to the process of improving the visibility of web pages in search engines like Google and Bing by increasing their ranking or prominence in organic search results.
This includes focusing content around keywords and phrases that people might search for when looking for information about products or services like yours.
How to build and launch an effective e-commerce site for your business?
Your e-commerce site is the first impression for your customers. If it doesn’t look professional, it can hurt your image and drive away potential customers. In order to have an effective e-commerce website, here are some of the key things to consider:
- Choose a good web hosting provider.
- Choose a good e-commerce platform.
- Choose a good payment gateway.
- Choose a good shipping partner.
- Create an effective content strategy.
- Create an effective SEO strategy.
Bottom Line.
DIY isn’t for everyone. You shouldn’t be designing a website because you think it’s fun or that you have a great new idea. Websites are your best bet to capture the interest of your current and potential customers, and it’s best to hire professionals (SCI Digital) who know what they’re doing.
When considering designers, look for experience and reviews. Seek out a designer who has an understanding of your industry, knows what they’re doing, and will give you the most bang for your buck.
