Almost every business has or should have a website. A website is one of the essential pieces of business marketing and advertising efforts. It is often the first place potential customers will go to learn about a company and what it has to offer.
According to recent studies, over 80% of businesses believe their website is essential to their success. Additionally, nearly 60% of companies say that their website is their number one source for leads. This shows that having a well-designed and well-maintained website is critical for any business looking to grow.
A website can help businesses reach new customers, connect with current customers, and sell products and services online. There are many ways a website can benefit a business, but some of the most important include:
- Increased visibility: A website can help businesses reach new customers through search engines and social media.
- Increased credibility: A website can help businesses appear more credible to potential customers.
- Increased sales: A website can help businesses sell products and services online, increasing sales.
- Increased customer loyalty: A website can help businesses connect with current customers and build customer loyalty.
Everything will increase when you have a website. However, you might not know where to start. Here are a few tips to help you build an effective one.
Utilize a Free Website Builder
Many small businesses utilize social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram to reach their target audiences. While social media platforms are excellent marketing tools, they should not get used as a company’s primary website. A social media page can be linked to and from a business website, but the website should be the main focus.
The first step in creating a website is to choose a platform or utilize a free website builder. Some popular website builders include WordPress, Wix, and Weebly. Once you have chosen a forum, you must select a domain name (ex: www.example.com) and hosting package.
Building a website from those platforms is usually pretty simple and requires no coding knowledge. Utilizing a free website builder is an excellent start if you have never made a website.
Hire a Web Designer
If you do not want to use a free website builder or you want a more custom website, you will need to hire a web designer. A web designer will create a custom website for your business based on your specific needs and goals.
When hiring a web designer, it is essential to:
- Define your goals: Before meeting with any designers, you should know what you want your website to accomplish. Do you want to increase sales? Connect with new customers? Increase brand awareness? Knowing your goals will help you find a designer that is a good fit for your business.
- Look at portfolios: When meeting with potential designers, be sure to ask to see examples of their previous work. This will give you a good idea of their style and skills.
- Get a proposal: Once you have chosen a designer, get a detailed proposal outlining the scope of work and cost. This will help ensure that there are no surprises down the road.
Building a website can be a significant investment, but it is essential for any business looking to grow. If you need help making your website from a free site builder, you should consider getting a WordPress developer; they will help you turn your website into a powerful marketing tool.
Make It SEO-Friendly
If you want your website to be successful, it needs to be visible to potential customers. That’s where search engine optimization (SEO) can help significantly. SEO is the process of optimizing a website for Google’s search algorithm so that it appears higher in search results.
Many factors go into SEO, but some of the most important include:
- Keywords: Identifying and using relevant keywords on your website can help Google match your site with customer searches.
- Meta descriptions: Meta descriptions are the summaries that appear under a website’s title in search results. Creating compelling meta descriptions can help increase click-through rates from Google.
- Content: Creating high-quality content relevant to your customers can help improve your website’s SEO.
Many other factors contribute to a website’s SEO, but these are some of the most important. If your website is successful, you must ensure it gets optimized for search engines.
Make It Mobile-Friendly
Another essential factor to consider when creating a website is mobile friendliness. More and more people are using their phones and tablets to access the internet, so your website must be designed for mobile devices.
Some things to keep in mind when making a mobile-friendly website include:
- Simplicity: A mobile-friendly website should be simple and easy to navigate. Too much clutter can make it difficult for users to find what they desire.
- Responsive design: A responsive website will adjust to fit any screen size, whether a phone, tablet, or desktop computer. This is essential for providing a good user experience on all devices.
- Load time: Mobile users are often impatient, so it is essential to make sure your website loads quickly. If it takes too long, users will likely give up and go to another site.
Making a website mobile-friendly is essential for any business looking to grow its online presence. With more and more people using their phones and tablets to access the internet, you must ensure your site gets designed for mobile devices.
Final Thoughts
Building a website is a significant investment, but it is essential for any business looking to grow. A well-designed website can help you increase sales, connect with new customers, and increase brand awareness.
When building a website, a few things to keep in mind, such as making it SEO-friendly and mobile-friendly. By following these tips, you can create a website to help your business succeed.