Think about it: how do you usually find information about a business? Chances are, you search for it online, right? Well, the same goes for potential customers who are looking for your small business. Having a website not only makes it easier for people to find you, but it also helps you establish a professional and credible online presence.
Why have a website?
A website allows you to showcase your products or services, provide important information about your business, and even sell your products directly online. It’s like having a virtual storefront that’s open 24/7, so even when you’re not physically open, potential customers can still learn about what you have to offer.
Plus, having a website can also help you stand out from your competitors. If a potential customer is comparing your business to another one that doesn’t have a website, who do you think they’ll choose? Probably the one with the website, because it shows that you’re serious about your business and that you care about your customers’ experience.
In short, having a website is a must-have for small businesses in today’s digital age. It can help you reach more customers, establish credibility, and stand out from your competition.
Things to consider when building a website
In this article we will jump straight into the major topics to consider when building a website for your new business. Topics we will cover include:
- Hiring an Agency vs. Using a Page Builder
- Planning Your Website
- Designing Your Website
- Developing Your Website
- Launching Your Website
- Maintaining Your Website
- Cost to build a website
Hiring an Agency vs. Using a Page Builder
When it comes to building a website for your small business, you have two main options: hiring an agency or using a page builder. Each option has its pros and cons, and deciding which one is right for your business depends on several factors.
Pros and Cons of Hiring an Agency
Hiring an agency to build your website can be a great choice if you have a larger budget and want a custom-designed website that’s tailored to your specific needs. Here are some pros and cons to consider:
Pros:
- Custom design: With an agency, you’ll get a website that’s uniquely designed for your business. This can help you stand out from your competition and create a strong brand identity.
- Expertise: Agencies typically have a team of professionals with specialized skills, such as web designers, developers, and SEO experts. This means you’ll have access to a wide range of expertise to ensure your website is top-notch.
- Time savings: Building a website from scratch can be time-consuming, especially if you’re not familiar with web design. Hiring an agency can free up your time to focus on other aspects of your business.
Cons:
- Cost: Hiring an agency can be expensive, especially if you want a custom-designed website with advanced features.
- Communication: Working with an agency can sometimes be challenging if communication isn’t clear or there are differences in expectations.
- Timeline: Building a custom website can take longer than using a page builder, especially if there are revisions or changes to the design.
Pros and Cons of Using a Page Builder
Using a page builder to create your website can be a great choice if you have a smaller budget or want more control over the design process. Here are some pros and cons to consider:
Pros:
- Cost: Using a page builder is typically less expensive than hiring an agency, especially if you choose a free or low-cost option.
- Control: Page builders give you more control over the design and layout of your website, so you can create a website that’s more closely aligned with your vision.
- Speed: Page builders can be faster than building a custom website from scratch, especially if you use pre-designed templates.
Cons:
- Limitations: Page builders can be limiting if you want advanced features or custom design elements that aren’t available in the templates.
- Learning curve: Using a page builder can take some time to learn, especially if you’re not familiar with web design.
- Support: Support for page builders can vary, depending on the platform you choose.
Factors to Consider When Deciding
Between the Two Options When deciding between hiring an agency and using a page builder, there are several factors to consider:
Budget: How much can you afford to spend on building your website?
Timeline: How quickly do you need your website up and running?
Design needs: Do you need a custom-designed website or can you work with pre-designed templates?
Control: How much control do you want over the design and layout of your website?
Expertise: Do you have the expertise to build a website yourself, or do you need the help of professionals?
Support: How important is support to you? Will you need ongoing support after your website is built?
So when it comes to choosing whether you hire an agency or use a page builder they both have their pros and cons. The decision ultimately depends on your budget, timeline, design needs, level of control, expertise, and support requirements. We hope this blog post has helped you weigh the pros and cons of each option and make an informed decision for your small business.
Planning Your Website: A Step-by-Step Guide
Building a website for your small business can be a daunting task, but with proper planning, it can be a lot easier than you think. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to plan your website, including identifying your target audience and defining your goals, outlining your website structure and content, and choosing a domain name and hosting provider.
Identifying Your Target Audience and Defining Your Goals
Before you start building your website, you need to identify your target audience and define your goals. Who is your website for? What do you want visitors to do when they come to your site? Answering these questions will help you create a website that is tailored to your audience’s needs and meets your business goals.
To identify your target audience, consider factors such as age, gender, location, interests, and behavior. Once you have a clear understanding of your audience, you can create content and design your website to appeal to them.
Next, define your goals for your website.
Do you want visitors to buy your products or services, sign up for your newsletter, or contact you for more information?
Make sure your website is designed with these goals in mind, so visitors can easily find what they need and take the desired action.
Outlining Your Website Structure and Content
Once you’ve identified your target audience and defined your goals, it’s time to outline your website structure and content. A well-organized website structure can make it easier for visitors to find what they’re looking for, and well-written content can help persuade them to take the desired action.
Start by creating a sitemap, which is a visual representation of your website’s structure. A sitemap will help you identify the main pages of your website and how they’re connected.
Next, create a content plan for each page of your website. This should include headlines, subheadings, body text, and calls to action. Make sure your content is easy to read, relevant to your audience, and supports your business goals.
Choosing a Domain Name and Hosting Provider
Finally, it’s time to choose a domain name and hosting provider for your website. Your domain name is the address people will use to find your website (e.g., www.startyourown.com.au), so it’s important to choose a name that’s easy to remember and relevant to your business.
When choosing a hosting provider, consider factors such as reliability, security, speed, and customer support. You’ll want a provider that can handle your website’s traffic and provide the necessary resources to keep your website running smoothly.
Planning your website is an important step in building a successful online presence for your small business. By identifying your target audience and defining your goals, outlining your website structure and content, and choosing a domain name and hosting provider, you can create a website that meets your business needs and appeals to your target audience. With the right planning and execution, your website can be a powerful tool to help you grow your business.
Designing Your Website: Tips for Success
Your website is often the first point of contact with potential customers, so it’s important to make a good impression. In this article, we’ll walk you through some tips for designing a website that looks great, is user-friendly, and meets accessibility standards.
Choosing a Template or Custom Design
The first step in designing your website is choosing a template or creating a custom design. There are pros and cons to both options, so it’s important to consider your needs and budget.
Using a template can save you time and money, as the design work has already been done. However, your website may not be unique, and you may have limited customization options.
Creating a custom design allows you to create a website that is tailored to your brand and stands out from the competition. However, custom designs can be more expensive and take longer to create.
Creating a Visual Identity
Your website’s visual identity is a key component of its design. This includes elements such as your logo, color scheme, typography, and imagery.
Your logo should be simple, memorable, and relevant to your brand. Your color scheme should be consistent across your website and reflect your brand’s personality. Your typography should be easy to read, and your imagery should be high-quality and relevant to your content.
Designing for Usability and Accessibility
Usability and accessibility are important considerations when designing your website. Usability refers to how easy it is for visitors to navigate and interact with your website. Accessibility refers to how well your website can be used by people with disabilities.
To design for usability, consider factors such as site structure, navigation, and calls to action. Make sure your website is easy to navigate, and important information is easy to find. Use clear and concise language, and make sure your calls to action stand out.
To design for accessibility, consider factors such as contrast, font size, and keyboard navigation. Make sure your website has sufficient color contrast, and use font sizes that are easy to read. Ensure that your website can be navigated using a keyboard, as many people with disabilities rely on this feature.
Designing your website is an important step in creating a successful online presence for your small business. By choosing a template or custom design, creating a visual identity, and designing for usability and accessibility, you can create a website that looks great and meets the needs of your target audience. With the right design, your website can be a powerful tool to help you grow your business.
Developing Your Website
Once you have designed your website, it’s time to develop the content and integrate third-party tools to optimize your website for search engines and social media. In this article, we’ll provide tips for developing your website and making it more visible to potential customers.
Writing Content
One of the most important components of your website is your content. This includes your homepage, product or service pages, about us page, and any blog or news sections.
When writing your content, keep your target audience in mind. Use language that speaks to their needs and pain points, and highlight the benefits of your product or service. Use clear and concise language, and avoid jargon or technical terms that may be confusing.
It’s also important to make your content scannable. Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points to break up large blocks of text, and use images or videos to illustrate your points.
Optimising for Search Engines
Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of optimizing your website to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). There are many factors that influence your website’s SEO, including your content, site structure, and backlinks.
To optimise your website for search engines, start by conducting keyword research. Identify the keywords and phrases that your target audience is searching for, and use these keywords throughout your content and meta tags.
Make sure your website is well-structured and easy to navigate. Use descriptive URLs, and make sure your website has a clear hierarchy of pages. Use internal linking to connect related pages, and make sure your website is mobile-friendly.
Integrating Third-Party Tools
Integrating third-party tools can help you track website traffic, monitor social media mentions, and analyze user behavior. Some popular third-party tools include Google Analytics, Hootsuite, and SendinBlue.
Google Analytics is a free tool that provides valuable insights into your website’s traffic and user behavior. You can use it to track page views, bounce rates, and conversion rates, as well as to identify which pages are performing well and which pages need improvement.
Hootsuite is a social media management tool that allows you to monitor mentions of your brand on social media, schedule posts, and track engagement. You can use it to streamline your social media efforts and make sure your brand is staying top of mind with your target audience.
SendinBlue is an email marketing tool that allows you to send newsletters, promotional emails, and other types of emails to your subscribers. You can use it to build email lists, design email templates, and track email performance.
Developing your website is an ongoing process that requires ongoing attention and optimization. By creating high-quality content, optimizing for search engines, and integrating third-party tools, you can improve your website’s visibility and effectiveness. With the right development strategy, your website can be a powerful tool to help you grow your business.
Launching your website
After months of hard work and planning, it’s time to launch your website. But before you hit that publish button, there are a few things you need to do to ensure a successful launch. In this article, we’ll cover the key steps to take when launching your website, including testing, security, and promotion.
Testing Your Website
Before you launch your website, it’s important to test it thoroughly to ensure everything is working as it should be. This includes testing all the links on your website, testing your contact forms, and making sure all your images and videos are loading properly.
It’s also a good idea to test your website on different devices and browsers to make sure it’s responsive and looks good across all platforms. This will help you catch any issues before your website goes live.
Setting Up Security Measures
Security is a critical aspect of launching your website. You want to make sure your website is secure from hackers and other malicious actors. To protect your website, you should consider the following security measures:
Install an SSL certificate: An SSL certificate encrypts data transmitted between your website and your visitors, making it more difficult for hackers to intercept.
Use strong passwords: Use strong passwords for your website’s admin area, as well as for any other accounts associated with your website.
Install security plugins: Consider installing security plugins that can help protect your website from malware and other attacks.
Launching Your Website and Promoting It to Your Target Audience
Once your website is tested and secure, it’s time to launch it and promote it to your target audience. Here are some tips for a successful launch:
Announce your launch: Send out an email to your subscribers, post about your launch on social media, and consider running a small advertising campaign to generate buzz.
Monitor your website’s performance: Use analytics tools to track your website’s traffic and user behavior, and make adjustments as needed.
Engage with your audience: Respond to comments and feedback on your website and social media, and actively engage with your audience to build relationships and create a sense of community.
Launching your website is an exciting milestone, but it’s important to take the necessary steps to ensure a successful launch. By testing your website, setting up security measures, and promoting it to your target audience, you can increase your chances of a successful launch and set yourself up for long-term success. With a well-planned launch strategy, your website can be a valuable asset for your business.
Maintaining Your Website: Tips for Keeping Your Site Running Smoothly
Your website is an important asset for your business, but it’s not a “set it and forget it” kind of thing.
To keep your website running smoothly and effectively, it’s important to regularly maintain it. In this article, we’ll cover the key steps to take when maintaining your website, including updating content and design, monitoring performance, ensuring security, and updating software and plugins.
Updating Content and Design
Regularly updating your website’s content and design is important for keeping it fresh and engaging for your audience. Here are some tips for updating your website:
Review and update content: Review your website’s content regularly and update it as needed. This includes blog posts, product descriptions, and any other information on your website.
Refresh design elements: Keep your website’s design up-to-date by refreshing elements like color schemes, fonts, and images.
Add new content: Consider adding new content to your website on a regular basis, such as blog posts, videos, or infographics. This will help keep your audience engaged and coming back for more.
Monitoring Website Performance
Monitoring your website’s performance is important for identifying issues and making improvements. Here are some things to monitor:
Site speed: Check your website’s speed regularly to ensure it’s loading quickly. A slow website can negatively impact user experience and SEO.
Traffic sources: Use analytics tools to track where your website’s traffic is coming from. This can help you identify which marketing channels are working best.
User behavior: Monitor user behavior on your website, such as how long they spend on each page and which pages they visit most often. This can help you identify areas for improvement.
Ensuring Website Security
Keeping your website secure is critical for protecting your business and your customers.
Here are some tips for ensuring website security:
Use strong passwords: Use strong passwords for your website’s admin area, as well as for any other accounts associated with your website.
Keep software up-to-date: Keep your website’s software and plugins up-to-date to ensure any security vulnerabilities are patched.
Use security plugins: Consider using security plugins that can help protect your website from malware and other attacks.
Updating Website Software and Plugins
Regularly updating your website’s software and plugins is important for ensuring security and improving performance.
Here are some tips for updating your website:
Backup your website: Before updating any software or plugins, be sure to backup your website in case something goes wrong.
Update regularly: Keep your website’s software and plugins up-to-date to ensure they’re running smoothly and securely.
Test after updating: After updating any software or plugins, test your website thoroughly to ensure everything is working as it should be.
Maintaining your website is an ongoing process, but it’s important for keeping your website running smoothly and effectively.
By updating content and design, monitoring performance, ensuring security, and updating software and plugins, you can keep your website up-to-date and running smoothly.
With a well-maintained website, you can continue to attract and engage your audience and achieve your business goals.
Website Development Costs
What to Expect When Building Your Website
Building a website is an essential part of establishing a strong online presence for your business.
However, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the costs associated with website development. In this article, we’ll cover the estimated costs of hiring an agency vs. using a page builder, as well as additional costs to consider when building your website.
Cost Estimates for Hiring an Agency
Hiring a web development agency is a good option if you’re looking for a custom-designed website with advanced functionality.
Here are some rough cost estimates for hiring an agency:
- Basic website: $2,500 to $5,000
- Mid-range website: $5,000 to $10,000
- High-end website: $10,000 to $50,000+
These estimates can vary depending on the agency, the complexity of the project, and the level of customization required.
Cost Estimates for Using a Page Builder
Using a page builder is a more cost-effective option for building a website. Page builders allow you to create a website using pre-built templates and drag-and-drop design tools. Here are some rough cost estimates for using a page builder:
- Basic website: $0 to $500
- Mid-range website: $500 to $2,000
- High-end website: $2,000 to $5,000
These estimates can vary depending on the page builder, the complexity of the project, and the level of customisation required.
Additional Costs to Consider
In addition to the development costs, there are some additional costs to consider when building a website:
Hosting: You’ll need to pay for web hosting to make your website accessible on the internet. Hosting costs can range from $5 to $50 per month depending on the provider and the level of service.
Domain registration: You’ll also need to register a domain name for your website. Domain registration fees typically range from $10 to $20 per year.
Third-party tools: You may need to use third-party tools for things like analytics, email marketing, or social media integration. The cost of these tools can vary depending on the provider and the level of service.
Maintenance: Once your website is up and running, you’ll need to maintain it to keep it running smoothly. Maintenance costs can include things like software updates, security, and content updates.
Building a website can be a significant investment, but it’s an important one for establishing an online presence for your business.
Whether you choose to hire an agency or use a page builder, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the estimated costs involved. By considering the development costs as well as the additional costs of hosting, domain registration, and third-party tools, you can budget accordingly and ensure a successful website launch.
Note: The costs mentioned will vary widely depending on the specific requirements and needs of your business. It’s important to do thorough research and get quotes from multiple sources before making a decision.