Having a website for your business is a must in the digital era. Not only will it give potential customers a glimpse at your products or services without having to travel to a physical store, but a properly managed website also serves as an effective marketing tool for every kind of business. Here, we will discuss how you can create a website to boost your own small business.
Choose a Memorable Domain Name
Before coming up with a domain name, it’s crucial that you already have a registered business name. It can also help you avoid complications in the future in case someone else registers your business and domain name. That being said, you should have ideally set up your website and social media accounts when you registered your business name. However, if that’s not possible, check if your business name is available as a .com domain name. You can always choose a local domain or a .shop one depending on what you like or what is available. Make sure to keep it short and sweet so that customers won’t have a hard time remembering it.
Select a Reliable Web Host
A web host is where your site will actually be stored for users to access. This is why it’s essential for it to have no downtime and fast loading features. Some of the most commonly used web hosting services are from DreamHost, HostGator, and GoDaddy. Their affordable monthly plans and upgrade options make them appealing for small business owners. You can include the cost for web hosting in your overall business plan so you have a clear picture of your total online costs.
Create Different Pages
Good business websites always have more than just a home or landing page. A huge part of your effort in building a website will go into creating the different pages and filling them with high-quality content. This will also include some creativity and coding skills for web design. While you can outsource this part of the process, it’s still better to know how to do it yourself so you can fully control the outcome. A cursory knowledge of web development can go a long way when tweaking your website to exact specifications, as this precision is usually achieved when coding from scratch or editing open-source code.
Secure Online Payment Methods
Making online payment methods available through your website will create a new avenue for more sales. The most convenient way to do this is by using e-commerce software. Business News Daily enumerates some of the best e-commerce software this year, with Shopify and Magento coming out on top. Shopify is best for beginners who want an easy-to-customize payment page without touching any code. On the other hand, Magento is an open-source software that lets you play around with the code to design your shop and payment options to your liking. Once again, in both cases, you can benefit from a basic understanding of web development to truly make your website look and function the way you want it to.
Overall, building a website is doable on your own if you make time to learn about web development and design. By carving your own space online, you’re also creating an accessible platform for your potential customers and partners.
