There is No Better Time to Go Online

Now more than ever people need to utilise the power of the internet to move their business online.  To keep themselves and/or their families afloat, some people may be turning to entrepreneurship for the first time to start an online business.  Either way if you are new to online marketing or having to pivot your business from a social media to a website ‘shop front’:

 

How do you design your first small business website (in 8 steps)?

1.       Decide on a website hosting provider (companies that rent out their server space to keep all your webpages and give easy access to your website over the internet) that you are going to use and create and register a domain name for your business.

2.       Decide if you are going to build it yourself using a website template package (e.g. WordPress, Fasthosts, Wix, Squarespace) or procure a web developer to build and design from scratch. The former is a cost effective one stop shop for web hosting, domain name registration and creating business emails. While the latter, is more expensive but with a clear brief, you get a customised website to your taste and specific business needs.

3.       Do a website audit of 3 of your competitors and a website outside of your industry to generate brand and content ideas.

4.       Put together a 2-page brand book to cover the look, feel and image of your website e.g. colours, fonts, photos, typography, infographics etc that would resonate with your ideal customer

5.       Design your website with the user experience (UX) front of mind. Sitemaps help to layout how your customers will navigate your website from beginning to end.

6.       Make your web copy SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) friendly so you can be found in google when people do a keyword search

7.       Use royalty and copyright free photos,  images and music; and if not ensure you have written permission from the original source to use them. 

8.       Make sure your website is legally compliant e.g. Copyright, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy (if relevant) and GDPR

 

Remember, the purpose of your small business website is to do what I call the 3C’s: 

  • CONNECT to your ideal customers and community
  • CAPTURE the names and email addresses of actual and potential clients for your email list and sales pipeline
  • CONVERT browsers into buyers

 

Want to know more?

If you are looking for ideas on how to put yourself and your business in a position to help and serve during these Coronavirus times listen to Jasmine Star’s podcast titled ‘The Impact of COVID-19 on Your Business: How to Grow in Uncertain Times.’ here. 

New to online marketing? Thinking about getting or growing your business online? Check out these ‘Online Coaching Masterclasses’ here. 

If this article inspired you, please do share with others and tag me in @thebizoflife2 #InthisTogether


Are you a woman in business? Have a start-up or business advice story to share to ‘inspire and aspire’ our community?

Email me @: info@3csdigital.co.uk