7 Tips Building Small Business Websites

Do not become overwhelmed by the idea of having a business website. If it’s your first time, be sure you talk with a number of web designers, so you can see if their personality is a good fit with yours. A website is a collaboration between two people and a lot of information will have to be exchanged between the business owner and the website designer.

When you hire them, the website designer will give you a list of things he or she will need from you to design this digital store front for you, so you will have to do some homework to make this happen. You will need to write out the verbiage for each page and make sure all the grammar is correct.

If you want them to use some of your own photography, you will need to supply them in a timely fashion, so adjustments can be made in Photoshop. Many people do not have their own photos, so I suggest using a photo stock agency to find good solid images to help promote the website. Images are critical. A good web designer will know where to go for these unless you are familiar with the process.  

Building Small Business Website

1.) Start Small

Many small-business owners want too much too soon especially when it’s their first website. Start out small and build into something bigger that you can grow into. You want to have a good quality website instead of something too big too soon. This will also help you to keep the cost down. As your business grows so will your website.

2.) Make Sure It Loads Quickly

People have become impatient when it has come to slow loading websites. There are a number of reasons why website load slowly and a good designer will know how to speed it up. One of the biggest reasons is to have your images optimized correctly. Nothing slows down a site more than to have images that are too big and bloated. Correct sizing and DPI size is a huge factor.

3.) Mobile Optimization

Is it responsive? How does the website look on a cell phone? Things have changed drastically in this respect and more people than ever before are using their cell phones to use the internet. You want your website to look good on desk and laptops but also on the much smaller devices like iPads and cell phones.

Small Business Website Design Ideas

5.) Call to Action

Make that clear right from the start. Your website is a salesman and its job is to generate leads for you and your business. Have a strong Call To Action (CTA) is essential for this to happen.

• Free price quote or free consultation
• 10% off for new customers
• $75 off your purchase if you bring in this printable coupon

Make it easy for your leads to contact you. It could be a contact form or clearly visible phone number on every page. Make your CTA stand out by using a highlighted menu bar, center of page when loaded or floating side bar.

6.) Photos are Worth a Thousand Words

Content and media will tell the story of your business.

Content is the verbiage or words you will use to explain who and what your business is. But media, be it photo’s or video will give a great visual story as well. Sometimes an image can sell your business much better than anything that is written. We have become a very visual oriented society, so we need to use this media as much as possible on the website.

7.) Become Your Customer

We all have options on what we like and dislike, but you should not design your website solely on that. You want to have it designed with your customer in mind. Why is my customer here? What information do they want from it? That is a good foundation to build your website on. Put yourself in the mind of your customer at all times.

In Conclusion

If you keep these 7 Tips for Building a Small Business Website in mind you will not only have a great looking website but one that brings you more customers.

If you would like to know more about our New Website Design or graphic arts business, please give us a call our email us. 

We would love to help grow your business through digital and print media.

7 Tips Building Small Business Websites