Website design tips for small business
When looking for a website for your new business, the most important factor is to keep it simple and know your limitations.
If you are opening a local hardware store you know you won’t be able to compete with B&Q overnight. B&Q are a massive company with branches all over the country selling pretty much everything you can think of and their website reflects that.
Unless you have millions of pounds in the bank to burn you will struggle to compete on the high street and online and to be honest if that’s the case I doubt very much you will be reading this in the first place.
Your website should reflect your branding and give the same message to your customers all your other advertising and sales strategy does. The chances are anyone who hears about you whether it is word of mouth, advertising or via direct sales they will look at your website before making a purchasing decision.
If your website fails to impress the chances are so will your business.
This does not mean you need to spend £1000’s on your first website it just means it needs to look professional and send a clear message to anyone looking to use your company.
Website design tips for small business
What do you do?
It sounds obvious but in the modern world of Media people try to be clever and cool and often forget that they know what they do but not everyone looking for your product/service does. Don’t give any mixed messages on this point be sure your potential customer knows he is in the right place.
What is your unique selling point?
This is the basis for all marketing, and if you have a marketing strategy, you’ll already know the answer to this. If you do not have marketing strategy GET ONE. It maybe you offer the cheapest product/service in your market or you may offer a quality service, whatever it is make sure it is on view for everyone to see.
What is the purpose of your website?
Is it to provide information on your products or services? Are you looking to sell online? Is the main function of the website to get more customers to your business or is it a bolt on to your business that you expect to make a stand alone profit.
How will you measure your websites success?
A website can be a great marketing tool, but how do you know if it’s working for you? What action do you want your potential customer to carry out for you to class the website as a success? Is it to call you or fill in an enquiry form? Or maybe sign up to a newsletter or buy online. Whatever your measurement is be very clear from the start.
What is your budget?
Before you start make sure you have some sort of idea how much you want or can afford to spend. Getting a new website is like everything else you buy, you tend to get what you pay for, if your budget is limited don’t get carried away with fancy ideas. Fancy idea’s cost money and anyone trying to tell you differently is lying. That doesn’t mean you can’t get a good website at a reasonable price, but like buying a car you won’t get a very good Ferrari with a budget for a Ford Fiesta. Yes you can buy either for £10,000 but the Ferrari is not going to be like the one on Top Gear.
Websites can be built to any budget and it often helps to talk candidly to a web designer about your needs and your budget, hopefully they can make suggestions that bridge the gap between need and cost and deliver you a quality website within budget.
Here at Monkfish Web Design we offer a wide variety of website solutions at affordable prices with Brochure Websites starting at £499.
Small Business Websites:
- 1 Hour Consultation
- 4 Menu Pages
- Template Design
- SEO Friendly & Free Submissions to major search engines
- Email Contact Form
- Free 12 months hosting
- Free .co.uk Domain registration
- 5 Free Email Accounts
- FREE Control Panel Access
Recommended for: Small start up companies looking for website presence