Your Website Questions: Answered

Well, maybe ‘need’ is the wrong word to use. Of course it’s possible to run a business without a website, and be successful. Some small business owners may think that their business is too small to warrant a website. But if you’re serious about being successful in whatever it is you do, even the smallest of businesses should have a website - whether you’re selling jam at local markets or are a plumber servicing your close-knit community. 

 

More and more people rely solely on searching online for products and services and if they can’t find your website, then they’ll turn to the businesses they can find online - your competition. Plus, if you have ambitions to scale up your business, automate services, sell more products, reduce outgoing costs, and generate inbound inquiries, then a website will help you do this. A website creates an online presence, promoting your business in a number of ways: 

 

 

Different websites have different purposes, but principally, it’s to promote your products or services to visitors and turn them into customers. It provides all the relevant information about your business: what you do, how you do it, why you do it, and how people can contact you. 

 

When designing your website, keep in mind the following: 

 

 

Different website users are looking for different things from a website, such as ease of use, quality of content, and functionality. From a design perspective, there are several key aspects to a good website: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now you know why you need a website and what makes a good website, it’s time to decide whether to build it yourself or hire a professional website designer. Let’s look at the two options in more detail. 

For many, particularly start-ups, online website builders are an attractive option, predominantly because they are cost-effective; well, at first glance anyway. Often, by the time you’ve added the necessary apps and widgets to ensure the right functionality for your website, you’ll find the price has increased considerably. Building your own website starts with a basic template – you can choose from hundreds, some of which are free, some of which require a payment. Most online website builder providers offer packages that include limited functionality and customisation. That said, if you need a very simple website whereby your imagery does most of the talking, such as a gallery, this could be the right option for you.  

 

The drawback is that whilst providers say you can build a website within an hour, you’d be hard pushed to achieve this, even if you have some experience. The very basic templates are relatively easy to use for a beginner but they won’t provide you with a website that necessarily impresses users. Most online website builder packages don’t incorporate search engine optimisation (SEO) functionality, neither are they optimised for mobile devices. With a significant rise in the number of people searching online via their mobiles, 82% according to the Federation of Small Businesses, this has become a critical factor for websites. 

Whilst the cost initially may seem more, in the long run hiring a professional website designer is often more cost-effective and stress-free. A web designer will include all the functionality you require in your website not just for the next six months, but longer term. This means that as your business grows and you want to make changes to your website, the functionality is already in place to adapt your website according to your needs. As your website is being built from scratch, you can be as creative as you like. Your web designer is able to customise your website according to your wishes, now and in the future. The next question is, do you opt for a national or a local website provider? 

 

 

Smaller, freelance website designers can be a suitable option for small businesses, although they won’t always be able to offer the best in security features or CMS systems. Most use open-source CMS systems based on WordPress, Drupal, or Joomla which could cause a problem with updates and the login process. It can also take longer for freelance web designers to build the website you desire as they don’t have the resources of a national provider. However, you will probably get much better support and communication, and they are more likely to listen to what you really want out of your website. 

 

This is the biggest question of all, particularly if you’re a start-up or small business. When hiring a professional website designer, the costs typically incorporate a set-up fee and a monthly fee that includes the web hosting, domain name renewal, and ongoing support. The cost of your website depends on a variety of factors. The first consideration is a self-build website. Whilst these are cheaper on the face of it, by the time you’ve added the necessary functionality for your website; paid for the relevant apps; optimised for mobile devices; and incorporated SEO, it could well end up being rather expensive in terms of both your money and your time. 

 

If you opt to go with a large design agency, be prepared to pay a lot more but expect far more for your money. Smaller, freelance website designers also offer cost-effective packages for most businesses depending on your requirements, but won’t necessarily be able to offer the same level of ongoing support, without billing per hour which can add up. Looking to create a new website for your business? At it’seeze, we make website design easy, flexible, and cost-effective; offering all the benefits of working with a national web design company with the added perks of a local, friendly, and supportive service. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our affordable web design services and how we can create the website of your dreams and turn your business into a success. 

 

Not sure if your current website is working for you? We offer a free website audit that identifies the areas where improvements can be made, providing you with tailored recommendations and simple, actionable advice to get it back on track.