Rolling through 2021, 72% of small businesses have websites. This sounds like a great stat (and it is), but this means that more than one in four businesses still don’t have an online presence.
Are you guilty as charged? We understand that, as a busy business owner, there are only so many hours in the day. Building a business website has probably been on your to-do list for a while, but you haven’t yet made it a priority.
Times are changing, and it’s time to get on board the digital bandwagon. Here’s your step-by-step guide to creating and running a business website.
1. Choose Your Domain Name
Depending on the type of business you run, this first step may be a breeze — or a real challenge.
Ideally, you want to match your domain name to your business name, but most popular domains are already taken. If your business is “Mary’s Cookies” or “Joe’s Deli,” you’ll quickly find that maryscookies.com and joesdeli.com are already taken.
This just means you’ll have to get more creative with the domain name. Keep it short and sweet, as well as easy to say and spell. You may have more luck with something like maryscookies.net or joesnydeli.com.
2. Set Up Website Hosting
Just like renting a physical apartment or office space, you have to “rent” virtual real estate for your website. You do this through a hosting provider such as:
- BlueHost
- GoDaddy
- HostGator
- Hostinger
- DreamHost
Services and pricing plans vary, so it’s worth doing some research to find a provider that suits both your needs and your budget.
3. Select Your Builder
Next, you need to decide what type of business website you want to create.
Do you need a basic website that includes a few pages about your company, products, and contact information? You’ll do well with a basic WordPress site, which powers nearly 40% of the entire internet.
On the other hand, do you want to launch a virtual store and offer online shopping options? You may do better with an ecommerce platform such as Wix, Shopify, or Squarespace.
4. Create High-Quality Content
You want to dazzle users when they land on your website, so your final step is to fill it with rich, attractive content.
Use high-quality stock images or, if you’re selling your own products, hire a professional photographer. Want to display more than one image of a certain product? Use a tool like WooCommerce Variant Images to display detailed photos that will help you sell more products.
You also need to give careful consideration to your copy, or writing, on your website. It should be error-free and easy to read, as well as SEO-optimized for search engine results. Learn the basics of SEO or work with a web professional to ensure your website will be readily visible online.
Start Building a Business Website Today
If you’ve been intimidated by the thought of building a business website, hopefully this article has helped to ease your concerns. Whether you choose to DIY or hire a professional, don’t delay! The success of your business depends on it.
Want to learn more about web development, online shopping, or general business advice? Keep browsing our site for other helpful articles.
About Carson Derrow
