Many small business owners think they are too small to have a website or that they do not offer a product or service that can be sold online. In either case, they think wrong.
The internet is intertwined in nearly every aspect of our lives. We use it to gather information, research products, evaluate purchase options, locate an address, learn about a company, and more. Your customers do the same thing, so if you are not on the web then your business may be in big trouble.
Why a website?
A website does not have to be expensive. Start up costs for a basic website typically include domain registration, site design, site set up, and site hosting. Depending on the number of pages and features you want, it is generally possible to get a professional-looking website up and running for $500 to $700. Monthly maintenance fees typically range from $25 on up, depending on the level of services you select.
It's very simple. Most people use the internet in some capacity to search for information, so a website is often your first point of contact with potential customers and other interested parties. With this simple tool, you can make it easy and convenient to do business with you.
Even if your product or service is not suitable for selling online, a good website is still a necessity for providing information and presenting a polished, professional image.
Isn't it expensive creating and maintaining a website?
Not at all. I'm going to show you how to create a great looking site for less than $20.
Here is an important point to remember: as with most things, you will probably get what you pay for, so this is one business expense that you should consider building into the budget at a bit higher level. A website is your online "face" so it is important to make it as professional and attractive as possible.
Step 1: Register a Domain Name.
This name will be the name of your business, your store or even your own name. I use Name Secure. There are many others, including: domains.com, domain.com, etc. or you can locate your own country's domain registrar and get your domain there. For example .ag is for Antigua
Step 2: Set up a WordPress Blog.
Go to WordPress.com
Register your name there, and follow the simple instructions.
WordPress.com allows you to use WordPress for your hosting, instead of you purchasing hosting. (Remember hosting is like renting space on the World Wide Web)
You can then forward your domain name to your WordPress site so you can tell your friends and customers how to find your new site.
Step 3: What should I put on my website?
Consider starting with a basic website that includes the following information:
Home page - First stop for visitors; should contain key pieces of information about your enterprise, as well as address, phone number, and any branding information that you want to be associated with your business.
Business/personal profile - A brief overview of your business, including key information that will help the visitor better understand why you and your business are qualified to meet their needs.
Products and services page - Presentation of your products and/or services; may require more than one page if your product/service offerings are extensive.
Contact page - Address, phone number, e-mail address and general information on how to get in touch with you. May include a hyperlink that opens up a blank e-mail message or a form that can be filled out and submitted.
How good does the website really need to be?
Your website needs to be just as good as you are. Nothing deters a potential customer more quickly than going to a website that is poorly designed, poorly written or otherwise unattractive. You wouldn't show up for a job interview in jeans and a t-shirt, so don't show up to online visitors in anything less than the professional manner by which you conduct yourself.
Many experts even go so far as to say that the quality of a website is so important that it is better not to have one at all than to have one that shows you or your business in a poor light. Just as you would not allow customers to see your office with peeling paint, dirty carpets or broken windows, neither should you allow your customers to visit a website that is confusing, poorly written or just plain bad.
So, get started today and get your website up!
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