It’s not enough to have a website for your business these digital marketing days; you have to have one. A website helps your business grow by letting you meet more people and show them what you have to offer. But how do I make a website if I’m not tech-savvy? Do not worry! To make a great website for your business, follow the steps in this guide.
Tips on How To Make a Website For Your Business
Following are some tips on how to make a website for your business:
1. Plan Your Website
You need a plan before you start building. Think about what you want your website to do. Is it to get leads, sell things, or share information? Think about your target group or the people you want to reach. Pick out the pages you need, like “Home,” “About,” “Products/Services,” and “Contact.” Plan out what you want to put on each page and any extra features you’d like to add, like a blog, an online store, or a booking system. Make a rough plan of your thoughts and write them down. This is what you’ll use to build your site.
2. Choose a Domain Name
On the internet, your domain name is like the address of your page. People type it in to find you on the web. Pick a domain name that is simple to spell and remember. It should have something to do with your job or what you do. If you can, try to get a.com because it’s the most popular and well-known. People who sell domain names are known as “domain registrars.” GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Google Domains are some well-known ones. Prices start at about $10 to $15 a year.
3. Select a Web Hosting Provider
A web host is a business that saves the files for your website and makes them available on the web. If you want to find a reliable web host, make sure they are online at least 99.9% of the time. It is important to have good customer service. Make sure they give you enough space and speed to meet your needs. Look for things that make it safe, like SSL certificates. It’s also helpful if the control screen is simple to use. Bluehost, SiteGround, and HostGator are all well-known web hosts. Prices can be anywhere from $5 to $30 a month, based on what you need.
4. Decide How to Build Your Site
Sites can be made in three main ways. A website maker is the first thing you can do. Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress.com are some of the easiest website builders for people who are just starting. They have drag-and-drop tools, and ready-made templates that you can change, and you don’t need to know how to code to use them. They’re all-in-one options that come with hosting.
A Content Management System (CMS) is the second thing you can use. CMSs give you more freedom and control. Examples are WordPress.org, Joomla, and Drupal. They fit well between being simple to use and being able to be changed to fit your needs. A CMS is something you put on your web server account. You can use themes that are already made, or you can make your own. Plug-ins and modules can be used to add features. It’s helpful to know the basics of HTML and CSS, but it’s not always required.
You could also start from scratch with the code. You have full power over this option, but you need to be very good at writing code. You should know HTML, CSS, and maybe even JavaScript. This way needs the most work and time, but it can make a truly unique site.
A site builder or WordPress is best for most small businesses. They have a good mix of functions and ease of use.
5. Design Your Website
A well-designed website looks like it was made by a professional. Keep things clean and simple. Stick to colors that go with your brand. It’s best to have dark text on a light background for easy reading. Use good pictures that are related to your business. Check to see if your site works well on phones. Put your image there and link it to your home page. Put information in order with titles and subheadings. Don’t make things look too crowded; leave enough white room. When you first start using a website builder or CMS, use a theme or design that has already been made. Then make changes to make it fit your brand and goals.
6. Create Your Content
Adding the text and pictures that tell your story and give people information is now time. Make it clear what your business does on your home page. Say something strong like “Shop Now” or “Contact Us” to get people to act. Draw attention to your main services or goods. Your “About” page should describe your business, its goals, and what makes it special. Add pictures of your team or place of work. On your Products/Services pages, be very clear about what you have to offer. Use photos or movies of good quality. If there are prices, include them and tell the customer what the perks are. Your phone number, email address, and real address (if you have one) should all be on your “Contact” page. Make it easy to get in touch by adding a contact form. Include your business hours and a map if you have a real address.
Don’t forget to use clear, simple words. As if you were talking to the customer in person. And always make sure your grammar and writing are right!
7. Add Functionality
This depends on what your business needs. You may want to add some extra things to your page. You might want to add e-commerce features so you can sell things online or a booking system so you can make meetings or reservations. A blog can be a great way to share news and get more people to your site. Using social media helps you stay in touch with your buyers. You can build your mailing list by having people sign up for your email magazine. A review or recommendation from a customer can help people trust you. A chat function can help with customer service. If you’re on a certain device, many of these can be easily added with plugins or apps.
8. Optimize for Search Engines
People should be able to find your website when they search the web. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the name for this. In your page titles, headings, and text, use important keywords. For each page, write a meta summary that is unique and useful. Make sure that your site is quick to load. Keep your URLs short and full of keywords. Fill in the blanks with writing. Make good material that addresses the concerns of your clients. Try to get other trustworthy websites to connect to yours.
9. Test Your Website
Before you go live, make sure your website works perfectly. Make sure that all of the links work. Test your forms and make sure that people can send them to you. Different computers, tablets, and smartphones should all be used to look at your site. Try it out on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, among others. Have family or friends try it out and let you know what they think.
10. Launch and Promote
As soon as everything looks good, we can start! Do not stop working, though. Inform all of your present clients about your new website to get the most out of it. On business cards and other marketing tools, put the link to your website. Post it on your social networks. Think about putting up some ads online to get more people to visit. Make sure your information is always new and correct. Using tools like Google Analytics to keep an eye on how your website is doing.
11. Maintain and Update Regularly
Sites aren’t something you can just leave alone. Check it often for broken links and fix them if you want it to keep running well and bringing in customers. Keep your information up to date so that it stays useful. As your business grows, add new things to it. For safety, make sure your software and apps are always up to date. Make regular copies of your website’s files to avoid losing them. Keep an eye on how fast and well your site works.
It takes work and time to make a website for your business, but it’s worth it. It can help you get new customers, build your name, and make your business bigger. Don’t forget that your website is likely the first thing people see about your business. Make it matter!
Need Help Creating Your Business Website?
It takes skill and time to make a great website. MacroHype can help you make a professional website that works well without having to do it all yourself. Our professional web designers can make a website just for your business that will help you stand out online. Get in touch with MacroHype right away for a free session, and we’ll help you make your business website dreams come true.