Running a small business often entails budget constraints that make outsourcing certain tasks, such as hiring a web designer, impractical. However, fear not! The process of creating a small business website yourself is not as daunting as it may seem.
In fact, there are several beginner-friendly website builders tailored to small businesses that allow you to craft a beautiful site without any prior experience. What's more, many of these tools are not only user-friendly but also budget-friendly. In this article, we will provide you with a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to create a professional small business website in nine easy steps.
How to Make a Website Step-By-Step Guide
Here is the table of contents for "How to Make a Website: A Step-by-Step Guide to Get You Going":
- Choosing a Domain Name
- Registering Your Domain and Selecting Design and Hosting Providers
- Creating Engaging Content and Useful Pages
- Search Engine Optimization for Your Website
- Reviewing Your Site Before Publishing
- Keeping Your Site Up to Date
- Frequently Asked Questions
Creating a website can be an effective sales and marketing tool for your business. Follow these five simple steps to create a website that is visually appealing and engaging to visitors.
Choosing a Domain Name
The domain name of your website should be unique and relevant to your business or professional name. This will maintain consistency in branding and can also impact your search engine rankings. Keep the following tips in mind when choosing a domain name:
When you're coming up with ideas for your domain name, remember to take these helpful suggestions into account:
- Include keywords that are relevant to your business to enhance your visibility in search engine results.
- Make sure the name is easy to spell.
- If you're having trouble generating ideas, consider using a domain name generator to help you get started.
- Choose a name that's brief and easy for visitors to recall.
- Avoid using abbreviations, acronyms, hyphens, and numbers.
- Opt for traditional top-level domains, such as .com or .net, or one that aligns best with your business or purpose.
- Verify that nobody else is already using your desired domain name. Purchasing a domain from someone else may be expensive, so you might be better off selecting a different name or using a different top-level domain like .net instead.
Register Your Domain and Pick Your Design and Hosting Providers
After selecting a domain name, you'll need to register it with a domain registrar, such as Domain.com or Network Solutions. These providers only handle domain ownership registration, which usually costs between $10 and $20 per year, depending on the TLD you choose.
You'll also need to find a hosting provider to host your website and potentially use another program to design it. You may choose to register your domain with a provider that offers all-in-one registration, hosting, and design capabilities to simplify the process.
If you lack coding experience, consider an all-in-one option like Wix, WordPress, or Squarespace.
If you choose separate providers for web hosting and “designing”. Opt for a hosting service that offers perks like tech support, a free domain name, or an SSL certificate. The SSL certificate is a global security technology standard that adds the "S" in HTTPS, making it critical for protecting data and sensitive information for both you and your visitors. It is highly recommended to have it for better search engine ranking and visitor trust.
Although all-in-one “providers” commonly offer these features, it's best to confirm that the provider you select offers them before committing to a plan.
Some popular web hosts with built-in design integrations include Bluehost, DreamHost, GoDaddy, and InMotion, while Canva and Adobe Creative Cloud are third-party design programs that you can use to create designs and embed them onto your website pages if your web host doesn't provide integration features.
Creating Engaging Content and Useful Pages
To effectively showcase your business and services on your website, make sure to include the following important pages:
- Homepage: Create a visually appealing and informative landing page that accurately conveys your business and its offerings. Use captivating graphics, clear descriptions, and compelling calls-to-action.
- About Us: Share the story of your business, including its history, achievements, mission, and values. Introduce team members to foster a deeper connection with customers.
- Booking or Shop Page: To drive revenue, incorporate a third-party online scheduling platform or an e-commerce platform.
- Contact Page: Make it easy for visitors to reach out to you by including your social media accounts, email, phone numbers, address, and a contact form. If applicable, add your business hours.
- Memorable Content: Establish yourself as an expert in your industry by sharing compelling content such as blogs, videos, podcasts, case studies, and more. This will also help improve your search engine ranking and increase site visitors.
- FAQ Page: Provide answers to frequently asked questions to build trust with your brand and reduce the number of customer support tickets you receive.
- Testimonials and Press Coverage: Boost your credibility by sharing positive reviews and any notable media mentions of your business on a dedicated page.
More Resources: Content Writing 101: A Beginner's Guide To Crafting Engaging Content
Search Engine Optimization for Your Website
Search engine optimization (SEO) aims to improve your business website's search engine results page (SERP) ranking. SEO is crucial to make it easier for people to find your website.
When building your website, consider these Basic SEO practices to increase your website's visibility and attract more traffic:
- Use relevant keywords throughout your posts and pages intentionally. Overusing keywords can negatively impact your ranking.
- Consistently publish valuable content for your audience.
- Conduct routine content audits to identify areas that need to be updated or consolidated.
- Optimize images and enable browser caching to decrease loading speed, which can help improve your website's ranking. Use GTmetrix to measure your website's page speed.
- Ensure your website's design and content are suitable for computers, mobile phones, and tablets. Do not underestimate your website's mobile performance, as up to half of web traffic comes from smartphones.
Although having a beautifully designed website is great, search engines look for more to establish your authority when indexing your website in their search results.
When optimizing your website for search, keep your visitors in mind. Choose easy navigation systems and create pages that enable fast load times. Additionally, follow Section 508 guidelines to ensure your website is accessible to a wide range of users.
More Resources: SEO In 2023: A Step By Step Guide SEO For Beginner
Reviewing Your Site Before Publishing
Before launching your website, it’s crucial to test it thoroughly.
Here are some essential steps to take:
- Review all content to ensure accuracy and error-free language.
- Check for broken links and fix them.
- Eliminate filler content from your website theme or template.
- Test your site across multiple browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari.
- Connect your site to Google Analytics to track its performance.
Once you’re confident in your site, hit the publish button. To drive traffic to your site, share it with friends, clients, and promote it on social media.
Keeping Your Site Up to Date
Your website requires ongoing maintenance and updates for it to remain high in search rankings and deliver a good user experience. Here are some tasks to add to your webmaster to-do list:
- Use webmaster and analytics tools to monitor site metrics like bounce rates, click-through rates, and average session duration.
- Regularly update your website with new blog posts, products, and promotions.
- Conduct monthly reviews to ensure all links, pages, and plug-ins are working correctly.
- Keep your “About Us” page up to date with new team members or achievements.
- As time passes, building relationships with other reputable websites can help improve your site’s credibility and SEO. When other websites link to your site, search engines view it as more trustworthy, which can boost your rankings.
Final Thought
In 2023, as a small business owner, establishing a website is crucial for reaching your target audience and driving growth. With the availability of user-friendly website builders and cost-effective options, creating a professional website for your small business has never been easier. At 360digital services, we understand the unique needs of small businesses in the digital landscape.
We can guide you through the process, ensuring your website represents your brand effectively and engages your customers. Embrace the latest design trends, optimize for mobile devices, and focus on user experience to create a website that stands out in 2023. With our expertise, you can elevate your online presence and unlock new opportunities for your small business.
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