Your Business Needs A Website
Updated: Jul 14, 2023
Websites for Small Businesses and Freelancers. Learn the different types of websites, features and hosts available. What host site will work best for your business?
Do I need a website for my business?
If you need a website is a simple question with a simple answer- yes. The complex question is:
What type of website do you need?
What features should it have?
The answers to these questions depend on: the type of business you have and what you want your customers to be able to do online.
Below I'll break down what a website is, a couple benefits of having a website, different types of websites and factors to consider when deciding between creating a website on your own or hiring a professional.
Click the questions to jump ahead:
Can I build my website on my own or should I hire a professional?
What is a Website?
A website is a central location for your current and potential customers to see all of what your business offers and important information like contact info. A website has a homepage in addition to other pages that further explain your mission, services and/or products via media, text and related links.
A successful website is responsive, easy to navigate, has CTAs, SEOs, a clear purpose, media and security features.
What are the benefits of having a website?
Websites help build trust with the public.
Communicate different messages and missions.
Online place for your customers to shop or book with you.
Spread Brand Awareness.
Answer/Highlight most frequently asked questions.
What are the Different Types Of Websites
There are several different types of websites and your website can be a combination of them. Remember the more complex your site is... the more important it is to make sure you're setting the features up correctly without slowing down your website's speed or making the design look junky.
Static | A website with flat files like images, HTML, CSS. Viewers see it exactly as it was created.
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Dynamic | A website with data that can be mutable or changeable depending on the viewer, time viewed, native language, etc.
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Affiliate Website | An affiliate website is used to promote services or products in exchange for commission.
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Blog Website | A blog website contains visual and text content posts that visitors can like or comment on. It's frequently updated and can be monetized.
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E-Commerce | An e-commerce site allows you to sell your products from your online store.
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Forum | A forum is an online discussion site where people can converse through posted messages.
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Landing Page | A landing page allows you to spotlights a specific product, service, mission or event, without requiring you to change your whole website.
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Booking Site | An online site where clients can browse and book your services. |
What type of website and what features does my business need?
The type of website you need really depends on your goals for the site and your business. For instance, if you are a nail tech chances are you won't need a blog site. Take the time to figure out what your purpose is for your site and what you want your customers to be able to when they visit it. That will help you narrow down- what type of site you need and what features it should have.
Content your website should include....
Headings
Subheadings
Contact Information
Media/Images
Strong and Direct Call To Actions (CTAS)
Social Proof (Testimonies)
Features/Benefits
Tracking Analytics
Pages your website should have...
Homepage
About Page
Booking Services or Products Page
FAQ page
Testimonials/Review Pages
Links to Social Media Accounts
Subscribe button (if you have a blog)
Terms & Conditions Page
Contact Page
Can I build my website on my own or should I hire someone?
I always recommend hiring a professional when it comes to areas that you are not skilled in. However, thanks to many host sites designing a basic website using a template is 100% doable, IF you have the time and willingness to learn.
A website is more than just a pretty design. Without implementing crucial features like Search Engine Optimization (SEOs) your website won't show up in searches, it will only be viewed by people you send your link to. Not having clickable buttons and links make your site nothing more than an online flyer. Adding too many features, slows down your website's speed- which can be major turnoff for visitors. Running ads and having heavy foot traffic but low conversion is counterproductive. Using templates from host sites that a million other users puts you in the same box as them.
Host sites to build your website with...
Don't just pick the website with the cheapest cost. If you're going to design and handle maintenance of your own site-you need to make sure it has the features and support your business needs. Because I heavily believe in educating yourself, I didn't break down the host sites like others do. I want you to go learn it for yourself. Here are some hosts I have used for my businesses or my clients.
Wix
Wordpress
Shopify
Weebly
Bluegator
Bigcommerce
Hubspot
Godaddy
Squarespace
Honeybook
Remember a website is not a one time set up and let it go. Regardless if you create it yourself or your hire someone, you should regularly perform website audits and track the traffic and conversions. Website audits make sure content and media is current, links/buttons work and keywords are updated.
Need help creating your website? Book your appointment below
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