Designing and building a new website, or redesigning an existing website, can seem like a daunting task. To small business owners a new web design is often something that gets put off due to the thought of tackling the project whilst already running a demanding business.
With nearly two decades of experience in developing websites for small businesses, we have the experience in what it takes to create an engaging and successful business website. Whether a startup or an existing business, getting the results you are looking for can depend on a number of key steps and factors, which we outline below.
Register a Domain Name
There are many factors to consider when choosing a website domain name. Some of the most important factors include:
1. The domain name should be easy to remember.
2. The domain name should be short and simple.
3. The domain name should be relevant to your business or website.
4. The domain name should be available.
There are many places to buy website domain names. Some popular options include GoDaddy, Names, and Ionos. Should you wish to, 4D Digital can quickly check availability and register a domain name for you.
Website Hosting
A website host is a company that owns and operates servers that are connected to the internet. When you create a website, you need to store the files that make up your website on a server. Website hosting provides space on a server for your website, as well as the technology needed to connect your website to the internet.
There are many factors to consider when choosing a website hosting provider. Some of the most important factors include:
- Price: How much does the hosting provider charge?
- Reliability: How often is the website down?
- Customer support: How responsive is the customer support?
- Features: What features does the hosting provider offer?
Consider your goals
Some goals that your website might have are to increase sales, to get more leads, to increase brand awareness, or to generate more traffic.
More general aims for your new website should include the following:-
- To be user-friendly and easy to navigate
- To have a clean and modern design
- To load quickly
- To be responsive (to work well on mobile devices)
- To be optimised for search engines
- To be secure (with an SSL certificate)
- To have contact information and a contact form
- To have a blog or news section
Create a memorable and engaging website
The best way to create a memorable and engaging website will vary depending on the type of website and the audience you are trying to reach. However, some tips to create a memorable and engaging website include using high-quality visuals, telling a story, and making it easy for visitors to navigate and find the information they are looking for.
At 4D Digital we work with each client to design a website that engages the user and provides clear access to all website content and information. We believe that the content of a website has to take priority when designing layout and structure. This then enables website visitors to navigate through the website more easily and access information quickly.
Optimise for search engines
There are many things you can do to optimise your website for SEO. Some important things to consider are:
- Making sure your website is accessible to search engine crawlers
- Creating keyword-rich content
- Using relevant keywords in your titles and headings
- Creating backlinks to your website from other high-quality websites
Optimising for SEO will vary depending on your website’s context and application. For more in-depth information we are happy to advise and talk through your requirements. At 4D Digital we offer full Website and SEO Audits as part of any SEO service.
Implement a maintenance plan
A website maintenance plan is a service that provides regular updates and security for a website. This can include things like updating the website content, adding new features, and keeping the site secure.
Should your website be based on the WordPress platform, it’s important to keep up-to-date with plugin, theme and framework updates.
Promote your website
There are many ways to promote a website. Some of the most common include SEO (search engine optimization), social media marketing, and content marketing.
For Social Media some common methods include creating accounts for the website and sharing links to the website on these accounts; creating promotional content such as videos or blog posts about the website and sharing this content on social media; and running social media ads that link to the website.
There are a number of ways you can use content marketing to promote your website. You can use blog posts, infographics, videos, and other forms of content to attract attention to your site and encourage people to visit it. You can also use social media to share your content and drive traffic to your website.
Commonly asked questions
Does my Small Business website need a content-management system?
A content management system (CMS) is a website framework that allows you to create and modify digital content. Most websites are built with a CMS which allows the business owner to modify and add content themselves.
If you want to create a Small Business website, you will most likely need a CMS.
What is UX and how does it affect my website?
UX, or user experience, affects your website in that it determines how easy or difficult it is for users to interact with your site. A good UX will make it easy for users to find what they’re looking for and navigate your site, while a poor UX will make it difficult for users to use your site.
Should I use WordPress for my website?
WordPress is a good choice for many websites, but it may not be the best choice for your specific website. At 4D Digital we specialise in developing for WordPress but will advise on the framework that we fell can best help your business reach its goals.
As a small business, do I need to be ready for e-commerce?
E-commerce refers to the buying and selling of goods and services over the internet. This can be done through a variety of different platforms, including online marketplaces, online stores, and mobile apps.
If your business has any plans in the future to sell products or services online, then good advice is to build the website framework with e-commerce enabled from the outset.
Do I need to add to my small business website every month or more frequently?
As a general rule, it is a good idea to add new content to your website on at least a monthly basis. This will help keep your site fresh and relevant, and will give your visitors a reason to come back.
How much does it cost to create a website for a small business?
The cost of creating a website for a small business can vary depending on the size and scope of the project. Generally, a simple website can cost anywhere from £500 to £2,000, while a more complex website can cost upwards of £5,000 or more.
Do you have to pay monthly for a website?
Should 4D Digital produce a website for you, you do not have to pay monthly. You may be required to pay for hosting with us, but that is separate from your website itself.
Summary
At 4D Digital we aim to use our experience and knowledge to ease the process of building a new website and, hopefully, even make it an enjoyable task. Please get in touch with us if you would like to talk further about your business website.
“4D Digital have been extremely helpful in designing and producing a fantastic website for my business and supporting the initial digital launch of the site. Chris is knowledgeable, has a wide-reach of contacts to support small to large projects and most of all trustworthy – very important in a digital market where I have little knowledge. I would recommend 4D Digital without hesitation.”
Miles Robinson – Founder & Director, Home Group Financial