Things to Consider Before Building a Small Business Website
Are you undecided about building a new website (or rebuilding an old one)? If you are then let us highlight some items you need to consider (this page may cost us some customers, but take note, your best interests are our best interests).
A website is a long term project (in most cases)
When you build a website, you should plan on being involved for the long term (on occasion we will build a site for a political effort or a short term project, but these cases are rare). A minimal effort on your part should make changes corresponding to the "seasons" in your industry. And grow it as your industry grows over time. We'll be available to help you!
Even a small business website is a major investment
We have built websites ranging from $300 to $10,000. And we haven't found a customer yet who didn't look on the their website as a major investment. At Small Business Websites we understand this. And we will be available to help you increase the value of your investment even after your site is built.
Your work doesn't end when the site is built
So don't go at it half heartedly. Once you have committed to building a site, make the required effort to keep it up to date. Nothing sends a potential client looking for a competitors website quicker than a poorly managed site. And at Small Business Websites all you have to do is call us or send us an email containing your changes and updates. We will post them for you with in a few hours of receiving them.
Reasons NOT to build a website:
Because everybody else has one
That reasoning is far too general for making the investment. If you are going to build a website, then you need to approach the project with a specific mission in mind. For example, to increase sales by a certain amount, or to provide information to current customers, or to allow product purchases 24/7 online.
Because my competitor just built one
If you find yourself in this position and you are trying to stay ahead of the competition then you just lost! So let us suggest that you take a little extra time and see how your competition does. Visit their site on a daily basis. Are they changing it regularly? Are they just letting it sit there? Does it get any traffic? Do they make special promotions on it? (the list goes on). Then make a decision as to the value of a website for your business. If you can't afford to build a site better than the competitions, then should you build it at all?
If you still think you need to build a website for your business then call us!
"Build it and they will come"
Visitors will not visit your website just because you build it. Your brain needed a reason to tell your fingers to click the link or type "smallbusinesswebsites.com" just a few minutes ago. What reason can you give web users to visit your site?
You website will need to be promoted in various way. One way is to list it in the search engines. This method is somewhat limited. Another method is to promote the website address through your other advertising and promotion material (like calling cards, print advertising, and other promotions). A web address added to a calling card will turn the piece of paper you give to an interested prospect into several pages of pictures and details about your products and your company.
Are you still undecided about building your website? If so, then give us a call and we will discuss it further with you. |
