You’re a small business owner and it is time to get your business online. However, you don’t know where to start. It’s a new language you’re beginning to learn. In this article, you will learn the steps you need to take to get your business online.
If you are still wary about being online, here are a few reasons why your business needs a website.
24/7 availability
Imagine receiving no more phone calls or hundreds of emails asking simple questions such as opening times or product prices. Your website will be able to hold all this information. You will even be able to allow your customers to order straight from your website! Saving you much more time in the long run.
Build your brand
The amount of web hosting and social media platforms that are now available makes it easy for a small business to build their brand online and create an accessible online market.
Communication
Online marketing is the best way to get to know your customers. By getting to know your customers, you will be able to analyse which products your customers prefer and learn what you should or shouldn’t focus on.
E-commerce
E-commerce is the activity of electronically buying or selling products or online services over the Internet. One of the biggest benefits of having a presence online is that you now have access to introduce e-commerce into your store. This makes it easier and more accessible for customers to purchase your products.
Action Time
You now know all the benefits of having an online presence. Now it’s time to make the final decision. Below you will read the steps to follow in order to make your online business successful.
- Find a web hosting provider and work out which is the best option for you
- Get a domain name that says exactly who you are and what you do
- Make a list of what you prefer to use to build your website
- You’re online. Now what?
1. Domain
By definition, a domain name is simply a human-readable form of an IP address. Choosing your domain name requires careful thought. It is your online identity. The face of your brand. Be creative and think outside the box.
Here are a few key features to think about when brainstorming a domain name:
- Make it memorable
- Make it easy to type, pronounce and spell
- Keep it short
- Do not use numbers or hyphens
- Use keywords
2. Hosting
Web hosting is the combination of hardware and software that stores website files so it can be viewed online 24/7. In order to have a website or email, you would need to get a Hosting provider where all your website and email content is stored and accessible.
How to choose a hosting provider
What to think about:
- Price
- Disk Space Needed
- Support Service
- Speed On Servers
2.1 Price and Disk Space
Depending on the type of website you are going to build and the amount of email accounts you will need, disk space plays an important role. Compare your options depending on price and disk space.
2.2 Support Service
From what time will they be able to assist you? What is there average resolution time? What type of support do they offer? Read up reviews that their existing/previous customers have written on review sites such as HelloPeter or Google Review.
2.3 Speed On Servers
Will your website be able to run on a shared server where one server hosts hundreds of websites? Alternatively, will your website be a high-volume traffic site that needs its own server?
3. Site Builder
You’ve registered your domain and chose a hosting provider. Now all you need to do is choose the right package. Choosing a website design product can be a difficult task; not only is the internet flooded with them but each of these packages has its own advantages.
Two of the most effective and most popular website design product options are WordPress and the DIY Website Builder. The question is which one is the best solution for you? The most important thing you need to consider is what type of website you want to build. Below are a few factors that you should keep in mind:
- How many pages do you require?
- Will you need templates to guide you?
- Does your website need coding?
- Do you need a visual interface when designing your website?
- Will your website need plugins?
Read more about WordPress vs 1-grid Website Builder.
4. You’re online! Now what?
Your website is live, everything is up and running. Now you need to get it to the top! Google has an amazing free online course that teaches you how to grow your business and understand the online world. Enjoy learning while watching amazing videos on Digital marketing.
In this course, you’ll be taught the following:
- How to take a business online
- How to make it easy for people to find a business on the web
- How to reach more people locally, on social media, or on mobile
- How to reach more customers with advertising
- How to track and measure traffic
- How to sell products online
- How to take a business online
Click here to read more.
