The size and scope of a new website is partly dictated by budget. But the best starting point is always ‘what do you want the website to do and how?’ So for everyone considering a new (or additional) website, here in a (hopefully) jargon-free list are our Website 5 Steps to Heaven.
- Work out what you really want the site to do. Help potential customers to find you on the internet by googling a specific search term? Give more detail about your business? Ask visitors to get in touch with you to arrange a meeting or presentation? Sell from the site by taking orders and payments or subscriptions? Build interest by getting visitors to agree to regular communication/updates from your company? It helps to be specific and start considering your site’s function in detail, from the very start.
- Decide whether you want to manage your site yourself, or have it managed for you. Is yours the kind of business that thrives on regular offers, price changes or date-sensitive information? Are you likely to have the time and skill to input them yourself? Are you skilled enough to do it? Even WordPress demands a reasonable level of IT literacy.
- What is your sales proposition? It’s best to focus on what is different about you rather than what visitors might expect. Think of your home page as the front cover of a leaflet, standing among other leaflets on the same subject. What can you say that will attract visitors to stick with your site and find out more, rather than going onto the next site down in the Google search?
- How much space do you need to explain what your business is about? Should you ‘tell it all’ on the website or is it better to get into a conversation with your potential customer as soon as possible.
- Consider how important Google will be to you. While we always build our sites to be Google-friendly there’s a big difference between a business that simply needs to be found, and one that acquires practically all its business via the internet (and is probably competing with hundreds of other companies in the fight for market share). If Google is important, you either need quality SEO skills yourself, or you need to commit to a regular SEO programme.
Jot down the answers to these points and you will already be a long way towards formulating the right kind of website for your business – whether it is a concise, 5-page ‘starter’ that can grow with your business, or a major e-commerce site. Then call Two Lizards on 01403 751 585 or email us and we’ll get back to you. With our extensive experience of setting up sites for new businesses, we can turn your initial thoughts into reality by project-managing your site, designing and writing or editing the content and structuring it so it is perfectly tailored to the needs of your business.
… and if you are a new or growing business, our Website Super Starter package could be ideal. Choose from a wide variety of WordPress themes (templates) and we’ll make the rest happen including your marketing proposition, content, email and key words so you’re ready to go in the shortest possible time.
For more really useful, clear (and occasionally amusing) information on web development, see our blog What Makes An Effective Website?