You’ve been putting it off for ages, but this is the year you need to finally get your business online. As an SME owner, having a professional website is crucial to your success. It’s how your customers find you, learn about what you do, and connect with your company. Not having a website in today’s digital world is like not having a business phone number – it makes you seem outdated and hard to reach.
Launching a website is easier and more affordable than ever. You don’t need expensive web developers to build you a site from scratch. User-friendly website builders and templates can have you online in just a few hours. You can create a stylish, mobile-friendly site yourself without any technical skills. There are also low-cost options if you want to hire an expert to help.
With more people searching and shopping online each day, not having a website means you’re missing out on valuable new customers and sales. This year, make it your resolution to establish an online presence and open your business up to new growth and opportunities. Getting your website live will be one of the smartest investments you make in your company’s future. What are you waiting for? The time is now to launch your website!
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How a Website Can Boost Your Business This Year
A website is essential for any small business today. Here are a few reasons why you need to make launching a website a priority this year:
Reach New Customers
With a website, your business can be found 24/7 by anyone searching online. You’ll gain visibility to countless potential new customers who may have never discovered you otherwise. A website also allows you to rank in search engines like Google, so you can appear at the top of the results when people search for businesses like yours.
Build Credibility
A professional website makes your business look established and reputable. It helps build trust in your brand and gives the impression you’re tech-savvy and forward-thinking. Your website can also be an opportunity to highlight customer reviews, media mentions, awards or partnerships that boost your credibility.
Sell Products or Services
If you sell physical goods or digital services, a website allows you to open an online store and make sales around the clock. You can easily list products, take payments, and ship items directly to customers. For service-based businesses, a website lets you book appointments, sign up new clients or take project requests whenever is most convenient for you and your customers.
Stay Competitive
As technology becomes more advanced and ingrained in our daily lives, customers expect businesses to have an online presence. Not launching a website could put you at a competitive disadvantage and cause you to miss out on opportunities. Staying up-to-date with current digital marketing trends will help ensure your small business is well-positioned for success this year and beyond.
Why Website Traffic Will Be More Important Than Ever
If you’re an SME owner, having a website this year is non-negotiable. Why? Two words: website traffic.
Website Traffic Will Drive Sales
With more people shopping and researching online, website traffic has become the top indicator of sales for businesses. If people can’t find your site, they can’t buy from you or become loyal customers. This year, over 64% of consumers will research a product online before buying. If you’re not visible in search results, you’ll miss out.
Many SMEs think social media is enough, but platforms like Facebook and Instagram only reach people already following you. A website allows new potential customers to discover your business. It establishes you as an authority, builds trust, and gives people a place to buy from or contact you directly.
Optimizing for Mobile Is Essential
Over 70% of website traffic now comes from mobile devices. If your site isn’t optimized for mobile, you’ll frustrate customers and damage your credibility. A mobile-friendly site with a simple, fast user experience is expected today.
Fresh, High-Quality Content Will Be Key
This year, content will be more important for driving organic traffic and sales. Regularly updating your site with blog posts, photos, videos and other media keeps people engaged and coming back. Well-written content that provides value to readers will rank higher in search, increasing visibility and traffic. Keeping your content fresh and SEO-optimized is one of the best ways to boost website traffic.
How to Choose an Affordable Web Design This Year
Looking for an affordable web design solution this year? Here are some tips to help you choose a good option for your small business website:
Research Your Options
There are many do-it-yourself website builders and templates to choose from in 2021. Do some research on platforms like Wix, Weebly, WordPress, and Squarespace. Compare features like customization options, ecommerce functionality, blog tools, and price. See what other businesses in your industry are using. You really can’t go wrong with any of the major options, so choose what fits your needs and budget.
Focus on Responsive Design
With more and more people accessing websites from their mobile devices, a responsive design that works across devices is essential. Look for website builders and templates that are optimized to automatically resize and reformat to fit everything from desktop computers to smartphones. Your website needs to look professional and be easy to navigate no matter how visitors are accessing it.
Consider Using a Template
If you’re on a tight budget, using a pre-made website template can be an affordable option. Many website builders offer free templates you can customize with your own images, text, and brand colors. You will save time and money vs. designing a custom site from scratch. Look for a template in your industry or niche and make sure you can adapt it to be unique to your business.
Budget for Extras
While many website platforms are very budget-friendly, keep in mind any additional costs for things like ecommerce tools, email marketing, blog features, extra storage space, or premium design elements. You may be able to save money by choosing a plan that includes the features you need. If not, budget about $10 to $50 per month for add-ons to avoid surprise costs down the road.
With some research and planning, you can launch an attractive, effective small business website this year without breaking the bank. Focus on options that fit your needs, budget, and timeline to get your website up and running so you can start reaping the benefits. Your online presence has never been more important, so make it a priority this year.
Why Mobile-Friendly Websites Are Essential for SMEs Now
As an SME owner, having a mobile-friendly website should be one of your top priorities this year. Why? Because more and more people are using their phones and tablets to browse the web. If your site isn’t optimized for these devices, you are missing out on valuable traffic and potential new customers.
According to research, over 60% of web traffic now comes from mobile devices. If someone visits your site on their phone and has a poor experience, odds are they won’t come back. A mobile-friendly site, on the other hand, provides an experience tailored to their device. Things like easy-to-tap buttons, minimal scrolling, and readable text mean visitors can actually use and enjoy your website.
For many SMEs, a large portion of revenue now comes through online channels. An adaptive, responsive website is key to tapping into this source. When your site looks good and works well on any device, you make it easy for people to find you, explore your business, and make a purchase or contact you. If your website isn’t mobile-friendly, you are essentially invisible to most web users today.
Creating a mobile-optimized website has never been more affordable or doable. Many website builders and CMS platforms now offer responsive templates that automatically reformat your site for any screen size. You don’t need advanced technical skills to build an adaptive site. And with website hosting and domain names more budget-friendly than ever, there is really no excuse for SMEs to not have a mobile-friendly web presence.
This year, resolve to stop losing potential customers and revenue to a poor mobile experience. Join the majority of businesses that now have a responsive website. You will open your business up to more web traffic and new opportunities for growth. An adaptive, mobile-optimized website should be an essential part of every SME’s digital marketing strategy today. Make it a priority and start reaping the rewards.
FAQs: Common Questions About Launching a Website This Year
Launching a website for your small business is a big step, but the benefits far outweigh any hesitations you may have. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we get from SME owners about creating a website.
Do I really need a website?
In short, yes. A website establishes your online presence, allows you to share information about your business, and gives potential customers a place to learn more about your products or services. Even a basic website can help build credibility and trust in your brand.
How much does a website cost?
Website costs can vary greatly depending on the complexity of your site. You can create a simple but professional site for a few hundred dollars using an easy website builder tool. More custom designs with ecommerce functionality may cost a few thousand dollars or more. It all depends on your needs and budget. Don’t feel like you have to spend a fortune to get started.
How do I choose a web hosting service?
Web hosting provides server space for your website files and makes your site accessible on the internet. Look for a reputable hosting company that offers simple setup, 24/7 support, and affordable and scalable plans. For a small business site, shared hosting is typically a good, inexpensive option. You can always upgrade to a VPS or dedicated server as your site grows.
How do I get my business on Google?
Google wants to provide the most relevant search results to users. To rank well in Google, focus on creating useful content, an optimized site structure, and building quality backlinks. Useful content means blog posts, videos, and other media that would be genuinely helpful for your target customers. An optimized site has keywords in page titles, URLs, headings, and content. Build backlinks by having other trusted sites link to your website.
What else do I need to launch my site?
Once you have a design and host in place, you’re ready to launch! Double check that all your pages are linking properly, your contact forms are working, and there are no broken images or links. You’ll also want to submit your sitemap to Google Search Console to help them index your new site. Announce your launch on social media to start driving traffic and celebrate this huge accomplishment! You now have an online home for your business.
Conclusion
So there you have it. If you’re an SME owner who’s been on the fence about creating a website, now is the time to take action. A website is your digital calling card, your online storefront, and a powerful marketing tool all rolled into one. Having an effective website can attract new customers, build your brand, and boost your credibility. And with website builders and affordable hosting options today, launching a basic site is easier and more budget-friendly than ever. What are you waiting for? Get online this year and watch your business take off!