Website design tips for small businesses

In today’s business world your website can be the most important single investment you have. It is quite often the last thing a new business does, and is almost certainly the last thing that is researched.

Setting up a website is something that most business owners will have no experience of, especially a website for a small business. If you haven’t done it before or even if you have, chances are you have lots of questions about what type of website you should have and what sort of content it should contain.

Know your limitations

The most important factor is to keep it simple and know your limitations. Too often people think that the way to success with a website it to start big and bold and take on the world. Most large organisations are large for a reason and the vast majority started off very small, so don’t try and run before you can walk.

If you own a local hardware store, don’t try and compete head on with the local B&Q or Homebase and this is the same when launching a new website. Don’t fall into the trap of building something the size of a multinational 50,000 page website, instead look at your market and where you are within it.

Your website should reflect your business in size and design, use the same branding and push the messages that make you unique.
The chances are anyone who hears about you whether it is word of mouth, advertising or via direct sales they will look at your website before making a purchasing decision. If your website fails to impress the chances are so will your business. This does not mean you need to spend £1000’s on your first website it just means it needs to look professional and send a clear message to anyone looking to use your company.

5 Website design tips for small businesses

What do you do?

It sounds obvious but in the modern world of Media people try to be clever and cool and often forget that whilst they know what they do, not everyone looking for your product/service does. Don’t give any mixed messages on this point and be sure your potential customer knows they are in the right place.

What is your unique selling point?

This is the basis for all marketing, and if you have a marketing strategy you’ll already know the answer to this. If you do not have marketing strategy GET ONE.

It maybe you offer the cheapest product/service in your market or you may offer a quality service, whatever it is make sure it is on view for everyone to see.

What is the purpose of your website?

Is it to provide information on your products/ services? Are you looking to sell online? Is the main function of the website to attract more customers or is it to flag-wave to existing clients? Whichever it is, you need to make sure you know before you start so that you don’t send out mixed messages.

How will you measure your websites success?

A website can be a great marketing tool, but how do you know if it’s working for you? What action do you want your potential customer to carry out for you to class the website as a success? Is it to call you or fill in an enquiry form? Is it to sign up to a newsletter or buy online? Whatever your measurement, be very clear from the start and track it.

What is your budget?

Before you start make sure you have some sort of idea how much you want or can afford to spend. Getting a new website is like everything else you buy, you tend to get what you pay for. If your budget is limited don’t get carried away with fancy ideas because these cost money, and anyone trying to tell you differently is being flexible with the truth. That doesn’t mean you can’t get a good website at a reasonable price, but like buying a car you won’t get a very good Ferrari with a budget for a Ford Fiesta. Yet you can buy either for £10,000.

Websites can be built to any budget and it often helps to talk candidly to a web designer about your needs and your budget. Hopefully they can make suggestions that bridge the gap between need and cost and deliver you a quality website within budget.

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