Setting up a website can feel a little daunting if you don’t know where to start. However, proper web design can make a big difference for your website and business. In fact, improving the user experience (UX) on your website can yield conversion rates up to 400%.
Improving the user-interface, on the other hand, could increase conversion rates by up to 200%.
By learning how to properly set up your business website, you can gather more traffic, increase leads, and boost sales. It all starts with a plan. Keep reading to learn how to best set up your business website with these 10 easy tips from White Peak Digital!
1. Know Your Purpose
Before you start designing, take the time to consider your website’s primary goals. Try to establish SMART goals, which stands for:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Relevant
- Time-bound
For example, maybe you want to use your website to generate a 30% increase in sales by the first quarter of 2020. If that’s the case, you can focus on designing your website with e-commerce in mind.
Creating a strong, easy-to-use e-commerce website doesn’t happen overnight. Instead, you’ll need to make sure your website is secure and capable of accepting payments.
You might also want to integrate your website with a CRM to nurture leads and stay organized.
Determining your main focus before you start designing will help you make design and develop decisions.
Start with SMART goals that reflect your overall business goals. Then, you can start designing and developing your website to achieve those goals.
2. Choose Your Domain Name
In order to set up your business website, you’ll need a unique domain name. You’ll share this URL with your clients and use it to promote your brand. If your domain name isn’t unique, consumers might confuse you with another brand.
Make sure your domain name is easy to remember and type. It should also remain relevant to your brand and industry.
Try to avoid abbreviations, numbers, or acronyms, which can make your domain name awkward to read.
Next, you’ll need to choose your top-level domain (TLD). The TLD is the suffix located at the end of your domain name. Many businesses use “.com” or “.biz.” You might also use a TLD that’s relevant to your industry, such as “.tech.”
Once you have your TLD, make sure it’s available. You can visit Web.com, Wx, Squarespace, or GoDaddy to purchase your domain. Make sure you’re not infringing on another company’s copyrights, which could cause trouble down the road.
3. Select a Host
Once you have your domain name, you’ll need a web host. The host will store all of your website’s data.
You’ll likely want to select a shared web host if you’re concerned about your budget. Though less expensive, shared web hosts often mean slower web speeds. If you’re concerned about speed, look into a dedicated host.
4. Start Designing and Developing
Once your site is online, you can get to the fun stuff! Your website will likely start with a static homepage. Make sure to create additional pages that are relevant to your services and business.
Don’t forget a contact page! You’ll want to include your contact information as well as a form.
SEO
It’s important to consider search engine optimization (SEO), too. About 50% of web traffic is brought in through a search engine. By optimizing your website for search engines, you can attract relevant consumers to your business.
Once you attract people to your website using SEO, you can use your forms and CTAs to generate leads.
5. Consider the UX
As you create your pages, make sure each one has a clear purpose. Then, design with the UX in mind.
For an effective website, it’s important to consider speed. In fact, a load time of five seconds could increase the chance of a bounce by 90%. A higher bounce rate could impact your SEO.
A website that’s stuffed with content can feel overwhelming. Visitors won’t know where to look first! When setting up a business website, utilize your space by shortening sentences and paragraphs to improve readability.
Mobile-Optimization
Mobile-optimization will ensure consumers can visit and explore your site from their mobile phones. If you’re not mobile-optimized, you could miss out on customers.
You can use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to make sure you’re optimized.
6. Priority Security
As you use these tips for setting up a website, don’t forget website security. You should have an SSL certificate, especially if you plan on taking payments. Make sure “HTTPS” appears in front of your domain name.
If your website isn’t secure, consumers might not want to trust you with their private information.
7. Add Quality Imagery
Consumers are getting smarter when it comes to recognizing stock images. Instead, make sure to use unique, high-quality images.
Hiring a professional photographer to take images of your business or products can help your website stand out. Otherwise, you might fail to make an impact with consumers.
8. Boost Your Brand
Your brand helps you differentiate yourself from other businesses in the industry. While setting up a business website, it’s important to maintain brand consistency. Make sure your website’s branding matches your branding on print materials and social media.
Your brand can include colors, tone and voice, and images. Don’t forget your logo and a favicon for your site, too! Implementing your brand will increase brand recognition, which can help boost your business.
9. Test Everything
Before going live with your website, make sure to test everything.
Click on every link and explore every page. Look for typos or errors. Test your site on different browsers, too.
Don’t forget to complete the same process on a mobile device.
Make sure to fix any issues before you go live. Otherwise, your customers will struggle to use your site.
10. Manage Your Site
Make sure to keep your website up-to-date using the latest plug-ins and design trends. You’ll also want to update your content. Try posting fresh SEO blogs regularly to keep people coming back for more.
Plug-ins and themes can go out-of-date. Your website itself will need an update, too. Considering working with a company that offers WordPress support services.
They’ll manage your site and keep it updated so you can focus on your business.
Starting From Scratch: 10 Tips for Effectively Setting Up a Website
Make setting up a website easy for yourself! Use these tips and start the process today. With a strong website, you can expand your reach and start generating new leads.
Looking for more helpful tips? Explore the Business section of the blog today!
