A small business without a website won’t realize its full potential. But without the budget for a web designer, how can you have an effective online presence? Making a website by yourself is not as intimidating as it might seem. Even a novice can build an effective and appealing one with so many intuitive, budget-conscious website platforms out there. You don’t need any prior experience either.
Getting started
Your first choice is a website-building platform. WordPress is a leader in this area, powering almost half of all websites in the world and running on open-source software. It is astoundingly scalable and flexible, with thousands of plugins and themes, allowing the user to create and extend functions to their heart’s content.
Two feasible alternatives to WordPress are Wix and Squarespace, which come with intuitive, drag-and-drop site builders that are ideal for people who want to create a website using an all-in-one solution. You can create a site with a professional appearance with these platforms, although they lack WordPress’s customization potential.
Next steps
After you choose a website builder, you must pick a domain name. Ideally, it should be very similar to the name of your business or niche. Online generators can help if you’re unsure of what name you should choose. Your domain name should be short, easy to spell, and include keywords relevant to your field of activity.
You can register your domain name when you sign up with a hosting provider. If you opt for Wix or Squarespace, you can buy one through those.
Choose a template or theme
WordPress and Squarespace offer all kinds of customizable themes and templates, many of which are free. Themes are available under Appearance in WordPress. You install, activate, and customize the themes. You can also go for a premium business theme, but those are not free.
You’ll find all themes directly on Squarespace’s site. It’s possible to preview them. Once you’re done, go to “Start With This Design,” then proceed to the editing area, where almost every site element can be customized. Review any changes on the front end before you apply them.
Install plugins
Plugins are called apps in Wix and extensions in Squarespace. The most important ones address SEO, security, and backups. Search engine optimization (SEO) can help attract new clients by making your small business website visible to search engines. The most popular SEO plugin in WordPress is Yoast SEO. It’s optimal for beginners. If you’re not a beginner, you can go with RankMath.
Your site needs protection against spam, hackers, and cybercriminals in general. Sucuri Security has a free and paid version and is a great all-in-one solution.
File and database backups are indispensable. Plugins like Updraft Plus can help protect your database if you lose data.
Finally, you need an ecommerce plugin if your small business involves an online store. If you choose WordPress, WooCommerce is highly recommended by experts.
Refine your content for SEO
Beyond relying on plugins, invest in SEO so your site ranks even higher in search results. Keep the following key practices in mind:
- Use appropriate keywords in your posts
- Use post names in their permalinks
- Pick a responsive design
- Optimize your website for speed
- Include internal and external links
Upload content
Most business websites will need a homepage, product page, and a contact page. The homepage is the first element of your site most visitors will see when they open it. It should be an effective starting point for navigating the site and should provide a short overview of your offerings.
The next page should be dedicated to your products or services. This is where you display your work and explain what you offer customers or clients. For example, website design for estate agents focuses on showcasing property listings effectively, creating a visually appealing and informative experience tailored to real estate audiences.
You need a contact page for potential customers to contact you. Include as many channels as possible: telephone, email, social media, etc.
A FAQ page is optional, but it can be very helpful. Customers find FAQ pages reduce friction. What’s more, having answers to the most common questions makes your job easier. If you have a support team, they will appreciate the reduced workload. What’s more, many buyers are one question away from making a purchase. A ready answer makes the difference between a paying customer and someone who has left your website.