orangehippo
January 31, 2023
Creating a small business website in 2023 can seem daunting. Still, by considering key factors such as choosing a memorable and SEO-friendly domain name, selecting a reliable and scalable website hosting provider, and building with a user-friendly content management system like WordPress, you can create a website that effectively represents your business and stands out on the first page of Google. Additionally, implementing an effective SEO strategy and regularly updating your small business website with new content can help boost your website’s search engine rankings and drive more traffic.
As a small business owner, having a website is essential in today’s digital age. A website not only allows potential customers to find and learn more about your small business but also provides a platform for you to showcase your products or services and make online sales.
But how do you go about creating a small business website in 2023?
In this blog post, we will cover the key factors to consider, the process of selecting and setting up a domain and hosting company, the best content management systems and e-commerce platforms, designing a user-friendly and engaging website, search engine optimization (SEO), and creating a website maintenance plan.
A fully optimized website is what your small business deserves, and our award-winning web designers can help you achieve that goal.
Before you start building your small business website, it’s essential to consider a few key factors that will impact its success. The first factor to consider is your target audience, or in other words, your website traffic.
Who are you trying to reach with your website? Understanding your target audience will help you tailor your website to their needs and preferences.
Next, consider your budget. Building a website can be a significant investment, so it’s important to clearly understand how much you’re willing and able to spend. Business websites come in all shapes and sizes, so keep in mind what you need so that you don’t overspend.
This will help you make informed decisions about the type of small business website you can afford and the features you can include.
Lastly, think about the goals you want your small business website to achieve. Are you looking to generate leads for your small business, make online sales, or provide information about your business online?
Having clear goals in mind will help guide your decisions about the structure and content of your website.
Your domain name is the address people will use to find your website. It’s important to choose a custom domain name that is memorable and easy to spell. Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect domain for your small business website:
A simple domain is easy to remember and easy to type. Avoid using long words or phrases, and stick to something short and easy to spell. This will also come in handy when it’s time to build your email marketing strategy.
The most common website address extension is .com, but other options are available such as .net, .org, and .biz. Choose a website address extension that makes sense for your business and is easy to remember. But remember that most people will naturally lean towards a .com, which shows when you look at the results that appear on search engine results pages.
Small business websites should try to limit the numbers and hyphens since they can make a domain name more difficult to remember and type. If possible, avoid using them in your domain name.
When it comes to online searches, you want to make your website address easy for your viewers to spot. Choose a domain name that is broad enough to accommodate any future business aspirations you might have. For example, if you’re starting a bakery, a domain name like “SugarCakesBakery.com” is specific to that business, but “SweetTreats.com” is broader.
If you are looking to rank your small business website on search engines, making your domain name SEO-friendly by including keywords relevant to your business can be beneficial.
After choosing a domain name, the next step is to find a website hosting company. This is where your small business website will be stored and made available to the public.
There are certain costs needed to build a website, and choosing a hosting company should not be short-sighted,
When choosing a hosting provider, consider the following:
There are many website hosting companies to choose from. Some popular options include WPX, Cloudways, Bluehost, HostGator, SiteGround, and DreamHost.
Each of these companies offers different features, which you can check out below:
High performance and fast loading times
24/7 expert support
Daily backups
Free migration service
30-day money-back guarantee
Customized control panel
Cloudways:
Flexible and scalable infrastructure
24/7 expert support
Free website migration
Multiple cloud hosting options (AWS, GCP, DigitalOcean, etc.)
Advanced security features
Free SSL certificate
Bluehost:
Affordable pricing options
24/7 support
Automatic backups
Free domain name for the first year
Easy-to-use control panel
One-click WordPress installation
HostGator:
Affordable pricing options
24/7 support
Automatic backups
Free website migration
Easy-to-use control panel
45-day money-back guarantee
SiteGround (Click Here To Sign Up):
High performance and fast loading times
24/7 expert support
Daily backups
Free migration service
30-day money-back guarantee
Advanced security features
DreamHost:
Affordable pricing options
24/7 support
Automatic backups
Free domain name for the first year
Easy-to-use control panel
97-day money-back guarantee
Please note that these are just some of the benefits that these hosting companies offer, and they may have more or fewer features depending on the specific plan you choose. It is always recommended to read the features and compare the plans of the hosting companies before making a decision.
When looking for a hosting provider, it’s important to consider the level of security and scalability they offer.
Make sure that the provider you choose has robust security measures to protect your small business website from hacking and other cyber threats. Additionally, look for a provider that offers scalable hosting options so your website can grow and adapt as your business expands.
Another important factor to consider is the level of technical support the hosting account offers. Look for a provider offering A+ support and a team of technical experts who can assist you with any issues or questions.
Before you start building your website, it’s important to clearly understand what you want it to look like and what features you want to include. It’s also important to understand the timeline for building a site, which depends on the complexity of your website.
This can be done by creating a website outline or wireframe, which is a visual representation of the structure and layout of your business website.
When creating your outline, consider the following:
The overall design and layout of your website
The type of content you want to include, such as text, images, and videos
The pages and sections you want to include, such as a homepage, about page, contact page, and service page
Any additional features you want to include, such as a blog, online store, or contact form
A clear website outline will make the building process much easier and help ensure that your website meets your business’s needs.
A content management system (CMS) is software that allows you to create and manage the content of your business website. There are many CMS options to choose from, each with its own features, capabilities, and website builders. Most website builders are easy to learn and implement, so don’t have too much fear when designing.
Some of the most popular CMS options for small businesses include:
WordPress is a popular CMS that offers many benefits for small businesses, including some of the best website builders. One of the most significant benefits of using WordPress is its flexibility and scalability. It has its own website builder already integrated, but there are many plugins like Elementor, WPBakery, Divi Builder, and others that will make every small business owner’s life much easier. (Using a website builder will be much more feasible in the long run as opposed to trying to hardcode your site.)
With thousands of plugins, themes, and website builders available, your WordPress website can be customized to fit the specific needs of your small business website. Additionally, a WordPress site can be used for various types of websites, from simple blogs to complex e-commerce sites.
Another benefit of WordPress is its large community of users and developers. This means that there is always a wealth of resources and support available for troubleshooting and problem-solving. With WordPress, you can also find many tutorials and guides to help you learn how to use the platform effectively.
Webflow is another popular website builder/CMS platform that offers a range of benefits for small businesses. One of the most significant benefits of Webflow is its user-friendly interface. It is designed for non-technical users, so you don’t need to know how to code to build a website.
Its website builder design tool allows you to create unique and visually appealing designs for your website.
Webflow also offers built-in hosting and CDN, which means that you don’t have to worry about finding a separate hosting provider. Additionally, it is SEO-friendly and offers many tools to help you optimize your website for search engines.
Squarespace is a user-friendly CMS platform that is designed for small business owners who want to create a professional-looking website without the need for coding skills.
In terms of website builders, Squarespace doesn’t stack up to WordPress or Webflow. But Squarespace does offer a wide range of fully customizable templates, so you can create a unique design that represents your brand. It also provides built-in e-commerce functionality, making it an excellent option for small businesses selling products or services online.
Squarespace’s drag-and-drop website-building platform makes creating and editing pages on your website easy. Additionally, Squarespace offers a range of features, such as analytics, SEO, and marketing tools, that can help you grow your business.
Wix is another popular CMS platform that is designed for small businesses. One of the biggest benefits of Wix is its ease of use, and it offers a drag-and-drop website-building platform that makes it easy to create a professional-looking website without the need for coding skills. Additionally, Wix offers a wide range of templates and features that can be customized to fit the specific needs of your small business.
Wix also offers built-in e-commerce functionality, making it a great option for small businesses selling products or services online. It also offers a range of marketing tools that can help you promote your business and attract more customers.
If you’re looking to make online sales, you’ll need to choose an e-commerce platform that integrates seamlessly with your website. Some popular e-commerce platforms for small businesses include:
WooCommerce is an open-source e-commerce platform that is built on top of WordPress. If you already have a website built on WordPress, it’s very easy to add an e-commerce store to it using WooCommerce.
It provides a wide range of customization options and plugins, making it a very flexible platform.
It’s also free to use, which is great for small businesses with a tight budget.
Shopify is a fully-hosted e-commerce platform, which means that they take care of the technical aspects of running an online store, such as security, updates, and backups.
It’s user friendly, even for those without any technical experience. This makes it easy to set up and manage an online store.
Shopify offers a wide range of design templates and features, including a built-in blog, product reviews, and inventory management.
Squarespace is an all-in-one platform that allows you to create a website, blog, and online store all in one place.
It offers a range of design templates that are optimized for online stores and are easy to customize.
Squarespace also integrates with a variety of third-party tools and apps, such as Google Analytics, MailChimp, and more, to help you manage your online store.
Squarespace’s e-commerce plans include features such as inventory management, order tracking, and customer management.
The design of your business website is crucial for creating a positive user experience (UX), site performance, and engaging your visitors.
A clean, well-organized design with a consistent layout and easy navigation can help visitors quickly find what they’re looking for and increase the chances of them staying on your website and making a purchase or contact.
When designing your website, consider building the following sections:
Header – The header is the top section of your website that typically includes your business’s logo, main navigation, and search bar. It’s the first thing visitors see when they land on your website, so it should be clear and easy to use.
Footer – The footer is the bottom section of your website that typically includes contact information, links to important pages, and social media icons. It’s the last thing visitors see before leaving your website, so it should be informative and easy to use.
Homepage – The homepage is the main page of your website and is typically the first page that visitors see. It should be visually appealing and provide a clear overview of your business and the services or products you offer.
About Page – The about page is where visitors can learn more about your business, including its history, mission, and values. It should be engaging and provide a personal touch to your website.
Contact Page – The contact page should be easy to find and include your business’s contact information, such as phone number, email, and physical address. It should also include a contact form or live chat feature to make it easy for visitors to get in touch with you.
Service page – The service page should provide detailed information about the services or products that your business offers. It should be easy to navigate and provide a clear call to action.
Landing Page – A landing page is a specific page on your website that is designed to convert visitors into customers. It should be visually appealing and clearly explain the benefits of your product or service.
Blog – A blog is a great way to provide valuable content and increase engagement with your website visitors. It’s a great way to showcase your expertise and thought leadership in your industry.
Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of optimizing your website to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs).
By implementing SEO strategies, you can increase visibility for your website and drive more traffic to your site.
Some strategies for optimizing your website for SEO include:
Conducting keyword research to identify the keywords and phrases that your target audience is searching for
Optimizing the title tags and meta descriptions of your website’s pages
Creating high-quality, relevant, and unique content for your website
Building internal and external links to your website from other reputable websites
Optimizing images and videos with appropriate tags and descriptions
Another way to implement SEO and enhance the overall performance is through the installation of plugins (specifically for a WordPress site) which will increase your site’s performance and optimization.
There are many different plugins that small businesses can use to enhance their SEO, but some of the best options include the following:
Yoast SEO – This plugin is one of the most popular and widely used SEO plugins available. It offers a range of features, including keyword optimization, meta tags, and sitemaps. Yoast SEO also has a content analysis feature that checks your post for readability and SEO-friendliness.
All-in-One SEO Pack – This plugin offers many of the same features as Yoast SEO, but it is also compatible with e-commerce platforms like WooCommerce and Easy Digital Downloads. It also has advanced options for customizing your WordPress site title tags and meta descriptions.
Google Analytics for WordPress – This plugin makes it easy to add your Google Analytics tracking code to your website, so you can track your website’s traffic and user behavior. It also provides detailed reports on your website’s performance, including bounce rates, page views, and more.
Broken Link Checker – Broken links can harm your website’s SEO and user experience, so it’s important to regularly check for and fix any broken links on your website. This plugin will regularly scan your website for broken links and notify you when it finds any, so you can quickly fix them.
XML Sitemaps – Having a sitemap is important for SEO as it makes it easy for search engines to discover the pages on your website. This plugin will automatically generate a sitemap for your website, making it easier for search engines to crawl and index your pages.
W3 Total Cache – This plugin improves the performance of your website by caching and minifying your website’s code. It can reduce the load time of your website, which can improve the user experience and help your website rank better in search engines.
These are just a few of the many plugins available to small businesses looking to enhance their SEO.
It’s important to keep in mind that having too many plugins can slow down your website, so it’s best to choose only the most essential ones for your needs.
Creating a website is just the beginning, it’s important to have a website maintenance plan in place to ensure that your website stays up-to-date and runs smoothly. A website maintenance plan should include tasks such as:
Regularly updating the software and plugins to ensure that your website is secure and running efficiently
Backing up your website’s data and files to protect against data loss
Monitoring your website’s analytics to track traffic and user engagement
Regularly checking for broken links and fixing them to ensure a seamless user experience
Monitoring your website’s SEO performance and making adjustments as needed
When it comes to small business websites, content is king. Having a website that is filled with high-quality, valuable content can make all the difference in terms of SEO rankings and visibility.
But creating a website and then leaving it to collect dust is a recipe for failure. In order for your website to rank on the first page of Google, you need to continuously add new and fresh content.
One of the most important things you can do for your small business website is to keep your service page content up-to-date. This includes updating pricing, service descriptions, and any other relevant information that your customers need to know.
This not only helps keep your customers informed, but it also sends a signal to Google that your website is active and relevant.
Another important aspect of your website to focus on is product descriptions. If you’re in e-commerce, this is crucial.
Having detailed and accurate product descriptions not only helps your customers make informed purchasing decisions but also gives Google more information to index and rank your website. Make sure to include keywords and phrases that are relevant to your products and services.
In addition to service page content and product descriptions, having consistent blogs with internal links can make a huge difference in your website’s SEO rankings. Blogging is a great way to add fresh, valuable content to your small business site on a regular basis.
It also gives you an opportunity to target long-tail keywords, which are phrases that are more specific and less competitive than short-tail keywords.
When it comes to blogging, consistency is key. It’s important to set a schedule and stick to it, whether that’s once a week or once a month. The more content you have, the more opportunities you have to rank for different keywords and phrases.
Another important thing to keep in mind when creating new content for your website is SEO. Make sure to include keywords and phrases that are relevant to your products and services in your headlines, meta descriptions, and throughout your content.
This will help your website rank higher in search engine results for those keywords and phrases.
In conclusion, having a website for your small business is a great first step, but it’s not enough to just have one. You need to continuously add new and fresh content to your website in order for it to rank on the first page of Google.
Updating service page content, product descriptions, and consistent blogging are all great SEO tools.
Don’t let your small business site collect dust. Start creating new content today and watch your search engine rankings soar!
In conclusion, creating a website for your small business in 2023 is crucial in building a strong online presence.
By considering key factors, selecting a memorable domain name, paying for secured and scalable website hosting, outlining a clear vision for your website, selecting and building with a content management system, implementing an e-commerce platform, designing a UX-friendly and engaging website, and implementing SEO strategies, you can create a website that will help your small business grow and succeed.
Don’t forget to make a website maintenance plan to keep your website up-to-date and running smoothly. Our Miami website design team has helped various businesses across the nation craft the right plan for their business. With the right approach, you can create a website that will help your small business thrive in the digital age.
There are several free website builders available, including Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress, which allow you to create a website without spending any money. However, some of these platforms often have limitations in terms of design customization and functionality, and may also display ads on your site.
The cost of creating a website for a small business can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on factors such as the level of customization, the platform and hosting provider used, and the addition of any special features or plugins. On average, a small business can expect to spend between $500 and $3000 for a basic website.
Having a website can cost money, as you will typically need to pay for a domain name and hosting. However, there are free website builders available, such as Wix and WordPress.com, which allow you to create a website without spending any money.
Yes, you can start a website without an LLC. An LLC, or limited liability company, is a type of business structure that provides protection for its owners. However, it is not a requirement to have an LLC to start a website. You can choose to start a website as an individual or choose a different type of business structure.
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