In the digital age, creating a website is crucial for any individual or business looking to establish a strong online presence. With countless options and considerations to take into account, starting this process can feel daunting.
That’s why we’ve put together this guide of 6 essential things to know before building your website.
Are you prepared for long hours?
Are you prepared to work for long hours for your business? Running a successful business requires dedication and hard work.
And as an enterprising individual seeking to start a venture, one must be prepared for the journey ahead. The demands upon entrepreneurs require boundless energy and commitment towards their vision. Achieving success may demand working extended hours and making personal sacrifices.
Dedicate a lot of time to research. This research can span months and even years and it can include everything from analysing competitors’ websites to market research by conducting surveys or focus groups with potential customers. By taking the time to do thorough research, you can better understand what your audience wants and needs and create a website that is both user-friendly and effective at achieving your business goals.
How long does it take to create a website? Building a website is a time-consuming process that requires careful consideration of various factors, including design, functionality, and the technologies to be used.
Can you afford the initial costs to build a website?
If your answers are “yes,” then get yourself ready and come up with a budget before you even think about building your website.
You might not have much money, so don’t spend much of your budget unnecessarily. Choose carefully.
For example, if you plan to sell books online, then budget for the cost of building an e-commerce website. It is important to note that launching a website can be costly if you lack coding or design abilities.
You need to pay for hosting and the domain name, which can cost +£100 per year for a decent hosting package plus the domain you choose.
Equipping the website with essential features and add-ons is imperative for making it more functional for website users. You may want a custom design and fancy plugins like an eCommerce shipping or membership plugin.
These additional features to make you stand out can add up to the initial costs.
Almost always, people start their websites before making enough money to afford these initial costs. So they end up paying for their business expenses out-of-pocket, which is risky if you don’t have a steady income stream yet.
If you are building your website, start with a basic one. For a full all bells and whistles website, consider waiting until you make more money. It’s better to take things slow than jump in headfirst without first getting your finances in order!
Does your website provide quality content?
How do you publish quality content on a website? You do this by:
Step 1:Â Â Have a clear understanding of what your company does before starting a website.
Step 2: Afterwards, craft a visually appealing and informative landing page. The content would offer potential customers details on your merchandise or services and should contain further information about ways to contact you.
Step 3: Your web content sets you apart from other companies and will either draw people in or push them away. Make use of great imagery, powerful videos and impactful audio to create high-quality content.
Will your website inspire and provide value to people?
Building yourself an internet presence has significant potential to impact those around you positively- serving as both inspiration and encouragement in your niche or industry.
One way to do this is by creating an educational blog. Valuable information and helpful tips on your website can inspire others to take positive action.
By providing these things on your site, you could inspire those looking for the same kind of information you offer.
It’s powerful when you can motivate those who visit your site!
Is there enough competition in your niche?
If there is much competition, ranking on search engines and getting more traffic will be more difficult. On the other hand, fewer competitors in your niche will make it easier for you to rank higher and eventually get more traffic. You need to be strategic when you build your website.
What to do when there are a lot of competition
- Set yourself apart from competitors by exploring ways to differentiate. Consider exploring customised branding campaigns, original approaches to marketing and advertising techniques, and offering distinct products/services not yet discovered in your area of expertise.
- When it comes to standing out in the market, focusing on a specific target audience can give you an edge. Avoid trying to appeal to the masses; instead, get clear on the preferences and desires of your ideal customer base. By catering directly to these needs, you’ll not only increase satisfaction but also set yourself apart from competing businesses.
- Boosting your standing in the industry relies on forging meaningful associations with like-minded individuals. Networking and building authentic relationships not only provides exposure but also establishes a positive image for yourself amongst peers. Additionally, collaborate or partner with like-minded businesses. This results is an expanding customer base that will contribute significantly to business growth.
Let’s look at some examples:
If you’re a musician, you will have lots of competition.
Musicians should devise strategies in order to differentiate one’s self from others.
A wise suggestion would be developing a website where people, regardless of demographics or socio-economic status, can indulge with free access to one’s musical works.
This approach ensures growth in audience reach and a solid fanbase who genuinely value and appreciate works produced by said artist.
If you’re a chef, there is also lots of competition. But you can stand out when you set up a website with your favourite recipe or ingredient listings. It might be more work than you’re used to, but the reward can be excellent.
But what about a farmer who specialises in fruits or vegetables? Not much competition here. You can set up a simple website focusing on a blog, for example. You can call it “A Day in the Life of ….”
Have you considered the legal aspects of running a business online?
There are a lot of legal implications with running a business online.
Licences
For example, you might have to ensure you have the appropriate licenses and use “safe” digital marketing techniques. You also need to consider if your website follows any rules and regulations that apply to different countries.
Identity
You also want to be able to prove your identity as an owner of your business. Ensuring clarity regarding ownership of a business can prevent issues in the long run. It is, therefore, necessary to register both the company’s domain name and its existence as an entity.
Sales and Tax
Planning on selling goods or services via an online platform? Be aware that this may call for complying with sales tax requirements by both your local and state authorities.
As regulations guiding such laws can be complex, investing time in researching and understanding them is a prudent move.
Legal Policies
You might need a privacy policy if you’re gathering personal information from your website visitors. This policy is like a guide that explains how you collect, use, and safeguard people’s personal data.
Having a well-defined set of expectations for those who frequent your website may prove beneficial. These expectations are encapsulated by the term “terms of service.” Abiding by such guidelines could also shield your company from arising legal issues.
Conclusion
By keeping these six essential things in mind before building your website, you can set yourself up for success and create a user-friendly, effective site that is functional and meets your target audience’s needs.
