Your startup will need unique ideas and strategies to compete with other businesses when starting in a novel niche. Most importantly, establishing a website as a startup owner could be the make-or-break moment for your business. Making a website for your up-and-coming firm is especially resourceful with the ongoing trend where businesses are embracing online approaches. We want to share eight essential steps to building your custom website to fit your startup in this article.
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Choose a Platform
It would be best to decide which platform you want to base your site on before building it. In the past, sites would be created using CSS, PHP, and HTML (code), but these took developers a long time to master.
It generated the notion that establishing a site from its foundation is difficult, requiring adequate design and coding skills. Nothing could be further from the truth because there are numerous content management systems (CMS) like Wix, which are user-friendly platforms you could use to build your site and manage your content.
To develop your business’ website, you could use Wix, WordPress, HTML5, website builder, Drupal, Joomla and more. Note that these CMSs sometimes differ in features, including customization and user-friendliness.
Get your Site’s Domain Name
A website domain name acts as its unique address. This name often attracts a potential customer to your website and is crucial in making your business’s first impression on prospective clients. For ease, you could create a domain name similar to the company’s name.
For instance, if the company was called hubwriter, your domain of choice could be hubwriter.com. If your preferred name is taken, research to see if there are other domains similar to your targeted name. Prioritize making it easy to remember and spell by making the domain name brief and avoiding unnecessary hyphens and abbreviations.
Budget for the initial registration and an annual fee to ensure the domain name remains under your business. The name could cost you around ten and twelve dollars annually. Remember, you can register a domain name through a domain name service provider or even through your website builder.
Generate a business Email Address
For a more professional outlook, you will need a personalized email address. A credible address example would be [email protected] which is better compared to [email protected]. Try to include your website domain name in the business email address.
Using platforms like G-Suite, you could establish an email address fairly cheap and easily. Some content management systems do offer their clients a suggested business email address.
Pick a Website Template
Picking out your template is like launching your business’ design from a springboard. Having chosen your desired website builder, dig deep within your creativity to develop an outlook of your desired website.
When choosing a content management system, look through various CMS’s and their differences. Some like Wix are highly customizable, while others are more restrictive. However, restricting customization could be a plus since these systems then offer their clients top-notch templates that sum up what they need.
Make a preview of templates that you shortlist before starting to click and edit. If your website might require future changes, choose a suitable CMS. With some website builders, you could even switch website templates and redesigns even after the site goes live.
Add Content
After choosing your template, you could start personalizing and replacing placeholder content on your site. At this point, you could also add extra sections and pages, and website builders have ensured this process goes smoothly.
Your website will need some crucial web pages, including an appealing homepage, a clear-cut contact page, and an educative about us page. These three web pages give potential clients an overview or first impression of your business and you as an individual. Presentation is vital to persuade them to be involved and reach out to you.
Your website could also use a products page and a business blog. These two inform them about your operation and the commodities or services you offer.
Checking out your competition’s website is also a smart idea. Check out what is discussed, what the competitor’s websites have left out, areas you could improve on, and areas that you are more skilled in. Although you should maintain your originality, looking into customers’ expectations is good.
Integrate Apps
After sorting out the web pages and filling them with your content, you should add more features.
You might combine several apps and features with your website to attract more traffic and increase customer satisfaction. These include:
- Live Chat: You could use this technique to connect with your potential and existing clients in real-time through your website.
- Google Maps: Through this interactive map powered by Google, you can assist your clients in finding you.
- Customer Reviews: Displaying genuine client testimonials on a webpage will boost conversions and build trust in potential clients.
- Social Media: Link your website with your business social media accounts or embed social media feeds in the site.
While these applications and features work in various business types, find other industry-specific apps to enhance niche functionality.
Optimize your Website for Better Search Engine Rating
You could have built a beautiful and fully functioning website with all the appropriate information, but now, you need to increase its chances among other search engine results. Without being the top cream, potential customers might never see your content unless you understand boosting your opportunities through Search Engine Optimization (SEO). When you type something into Google, a complex algorithm chooses what to display as the results based on many factors. Mastering the search engine algorithm and utilizing it to boost your website will be beneficial to your startup.
Publish Content, Monitor Progress and Traffic, and Conduct Updates
After going through the first seven steps, the only thing left will be to publish your content. We recommend having your final run before sending your new creation to the public. Look into your website from different screen sizes, devices, and various internet browsers. It gives you the feel and confidence of its handling in different situations.
Recruit other people to go through your site as well for user testing. You could involve family and friends to note any issues which might require ironing out before the site is released. Although you have finished your website, remember that it needs constant updates, from novel uploads to updates on web pages such as your about us page. You will also monitor people’s responses to your content and the site itself to ensure you act on suggestions to make their experience better.
