Small business web design tips

A website is a vital step to success for many small business owners, but creating the perfect website design for your small business can be daunting. There are so many things to consider with a successful website and we cover some of the main ones in this article. Read on and start planning or improving your website today!

Creating a perfect web design for small business

A website can be the first step to online success for many small businesses. It’s important to make sure that the website design you choose is perfect for your business and reflects your brand. There are a few key factors to consider here, including logo, tone of voice and style of imagery.

Your message needs to be clear too – straight to the point in describing what you do and who it’s aimed at. Spending some time on messaging and good copywriting can be essential before the design process.

While there are countless free or cheap website templates out there, having a custom design will keep things focused and on-brand, as well as loading faster. By taking these points into consideration, you’ll create a website that will help you reach your business goals.

Finding the right web designer for your small business

When it comes to selecting the right web designer for your small business, it’s important it’s a good fit for both parties. Size is one of them – find someone who can fit your budget and needs. Will you be dealing direct with your designer or dealing with project managers or sales people?

Another factor to consider is experience – make sure the designer you’re considering has experience working with small businesses. It’s also important to ask a potential web designer questions about their past work. This will help you get a good idea of what they’re capable of doing for you.

Lastly, be sure to check out the designer’s portfolio and see if their designs match your business’ theme and brand. By doing all of this, you’ll be able to find the best web designer for your small business!

Types of small business web design

When it comes to small business website design, there are a variety of options to choose from so it’s important to select the right one for your business. This involves understanding your business and the needs of your customers. How big will the site be, and what is its purpose? Are you hoping to catch traffic from search engines by regular blogging, or is it mainly to build trust for people you reach via other methods like cold calling or paid adverts on social media?

It’s also important to consider how mobile-friendly your website will be and whether you will need an ecommerce platform now or in the future.

How to choose the right web hosting for a small business website

Small business owners know the importance of their website being fast, secure and always available to customers. However, choosing the right web hosting for a small business website can be difficult with so many options and so much technical speak!

Make sure to select a quality web hosting company, not necessarily just one that advertises on TV. Your web designer may offer web hosting that works well with the systems they recommend – this can be a great option rather than cutting corners to save £20 a year but having constant issues or getting nickel and dimed for any extra features you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell whether or not my business even needs a website?

This is a really good question that we always work through with potential clients. A web presence can be one of the most important components of any business, but it doesn’t always have to be a full, professionally designed website. A DIY website or a single page site may be enough to start with.

If your small business is new and you’re not sure if it’s going to take off, a social media page (like Facebook or Instagram) can be a good start to test your idea in the marketplace. Do not rely on social media pages as your only marketing platform longer term however – these pages can disappear or lose their reach overnight due to changes in website terms or your audience migrating to another platform. Also be aware that you may not be very visible on social media unless you post multiple times a day. This can be fatiguing and also benefit the social media platform more than your small business!

Longer term, invest in a website that will be able to last, grow and be owned by you. Own your client list rather than relying on cutthroat social media companies to reach your fans and clients.

Which web design system is best for small businesses?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best system for a small business website will largely depend on your specific needs. However, a very popular web design system that is often recommended for small business owners is WordPress. This is a flexible, well supported, easy to use system that lets you edit your own website content.

There are free templates and page builders available for WordPress but we recommend a custom designed theme that fits your branding and is fast to load.

What should be included in a basic web design package for my small business?

When designing a website for your small business, you’ll want to take into account layout of the site. This is how best to present your company’s branding, focus and messaging to keep visitors engaged. This may involve working out a sitemap, key messages and even some professional copywriting or editing. As for web design services, you’ll likely require a design that meets your specific needs and matches your branding. Beautiful fonts, harmonious colours and attractive icons all contribute to a good design.

Once the designs are nailed, turning this into a fast loading website is next. Testing the site on various devices and submitting to search engines should also be included. Additional technical features that may be included in a basic website design package for small businesses include online booking forms, contact form submissions, social media integration, and more!

Ongoing maintenance is also vital to make small changes, keep an eye on security and keep the website software up to date.

How can I ensure that my website looks great on all devices, including mobile devices?

Separate mobile sites are difficult to maintain. One of the best ways to ensure that your website looks great on all devices is by using ‘responsive design‘.  Responsive design makes sure that your website automatically switches its layout and styling to fit any device or viewing size. This way, your website will look great on small devices like phones and tablets, as well as desktops and laptops. To make sure your website looks good on all screen sizes, it’s a good idea to have it designed by a web designer who tests it on various computers and actual mobile devices.

Conclusion

A website can be the first impression your small business has with the world, so make sure it’s looking good and working well! By following the tips outlined in this blog, you can create a website that will reflect your business perfectly. Make sure to find a web designer who understands small business needs and who can help you find the perfect web hosting for your website. With the right design and hosting, you’re ready to take your small business website to the next level.

We’d love to help with your small business web design – contact us or call 01636 812551 today!