Not every business needs a website – but there are many that will tell you that you do.
The first thing to think about is what you are trying to accomplish by having a site.
Are you trying to establish credibility?
Are you taking appointments or orders online?
Are you providing regular, key informational updates?
When someone asks me to help them with a site – I ask them to list, in prioritized order, what visitors to the page will do.
Will they buy something? Will they get information? Many small business owners in the start up phase haven’t thought that through and it is a healthy exercise.
Once those priorities are known, planning can begin. Work with a trusted developer and designer to make those priorities happen. A simple page can cost as low as $500 to build but can range as high as you can dream, literally….
ALTERNATIVES but also NECESSITIES
Because a true website also costs money ($20/yr for a domain name, and $10-$30 per month to host it, plus the cost to build it…) I recommend that most businesses start with the free options. I ALSO highly recommend these to ANY business putting a site up as well.
- Facebook: Put together a business page on FB
- Google Profile: Different than FB but provide key legitimacy and starts the Google recognition process (key to SEO)
- LinkedIn: Another legitimacy locale.
- Other lists, services, etc that are relevant to your industry and locale. These include Chambers of Commerce, FB groups, LinkedIn groups, associations, etc.
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
When a potential customer or client starts considering you – they will LIKELY search for you on the internet. Have a Google Profile is KEY and will direct people to FB, LinkedIn, or other services AS WELL AS the web site. this gives them comfort that you are legitimate.
It’s also important to keep content FRESH – especially on social media. Have a plan to post regularly.
We provide initial free consulting on all these topics and are glad to help you know what is best for you. We also build web pages, AND LinkedIn, Facebook, and Google Profiles. We also post regularly to all of these for you.
Good luck – and please, reach out with questions.
