How To Succeed At Designing A Small Business Website

A small business website is an important tool that can contribute to a small business's growth and success.

Since it's often the first thing people see when they look up your small business online.

So, while there are many aspects to consider when designing a small business website, this guide will cover everything you need to know to design your very own.

All while giving you answers to the following questions:

• What is web design?
• How did web design begin?
• Why is web design important?
• How do you design a small business website?
• What web design services are available?

What is web design?

Web design is the process of designing a website by planning, conceptualizing, and putting together different types of brand assets and materials.

In other words, web design is about making small business websites look good and work well.

All from a user's point of view.

Today, the success of many small businesses depends on how well they design their websites.

As a result, more small business owners are deciding to spend time and money developing new website ideas.

Ideas that will help them attract and persuade the people they want to buy from them.

How did web design begin?

Even though the history of web design goes back to the late 1800s, when photography kept getting better, things didn't really start to take shape until 1989.

When Tim Berners-Lee suggested creating the World Wide Web, which is now commonly known as the Internet.

Then, from 1996 to 1999, we would witness the arrival of new technology that would allow the web to evolve.

Such as various computer languages (e.g. CSS, JavaScript, and Dynamic HTML) that would serve as a foundation for what many of us today connect with web design.

Nevertheless, today, the internet has become an important part of so many people's lives.

So, as this trend continues, web design will also continue to advance.

Why is web design important?

Web design is important for many small businesses because it affects how websites look and how people use them.

Also, more and more people are using the internet these days, so the success of many small businesses depends on how well they design their small business website.

Since it's usually the first thing that people search for when they check out a business.

So, a good web designer will design something that looks good, is easy for people to use, and works.

They will also use images to help users get around the website and find the information they need quickly.

Last but not least, a good web designer will make a site that works on all devices and can be accessed by all users.

This is called a responsive website.

Since there is a great deal of overlap with device usage these days.

Successful Vs Unsuccessful Websites

Small business websites are affected by many things, like the text, layout, color scheme, font size, and spacing between words.

This also includes marketing campaigns, which needs to be interesting enough to get people to visit your website.

However, navigation and content are two of the most important parts of a website.

So, for web design to be successful, content should be easy to find and look into with as few clicks or taps as possible.

While navigation should be easy for both experts and beginners.

On the other hand, unsuccessful small business websites will not only lack many of the above features, but they will also have one of the following problems:

• Lack of understanding of the intended audience
• Failure to deliver a message clearly
• Awful design choices

So, if you want to make a successful website for your small business, you need to start by knowing what your desired audience wants and needs.

How do you design a small business website?

Now that you are aware of what web design is, the following is a step-by-step guide that will help you design a successful small business website.

Step 1 -  Secure a Domain Name + Web Hosting

A domain name acts as your website's address and can be used to differentiate one website from another.

Since they typically consist of letters and numbers that make up a well-known words or phrases.

So, Google.com, is a great example of a domain name used for Google's search engine.

While, web hosting, on the other hand, is a service that lets people access websites through the Internet.

It can also be compared to a plot of land on which a house (a website) is built.

So, if you are thinking about buying a domain name, make sure it is the same as the name of your small business.

Additionally, if you are thinking about buying web hosting, you should look carefully at its reliability, security, and customer service channels.

Step 2- Choose A CMS

A CMS (Content Management System) is software that manages a website's content by storing, displaying, and organizing content for its visitors.

Having said that, there are many good reasons to use a CMS.

This includes:

• The option to reuse previously created content.
• The ability to manage the complete content lifecycle, from development to publication and beyond.
• By using plugins, you can find out useful information about how your audience interacts with your content.

So, with that said, WordPress is a great example of a CMS because it's free, easy to use, and great for building sites for small businesses.

Need help finding your way around Wordpress.org?

Check out this free online tutorial from Elementor.

Step 3- Choose a Website Builder

A website builder is a program used to create and design web pages and can be used by almost anyone because coding expertise is not necessary.

In fact, all that is required is a design concept, followed by a couple of mouse clicks, to launch a website.

With that said, Elementor is a wonderful choice for a website builder.

Since it has all the features that you need to build a fully functional website.

From a simple landing page to an e-commerce site.

Step 4- Add relevant plugins

A plugin is a piece of software that adds new functionality to a website.

For example, MonsterInsights is a useful plugin that lets Google Analytics be used to look at the traffic coming into websites.

Additionally, plugins can be downloaded and installed for a fee or for free.

With that said, WordPress is excellent for such tasks.

Since it offers a vast selection of plugins to choose from.

However, as a general rule, you should never use more than 20 plugins per website and you should only select plugins that are frequently updated.

Step 5- Wireframing

Wireframing is the method of making rough sketches of web pages.

It is an important step in the web design process because it helps with making the structure and content of a website both clearer and more organized.

So, it helps to ensure that the website will be user-friendly.

Also, while wireframing can be done with a pen, a pencil, and some paper, there are other tools available to help you do it digitally.

For example, a digital wireframing software created by Balsamiq.

However, before using a digital wireframing tool, do familiarize yourself with it first.

Since this will help save you time and energy, when trying to figure out how to use it.

Step 6- Copywriting + Images

Copywriting is the process of creating text-based content for websites.

However, it's more than just words on a page.

Instead, it's about carefully choosing the right words to make people feel a certain way.

With that said, there are a number of tools that can help with this.

So, for example, Rytr is a great AI writing assistant that helps create content in seconds.

While Yoast is a great tool for maintaining search engine-friendly content.

Last but not least, when writing copy for a website, make sure to include relevant images.

You can find these online for free or for a fee.

With Pixabay, Unsplash, Pexel and Canva being great examples of where you can source these from.

Step 7- Integrate Social Media

Social media platforms are powerful online tools that let users create, share, and interact with content and each other.

So, integrating social media is important for small business websites because it improves the user experience and makes your site look better by appearing more interactive.

It will also help businesses achieve their goals (i.e. brand awareness) and grow their social media following.

So much so that social media integration is now seen as a basic requirement for many small businesses today.

Step 8- Privacy Notice & Terms of Use

When designing small business websites, do take note of the following:

• Privacy Notice
• Terms of Service

A privacy notice is a legal document that explains how a business gets information, uses it, shares it, and protects it.

Most countries today require that this legal document be posted on every website that collects personal information.

For example, via an email sign-up form, a contact form, or the use of analytical cookies (e.g. Google Analytics).

On the other hand, a terms of service agreement is a contract that web users must agree to in order to use a website.

Even though this isn't usually required, it might still be a good thing to have because it may be able to help if a case involving your website goes to court.

Lastly, if you want more information about any of the above, feel free to contact the relevant organizations in your country.

Since I am neither a lawyer nor a solicitor, and I am in no way giving you legal advice.

What web design services are available?

Small business web design services are widely available these days.

While budgets and fees are both important factors to consider when choosing this route.

So, if you have a limited budget, Fiverr is a great site to visit.

However, in the event of working with an agency (like a web design agency or digital marketing agency), they will take care of everything and charge you the price that you both agree to.

What is the onboarding process like?

Well, as a general rule, the first step will be for you to explain what you want done.

Then, once this is clear, a good agency will go ahead with designing your small business website.

Conclusion

In summary, small business websites are an important tool that can contribute to a small business's growth and success.

Since they are often the first point of contact for most people and can influence whether they choose to do business with you.

With so many factors to consider, it is important that we all get it right.

Lastly, when designing a website for your small business, please keep in mind the following:

• Web Hosting + Domain Name
• Content Management Systems
• Website Builders
• Plugins
• Wireframing
• Copywriting + Images
• Social Media
• Privacy Notice + Terms of Use

So, why delay?

Start designing your small business website today.

Finally, do contact me if you require any further assistance.

Since I am willing to assist you, as an experienced Marketer with over ten years of experience.

Alternatively, feel free to follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn.