Business 101: Building Your Website
In today’s online world, having a website for your business is
essential for the success of your company. But knowing you need a
website and actually building one are two very different things.
Knowing how to build a business website can be tricky business but
luckily we have you covered.
Here’s a primer on building
a business website: what you should do, what you shouldn’t do, and
how you can help your business succeed.
Know what you need
Not all websites are the same. In order to build a killer business website, you need to know exactly what’s required. Are you building an e-commerce platform? A landing page? A mobile app? The answer to each of these questions will dictate the route you take to build your site.
Sit down with your team and brainstorm the requirements of the website. Not everything has to be achievable with the initial go-live, but you must ensure your end result is scalable. Once you have those requirements, use them to determine the skill sets you need to build them. Do you need someone versed in PHP? Perhaps you want someone skilled in Shopify? The answer to these questions will help you hire the right talent for the job.
Hire a professional
It can seem tempting to develop your own website, particularly with so many code-free options for development on the market. But, don’t do that.
Self-service platforms like Wix or Squarespace come with a slew of problems. Their code isn’t optimized making validation and proper SEO a pipe dream. They also lock you into ongoing payment plans, which can prove more expensive than developing your own website with a professional.
When designing your business’s website, do yourself a favor and go with a professional.
Don’t neglect your brand
Your brand is your business’s calling card. It’s essential that your website embodies your brand. Even the most well-designed site can fail if it’s not true to your company’s look and feel. Sit down with your designer and make sure you’re both on the same page when it comes to your brand. Ensure all the typography, colors, and imagery used are in line with your business’s look and feel. If in doubt, employ blind testing. If test audiences can’t identify your site without your logo present, you know you have to go back to the drawing board.
Budget well
Like a plumber, a web developer is something you don’t skimp on. In the world of web design and development, you very much get what you pay for.
When building your website, ensure you’ve budgeted well for the project. You don’t have to pay a fortune, but you ought to be prepared to pay a fair rate for the work done. This is where doing some research is essential. Figure out what the going rate is for local talent and be prepared to pay that. It can be tempting to farm your work overseas but again: you get what you pay for.
Build the right website
Talk with the professionals at Lognosys about
designing a business website that’s built for optimization and
growth. For example, many websites are built to link to your Customer
Relationship Management (CRM) tool and/or Enterprise Resource
Planning (ERP) system. If possible, do both. Why? Because interfacing
your CRM and ERP systems means optimizing your internal sales team
and customer
experience. That said, traditional ERP software can be pricey, so if
that’s out of reach, consider using software that will allow you to
integrate
certain ERP features without
having to invest in a traditional ERP system.
Building
a business website is no walk in the park. Luckily, you don’t have
to do it alone. By budgeting well, knowing your requirements, and
hiring the right talent you’ll be well on your way to publishing a
killer website.
Unsplash
