Which type of website does your business need?

We are faced with many choices daily, most of which we make in the knowledge that we understand the consequences making that decision will have.  However, from time to time we find ourselves in a situation where we don’t have the knowledge to do this, so we rely on professionals to help us.

This may well be the case with your website. You might be at a crossroads with your website, thinking which way shall I go? Shall I just stick with what I have, or shall I start to sell on line, shall I start a blog? ..and how do I go about this?

This can seem to be effectively putting the cart before the horse. Here are a few things to think about that will hopefully make this decision easier:

Content

1.  Analyse and Understand Your Business

Before you even put pen to paper it’s important to look at your business model. Think about your marketing and how your website fits in with your online marketing. Having a strategy for your online marketing is essential to making your website a success.

If your business plans to sell products online, then it’s important to find a web partner who will explain clearly the information required. It’s incredibly important for each product line to have good quality images. Online purchasing is all done with enticing images portraying your products in a mouth-watering way that visitors will find it hard to resist, along with good quality descriptions.

2.  Where are your customers?  And what is their behaviour?

How do you normally acquire your clients? Probably mostly through word of mouth – but have you thought how much you could grow your business if your website generated more traffic by answering a lot of the questions you get asked on a daily basis?  If your content was up to date, and you were offering great advice. Wow, your website could be the wikipedia of your businesses and could generate a lot of enquiries.

Never underestimate the power and value of content. It’s easy to take for granted but is the most important asset you have in your business.

3.  What results do you want from your website?

It’s important to understand from the outset what you want out of your website. Many clients say to me – I’d like a new website!  That’s great, but what is the purpose? What’s it for? and what do you want out of it?  This is so important. A website can be a big investment – but make sure you know what you want out of it – and make sure you have the tools to measure this. Otherwise you could be not only wasting a lot of money but also your website will just get lost amongst the already busy treadmill of the internet.

4.  Are you able to manage the updates in house? Do you need training?

If you don’t have the time or resource to manage your own website as frequently as it requires, then when you engage with a web designer make sure that they are able to help and support you in doing this. They will guide you and advise you what is required.

However if taking control of your website will fit into your schedule then it’s important that you have the right training to guide you on the way forward.  Understand what is required, how to update content and posts, and how to share them with your followers.  Allow time in your schedule to do this.

If you would like to discuss any issues or concerns you may have with your website please get in touch and we will be happy to help.