How to choose the right website for your business.
This article is for individuals and business that require a website, but have no idea where to start. Most micro and small businesses struggle with the question: How to choose the right website for your business.
A quick google search will reveal how confusing the whole industry is. There is a huge marketplace for websites that only seems to be getting bigger and more confusing.
I’ll try and do away with some of that confusion and help you to make an informed decision for your business.
Firstly, to simplify the decision process, I’m going to classify the options out there into groups. Then I’ll discuss what you can expect from each option.
By the conclusion of this article, you should gain a better insight on how to choose the right website for your business.
Free websites
There are thousands of websites on the internet where you can get a free website. They usually offer a basic website for free, but then require you to pay to get a premium option.
They will provide you with a url or website address like:
thefreewebsitecompany/your-business-name-here
These websites are good for what they are, but should not be considered if you are a business that wants to be taken seriously. Very few people, if any will ever consider buying products or services from a website like that. And even fewer would consider inputting their payment details into a site like that.
Click builders
There are currently a number of good click builder options available to businesses and individuals looking to set up a website for the first time.
These services enable a person with little or no knowledge to build a website quite easily by clicking, dragging and dropping pre-prepared components in order to achieve the look and feel they want. It’s a great option for small businesses just starting out who want a brochure website or a simple website that gives a bit of information about their business.
Click builders – premium
Some click builder services offer some dynamism and complex functionality at an extra cost. Some even offer ecommerce solutions that charge based on the number of transactions that are made via the website.
Some click builder services offer some dynamism and complex functionality at an extra cost. Some even offer ecommerce solutions that charge based on the number of transactions that are made via the website.
This option can be ideal for a business just starting out and wanting to test the waters. It can however, become very expensive very quickly when the sales start rolling in, making it unsustainable for many small businesses in the long term.
Freelance web designers / web developers & consultants
If you are a small business looking to harness the power of the internet to really get your business to take off or move up to the next level, then building a good relationship with a web developer is a good idea.
Web designers / Web developers can add real value to your business as they will take the time to understand what your business is all about. A good freelancer will take the time to truly get an idea of what you and your business are trying to achieve.
After all, it’s in their best interest that you stay in business. In other words, your success is their success.
Freelance techies and consultants are worth a consideration when you are thinking of how to choose the right website for your business.
Media Agencies
Media Agencies have changed over the years and can now often offer everything your business will need to succeed online under one roof.
In the past, you would need a design agency to design your logo and stationary, etc. The design agency would also design your website. (but not build it)
You would then need to contract a software (house) agency to build the website as designed. Once you were live, you would need to focus on marketing.
You would then need the services of an online marketing agency. They would take care of marketing your business online. This would include generating traffic to your website via search engine optimisation S.E.O, social media marketing and other tools.
Nowadays a media agency will take care of all these things for your business in one place and charge you a small fortune for it.
If you are a business that stands to make big gains online, (50% or more of your core business income) then it’s worth the investment. If your core business is offline with 25% or less online, then a freelancer would be the way to go. (In my opinion)
Some businesses that stand to make massive gains online but don’t have any inhouse expertise, can hire a freelancer to come in, gain an understanding of your business goals in the short and long term. They can then assist with (become your expert/consultant) in dealing with media agencies to ensure nothing is lost in translation.
*Media Agencies work with many diverse clients and usually speak millennial technical glup talk. Many have business managers who can work with you, but it’s always better to have your own guy in the room who understands the jargon and how much things should cost, what is necessary, how success should be measure etc. Someone who can ensure you are getting value for money.
A freelancer on your side can assist to see a big project through and advise on the ongoing maintenance of tech once it’s been established.
Conclusion
After all is said and done, it’s still not an easy choice to make.
You must consider where you are as a business:
- What is your current online presence like?
- What opportunity is there for your business online?
- What inhouse technical expertise do you have?
- How much has the business set aside as a tech budget?
- What sort of return are you expecting to get from your investment?
- Have you mapped out a delivery timeline?
- etc
Once you write these things down, it will become clear where you should start. You should now have a better idea of how to choose the right website for your business.
Still in doubt???
Get in touch and let’s talk. We can point you in the right direction.
Asterix: * This is subjective and reflects my opinion only.