Creating a website for your business or brand has many advantages. It helps you to promote your products and services; it makes you look professional, attracts potential customers, builds brand awareness and ensures the growth of your business.
The yellow pages have died out, and to survive the world today, every business or brand must have an online presence. Many people conduct research online before they purchase products or take part in a service from a company. A business with no online presence does not look credible.
A great website is ultimately a marketing tool that allows you to engage with customers effectively and efficiently and gives your brand or business legitimacy.
Here are five tips from White Peak Digital you can use to create a professional website.
-
Choose a Good Domain Name
Choosing the right domain is one of the most crucial steps to creating a professional website. It is the first thing that potential customers see and will affect how they view your brand.
Your domain name should match your brand and be easy to identify. A long domain name will be hard to remember, so ensure that it is short and sweet.
You should also ensure that there are no similar domain names on the internet and always go with “.com” as it is the most popular domain name extension worldwide, according to bluehost.com.
-
Identify the Purpose of Your Website
There are many different types of websites, and to identify the purpose of your website, you first have to determine whether it will be an e-commerce or lead-generation site.
An e-commerce site is generally used for the buying and selling of goods or services. A lead-generation website is mostly used to inform consumers or lead them to a particular product or service.
Identifying your website’s purpose will enable you to prioritize the content that is posted. This will ensure that customers are not bombarded with unnecessary information.
-
Choose the Right Web Builder/Software
Many businesses and professionals are using website builders instead of creating their websites from scratch. Not only is this route quicker, but it is more efficient.
There are many website builders on the internet, and the right one depends on your needs and budget.
The following are 4 of the most popular website builders: · WordPress · Squarespace · Weebly · Wix
-
Choose the Best Theme or Template
The theme or template depends on the purpose of your website and your brand. It is an extension of your personality and has to be creative and user-friendly. Choosing the right theme or template will determine whether customers will want to visit your website.
The most important thing to consider when choosing a theme or template is how responsive it is. Your website should be easy to navigate and function on many devices. Many visitors have left a website because it could not load on their mobile device.
You should also choose a template or theme that is customizable or compatible with plug-ins, apps and extensions.
-
Boost Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Once you have published your website, you must now ensure that it is easy to find. According to searchengineland.com, Search Engine Optimization is the process of improving your website to increase its visibility and relevance.
The following are ways you can have a successful SEO:
- Use appropriate keywords that are relevant to your business or brand.
- Post new and compelling content to attract search engines.
- Do not use unnecessary images or animation as they will slow down your website’s load time.
- Include internal and external links that relate to your content.
-
Test Your Website before Publishing
Previewing your website before publishing is a significant step as it allows you to identify any issues and make changes.
Below are some things to look for before publishing your website:
- Grammatical Errors
- Load Speed
- Display and Readability
- Functional Links
Creating a website for your business or brand is a major investment that allows you to reach a wider audience and establish credibility in a particular market. Once you have followed all these tips, you can go ahead and launch your website.
