Web Design for Small Businesses

Why do some small business owners still insist they don't need a website? The evidence against this position is overwhelming and easy to research. Somehow, in the business owners mind, the World Wide Web ranks below local newspaper advertising or a leaflet drop. They might not say it but that's where their advertising budget has gone.

What is the return on this investment? Quite a few small business owners just don't know! Moving this spend online represents a risk. "The newspaper advert has always brought in enough business to survive." The unconscious worry is that, if I don't run the advert I will suffer.

Money conscious SME's have a recession to deal with, money is tight and experimenting with a brand new website is just a step too far for many. So what is my advice to someone who knows the internet is a good idea but thinks they can't afford it or is worried about taking their advertising monies away from where they have always spent it?


Times change, the internet is still the fastest growing advertising medium and customers are always mentioning it. It's likely you'll embrace it at some stage so.....

Step 1: Buy your domain name. It's cheap and easy to do and you're not committed to doing anything else if you don't want to. Remember, people will most likely be searching for your product or service rather than your businesses name so reflect this in the domain name choice.

Step 2: Make sure you understand your online market. The local paper will have told you about their circulation figures and the number of people who read your advert so ask a local website design company to do the same for the online market.

Step 3: Test the water with a Facebook or Twitter account. They are free, easy to set up and give you an opportunity to market yourself locally.

Step 4: Go one step further with an Ebay or Amazon shop.

Step 5: Talk to a website designer about your online objectives and understand the costs and return on investment. You're the boss here, you know your business and customers, don't be lead into buying something you don't need. Does a market town restaurant need a fancy animation on the home page or would they be better off having a voucher available for download? Better still, make sure you can edit the voucher so as it does what you want it to do when you want it to.

Step 6: Differentiate yourself from the national competition. What can you sell or provide that is too niche for them? Local customer service is a real winner here. Get this aspect across when you are ready to have your own website designed.

Step 7: Get your website designed! Choose a website design company that will listen to your needs and help you to hit your objectives. The website should appeal to your customers, be easy to navigate and drive your bottom line. It's a business tool, not modern art!