Whether you own a business or an individual brand, a website is a valuable tool for its success. Though it may take time and effort to create an engaging and impressive business website, it will be worthwhile.  

So, here are seven key steps that you need to follow to build a great small business website. 

7 Key Steps to Setting Up a Website for Your Brand 

1. Get a good domain name 

If you’re a new business owner, registering your domain name is the first step to getting started. Your domain name or website address is often the first entry point to your website. It must make a good impression for usability purposes and search engine optimisation (SEO) purposes.  

Below are a few tips for choosing an appropriate domain name: 

  • Make it easy to spell or type. 
  • Keep it as short as possible. 
  • Avoid numbers and hyphens.
  • Ensure it is memorable. 

2. Get a secure and scalable web hosting with good tech support 

A web hosting is where a website is stored or “hosted” so it can be accessed on the internet, which makes it a must-have for building a website.  

You connect your domain name to your web hosting, which is stored on a hosting server, to make it visible and accessible to people via their browsers.  

Common types of web hosting include: 

  • Shared hosting (when you share your server and its resources with other customers) 
  • Dedicated Hosting (when the entire server is dedicated to your website) 
  • VPS hosting (a hosting service that uses virtualization technology to provide you with dedicated resources on a server with multiple users) 

Technically, VPS hosting is still shared hosting since it creates virtual compartments on a sole physical server (we’ve discussed its difference with Dedicated Hosting here). Choosing the right type of hosting will depend on your website type and business needs. 

3. Write a clear description about your business 

It is essential to let people know who you are and what you do as soon as they land on your website. Ensure that your homepage banner visually represents your products and services well. Displaying a text blurb about your brand in the first half of the page is also a great way to make an introduction.  

Additionally, ensure your main and footer navigation menus have “About Us” page links easily accessible so the visitors can read about your business in depth with a simple click. 

4. Choose the best CMS  

Every website needs a content management system (CMS), a software application or program used to create and manage digital content. A good CMS will help you maintain your website without requiring much technical knowledge to use it.  

When choosing the right CMS for your business, it is best to look into your specific needs by considering factors such as extensibility, budget, and user-friendliness. WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla are a few great examples of such content management systems. 

5. Choose a good ecommerce platform 

If you plan to sell products and/or services through your website, you will need the right technology and platform. One of the popular ecommerce platforms is WooCommerce. It can easily convert your WordPress website into an ecommerce store and offers scalability and a high number of capabilities.  

6. Create an engaging user interface 

Ensure that your website’s interface is not only user-friendly but also drives results. Learn a thing or two from the following suggestions:  

  • Use easy-to-read fonts and high-quality graphics. 
  • Ensure your graphics are optimised and compressed for fast loading. Slow loading speed may impact your rankings. 
  • See how competitors design their websites, implement similar elements that worked for them, and enhance your site to one-up them. 
  • Design an intuitive navigation system that allows the users to easily get to the pages they’re looking for.
  • Place obvious call-to-action (CTA) buttons across the right pages. 

 7. Test and publish the website 

Before you click the Publish button and make your website visible to customers across the world, ensure that your website runs effortlessly across all browsers, including Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer, etc. Consider applying the following tips:  

  • Proofread and cross-check all information displayed on the site.
  • Check to see if all buttons and navigation links are working. 
  • See if photos and videos show up right. 

You want to ensure your website is accurate, functional, and seamless before launching.
 

Your Website Is Your Online Presence 

A website not only helps small businesses promote and sell their products and services, but it also represents your brand, making it a great resource for consumers that heavily rely on the internet to learn about a company. This makes a website an important business asset for sharing information, building credibility, and of course, driving sales and leads.  

So, whether you plan to take your business online or build a new one, now is the time for action. Those who are looking to DIY their own website can try Bigrock’s drag-and-drop Website Builder. Meanwhile, if you want to leave website-building to the experts, you can give our Website Design service a try.