Websites For Business Owners

Many businesses, small businesses in particular, are looking for an Internet presence, and in their rush to get a website they hire a web designer/ company, often without being sure  exactly why they want a website, what they want the website to do for their business, and even what a web designer actually does.

The result is that the website doesn't really do their business any good, and often not really what they want anyway, and in extremes it can even make it their business look unprofessional.

It is important to realise that your website must have a purpose! So....

What do you Want from your Website?

Before you begin make sure you ask yourself these questions .

• Why do I want a website?
• Will I need to update the site frequently?
• Will I sell products from the website?
• Will I use the website to attract new customers?
• Will the website simply be a brochure for the company?
• What will my website visitors expect to see?
• How much am I prepared to pay?

Website Basics

There are six main aspects to a website. You may decide to outsource all or some of these areas. Here they are:

• Site Look and feel - This is the web design; it includes the graphics, layout including navigation. Most designers tend to concentrate on these areas. It is however only one area. See web designer common tasks.
• Web Page Optimization - This requires SEO (search engine optimisation skills) and can often be the most critical part of the site. See web site/page optimization for website owners .
• Web Site Promotion- You may need to consider how to promote your site and not just rely on people finding the site via the search engines. Website promotion covers all the common methods available.
• Site Content- This is usually you responsibility but you may require assistance with the optimization and guidance on how to present it.
• Selling- Commonly know as ecommerce. This may be the sole purpose of your site or may not figure at all.
• Site Maintenance- This include editing pages and adding new ones etc.

Most web designers  do the the look and feel and basic ecommerce, many will often also do maintenance but it is usually charged extra. It is not uncommon to hire a designer and finish up with a lovely looking website that no one ever visits!

Whether you need web page optimization and promotion etc depends on the market you are in and the requirements of the website. Generally if you expect the website to bring in new customers then you need them both.

Related Articles and Resources:

• 15 Questions You Should Ask your Prospective Web Designer
• Web Designers Directory
• Business Websites