Small businesses and entrepreneurs are the backbones of the American economy. According to a report by the Small Business Administration, small businesses account for more than half of all jobs in the United States. That's a lot of people! If you're a small business owner, having a website that represents your company well is crucial. A high-quality web design can help you attract new customers and increase sales. A well-designed and thought-out website should be part of your digital marketing strategy. Your digital marketing strategy is what encompasses all aspects of your online presence as a small business.
Small businesses have unique needs and potentially smaller budgets than their large corporate counterparts but still, need professional websites. Some considerations should be made when it comes to hiring the right web designer for your small business, and it can be overwhelming to sort it all out. Here we'll discuss web design for small businesses and how to find the right designer for your company. We'll also provide tips on creating a user-friendly website that potential customers will love. Your end goal should always be a user-friendly site that integrates the necessary and proper SEO for your business.
SEO for Small Businesses
First and foremost, your website should be designed with your target audience in mind. Understanding who you are marketing to and designing your site accordingly is essential. For example, suppose you're a local business targeting customers in your city. In that case, you'll want to ensure your website is optimized for search engines like Google so potential customers can easily find you when searching for keywords related to your business. Your website should integrate specific keywords and phrases into the text to utilize proper SEO techniques. Working with a team of experts from a digital marketing agency will help direct your SEO methods.
For instance, if you're a local business in New York, you'll want to be shown to local New York potential customers. Your SEO will need to include "digital marketing in New York" or "web design agency in New York" for potential clients to find you accurately. Much of this SEO information comes from in-depth data analysis that not all web design companies will be able to access. It's best to work with a digital marketing agency on your SEO.
When it comes to web design for small businesses, the first step is understanding SEO and how it can help your business. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the practice of optimizing a website for Google search to earn higher web traffic levels and improve the site's visibility. This can even matter in your domain name. Make sure it's easy to spell and remember. A digital marketing agency can work with you on your SEO strategies and domain name choices.
As a small business owner, you should care about SEO because it can significantly impact your bottom line. A study by Brightedge found that organic traffic (i.e., traffic from searches) has a much higher close rate than other marketing channels like social media or PPC. In other words, if people find your website through a search engine, they're more likely to buy something from you.
There are many moving parts to SEO, but some basics include optimizing your website content, using the right keywords, and building links to your site. You don't need to be an SEO expert to implement basic optimization techniques, but it is important to understand how it works. If you're unsure where to start with SEO, we recommend reading our guide on SEO basics to build credibility for small businesses.
Hiring a Web Designer
Now that you understand why web design is essential for small businesses and startups and what goes into designing and developing a website, it's time to find someone who can help you create a site that meets your small business website design needs.
Finding a web designer can be daunting, but it's important to take your time and find someone who is the right fit for your business. There are a few things you should keep in mind when you're looking for a web designer or web design agency, including:
Their portfolio: Does their work reflect the style and aesthetic you're looking for?
Their process: Do they have a clear process that they follow when working on a project?
Their communication style: Do they listen to your needs and concerns? Are they easy to get in touch with?
Their reviews: What do other people say about working with them?
You can find web development designers through online directories like Behance or Dribbble, or you can search for web design firms in your area. There are sites like Fiverr and Upwork where you can connect with freelance designers looking for work. Once you've found a few website development designers you like, reach out to them and see if they're available for your project.
Your web designer should also be aware of the latest web design trends and utilize them appropriately. One trend that has been popular in recent years is the responsiveness of a site, which means that your website will look good on all devices, from desktop computers to mobile phones. A good web designer will be up-to-date on the latest trends and use them to enhance the user experience on your site without making it look dated or out of touch. According to a recent study, 60% of respondents used the internet to find local businesses at least several times a week. You can't let these numbers pass you by.
Creating a User-Friendly Website
Once you've found the perfect web designer for your small business, it's time to start thinking about your website's user experience (UX). UX is all about creating a website that is easy to use and navigate. A good UX will help improve the overall conversion rate of your site by making it easier for visitors to find what they're looking for and take the desired action.
Some things to keep in mind when designing a user-friendly website include:
The navigation: How easy is it for users to find what they're looking for?
The content: Is the content well-written and relevant to your audience?
The design: Is the design clean and visually appealing?
The functionality: Does the website work properly on all devices?
By keeping these things in mind, you can create an effective and user-friendly website.
eCommerce Website
Your web designer should also be able to create a custom website or utilize existing templates (like WordPress websites) to create a site that meets your specific needs. For example, if you're selling products online, you'll need an eCommerce solution like Shopify or woo-commerce. If you're a startup company, you might want to consider using a landing page template to help get your business off the ground quickly and easily.
An eCommerce website is a website that allows visitors to purchase products or services online. To create an eCommerce website, you'll need to include certain features and functionality on your site.
Some of the key features you'll need to include are:
A shopping cart: This is where users can add items they want to purchase.
A payment gateway: This is how users will pay for the items in their shopping cart.
Product pages: These are pages that include information about each product, such as the name, price, description, and photos.
Category pages: These are pages that group together similar products, such as all the t-shirts or all the shoes.
A search bar: This allows users to search for specific products on your site.
In addition to these features, you'll also need to make sure that your website is designed in a way that is user-friendly and easy to navigate.
Bottom Line for Web Design for Small Businesses
The bottom line is that all small businesses need a properly built website to stay competitive in today's market. A website is the foundation of your digital marketing strategy, and it's vital to ensure that your site is designed with your users and business goals in mind.
Remember to keep web design best practices when you're ready to build your small business website. And if you need help with your SEO or email marketing, reach out today. Our top-notch SEO experts are ready to help your small business succeed.