Saturday, February 27, 2021

How Do I Find Someone To Build My Website


 

How Do I Find Someone To Build My Website?

There are 2 main reasons you may be asking, “How do I find someone to build my website?

Reason 1: You don’t have a website and you need to hire someone to build one.

Reason 2: You already have a website and you either A) lost track of the person who built your website or B) you’re not happy with the results you’re getting. This can present a two-fold problem for you. Not only do you need to hire someone – you also may need to FIRE someone and that’s never a pleasant experience.

Web Design Options for Small Businesses

The prospect of building a website for your small business can seem daunting. However, there are ways to simplify the process and still create a web design that showcases the best qualities of your business!

Hiring an experienced web design professional takes the pressure off of you and guarantees a custom website that functions on a variety of devices. When you choose a website vendor to build my website, you will still have some homework to do if you’re going to reap the benefits of “doing it right” versus “getting it done”.

The website vendor you choose should have a vested interest in who you are and what you do. And this is BEFORE you have made a final decision or have spent any money.

Look for a vendor who, after you’ve requested a proposal to build, fix, or redesign an existing site, exhibits an understanding of what you need and offers clear cut solutions to meet those needs. They should be asking you questions and gathering information. If they can’t meet your needs, they should be making suggestions of where you might be better served.

If you want to build a website yourself, there are plenty of resources online that can provide you with the tools you need to get started. After all, nobody knows you better than you do. But please do your homework here as well. You can build it but will they come?

There is more to building a website than a pretty face and no one knows that better than an experienced, qualified, and diligent web design. If building your own site suits your business perfectly though, and it does in some instances, we’ll share some pitfalls we’ve learned to avoid for the DIYs out there whom we truly admire and tip our hats to!

Whether you are a local small business owner, an entrepreneur, or a nonprofit organization, keep reading to learn about your options. The first step to a new and improved public face for your business through website solutions is choosing your path to success.

Hiring a Web Design Company To Build My Website

Do you want a unique custom website that represents your local business but don’t know where to start? If so, hiring a web designer is the right option for you.

Team 218 Web Services has been involved in web design and development since 2004. We’ve built valued relationships with our clients and truly enjoy our continued endeavors with our diverse portfolio. We work with small businesses all over the state of Iowa.

We’ve created a wide variety of websites over the years, so we know how to keep your viewers engaged while providing a design that stands out from the rest. Our websites are optimized for usability, meaning that your website will be simple to navigate on laptops, phones, and tablets. This is more important now than ever since most people own more than one device in their homes.

We know the importance of using search engine optimization tactics to increase the traffic of your targeted audience. By implementing SEO and having easily accessible content, your website has an increased ranking in search results which means more business for you. And as you’re most likely already aware, advancements in technology have trained a large percentage of people to explore a business online first to ensure it meets their particular needs.

Your website, and its’ associated online presence, is the primary means by which information is sought out about you and about what you do. Your first impression – the users experience in your web design elements, the site functionality, and inclusion of relevant page content mapping – means that one chance to wow them at your first official meet and greet. And excellent first meetings often lead to many more!

Having a well-designed web page will give you a competitive advantage in your industry and enhance your credibility as a business.

All across the Hawkeye state, we’ve provided custom web design options for local small businesses that generate more in-person customers as well as online traffic.

What is our process for designing and creating a website?

At Team 218, we strive to create unique websites that help local small businesses grow. Our process to get you the website of your dreams is simple. We gather information from you over the phone or online and then form your website utilizing Organic SEO copywriting techniques. The overall process from start to finish takes about four to six weeks, and then you can expect your custom website to be online and ready to use!

We also help with existing websites that need updating or debugging. We are very responsive to customers every step of the way to ensure that you’re satisfied with the finished product.

Building a Website Yourself

If you’ve decided to create your website yourself, here are some tips to get started and things to avoid!

There are a lot of factors to consider when building a website from scratch, such as choosing a domain name, deciding how to customize your website, and what content to include. Luckily, there are plenty of resources online that make the process easier, regardless of technical skill level. Most of them have varying features based on your budget, knowledge of web design, and the amount of time you’re able to dedicate to your project.

Some available DIY website builders include:

There are countless other website builders to choose from depending on your preferences and budget. Most of these sites produce quick results and usually require minimal technical and design knowledge on your part.

However, there are disadvantages that novices should be aware of when considering using web builders. For example, the webpage templates might look generic and not be accessible on all devices. This could prevent a potential customer from navigating your website easily and persuade them to opt for a competitor instead. Some DIY website builders have limited Organic SEO options. Investigate and choose wisely.

A good tip when creating a web design is to know your targeted audience. What are customers looking for when they visit your website? What type of imagery embodies your company values and personality? What can I do to set myself apart from similar businesses a customer might encounter? Considering these questions will give you insight into your viewers expectations when they click on your website.

What are some things to avoid when designing a website?

As you go through the process of creating your website, there are certain things you want to keep in mind to avoid driving your customers away.

Here are 4 common mistakes beginners make:

  1. Your webpage is too cluttered. ​Having too many elements on one page can be overwhelming and distract from the main focus of your business.
  2. You don’t have a clear call to action. ​Your viewers should immediately be informed of the purpose of your website and what you offer.
  3. Poor usability. ​A website that has a confusing layout and can’t be viewed on all devices could deter customers from returning.
  4. Not using SEO. ​This can have a major impact on the visibility of your website in search engine results.

Ready to set your business on the path to success?

Now that you know some of the options for small business web development, you’re on your way to having a great website. We hope you have a better idea of how to answer the question of

How Do I Find Someone To Build My Website?

Whether you decide to create your website from scratch or hire our professional team, we are here to offer our services to you! Contact Team 218 with any website design or development needs at our number (309) 912-5139 or use our contact form. You can learn more about the process we use on our Web Design & Development page. You can also find a lot of good information in our Knowledge Base.

Better yet, why not schedule a Free 30 minute Zoom Meeting to discuss your website needs. We’ll help you clear up and questions you may have and you’ll be better prepared to get a great website.

We look forward to learning about you!


Team 218 Web Services

Friday, February 26, 2021

Website News


 

Keeping Up In The Online World

 Let’s take a look at some recent website news and see what’s new.

WORDPRESS: We’re big fans of WordPress and use it for 99% of our websites. W3Techs keeps track of statistics for the internet and they just announced that WordPress now powers 40% of the web. That’s up from 35% just a few months ago – huge growth.

SSL: 82% of websites now use SSL certificates for additional security. We use SSL security certificates on every site we build.

HTTPS: 91% of the top 1000 sites are using HTTPS by default.

SQUARESPACE: Squarespace is now the 4th most popular content management system overtaking Drupal and Wix.

GMAIL: 18.4% of websites and 37.9% of the top 1000 websites use Gmail as email service provider.

One thing you can count on when it comes to the internet is constant change. As business guru Tom Peters once said, “If you’re not getting better, you’re getting worse.”

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Solon Area Community Foundation Website Launch - Solon, IA

 


Solon Area Community Foundation Website Launch

Team 218 Web Services recently completed the brand new website for the Solon Area Community Foundation.

The Solon Area Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building Solon’s future. They are supported 100% by donations. They entertain requests for funding a variety of community projects, with an eye to having a broad impact in the Solon, Iowa area.

We first learned about the SACF early in 2020 during an interview with Doug Lindner for the North Liberty Leader.

After speaking with Doug, we decided to offer our services to design and create a website at no charge for this community focused nonprofit. We collaborated on content and design and then created the site using WordPress as the foundation of the website.

We photographed some of the iconic spots in and around Solon for use on the website and gathered images from community members as well.

In addition to providing financial assistance to various community projects, SACF annually gives three $750 scholarships to Solon High School seniors as well as a $4,000 Doris Looney Memorial Scholarship (over $47,500 to date).

We also added a donation page where anyone can make a donation to the foundation by check or online.

Visit the Solon Area Community Foundation website and see the finished product.

The SACF is now positioned to be more visible to the community and ensure their mission is successful. We are very happy to be able to support organizations like the SACF and are always on the lookout for candidates of our nonprofit assistance. To find out more about our work with nonprofit groups, please visit our Nonprofit page.

If you’re interested in learning how Team 218 Web Services can help you achieve the perfect website for your business, please visit our Web Design & Development page.

5 SEO Tips for Iowa Businesses: Get Found Online

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