Creating a Website For Your Business

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.3.3" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.3.3" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.3.3" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_text admin_label="H2&H3 - Titles" _builder_version="4.3.3" header_font="|700||on|||||" header_text_align="left" header_2_font="|700||on|||||" global_colors_info="{}"]

Tips From a Professional Web Designer

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.3.3" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.3.3" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_text admin_label="Preface" _builder_version="4.12.0" global_colors_info="{}"]

 You have a business. You need a website. Where do you start?

We're here to help you out with a little guidance on your trek to getting online with a website for your business. Rest assured you're not the only person to be in this position and since we see a lot of interest in this topic we decided to share some of our experience with you.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version="4.12.0" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_code][et_pb_text admin_label="Preface" _builder_version="4.12.0" global_colors_info="{}"]

 When you're creating a website for your business there are 2 choices to make at the very beginning of your process. Which one you choose will depend on your budget, your level of technical skills, and your sense of adventure.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_2,1_2" use_custom_gutter="on" gutter_width="2" make_equal="on" _builder_version="4.3.3" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="4.3.3" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_image src="https://ift.tt/3jNGne7" alt="DIY Website" _builder_version="4.3.3" global_colors_info="{}" transform_styles__hover_enabled="on|hover" transform_scale__hover_enabled="on|desktop" transform_translate__hover_enabled="on|desktop" transform_rotate__hover_enabled="on|hover" transform_skew__hover_enabled="on|desktop" transform_origin__hover_enabled="on|desktop" transform_rotate__hover="0deg|0deg|-1deg"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="4.3.3" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_image src="https://ift.tt/3bqcM61" alt="PRO Website" _builder_version="4.3.3" global_colors_info="{}" transform_styles__hover_enabled="on|hover" transform_scale__hover_enabled="on|desktop" transform_translate__hover_enabled="on|desktop" transform_rotate__hover_enabled="on|hover" transform_skew__hover_enabled="on|desktop" transform_origin__hover_enabled="on|desktop" transform_rotate__hover="0deg|0deg|1deg"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_2,1_2" use_custom_gutter="on" gutter_width="2" _builder_version="4.3.3" custom_margin="0px||||false|false" custom_padding="0px||||false|false" border_width_right="1px" border_width_bottom="1px" border_width_left="1px" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="4.3.3" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.9.10" link_font="|600|||on|||#000000|" link_text_color="#000000" custom_padding="|10px|0px|10px|false|true" global_colors_info="{}"]

Do It Yourself

If you're on a tight budget and feel confident in your ability with technology you might find yourself in this column.

Keep in mind when considering the DIY route, you'll also need the time to devote to doing it yourself. There is the time required to learn whatever website product to go with. Don't forget about the time to conceptualize your design and turn it into an actual digital work of art.

DIY can be a good option for a starter website. The current crop of website builders have a nice array of design tools that let you create a good looking website without any technical knowledge.

What do you need to DIY?

• Domain (Your website's address)
• Hosting
• Content (text & images)

Actually there's a little more to it but those are the 3 main categories.

Most of the major players in the DIY business include a domain and shared hosting in their website builder packages. You just need to create your content and choose a template to format it.

Here are a few of the DIY website builders vying for your dollars today.

• WIX
• Weebly
• GoDaddy Website Today
• Wordpress.com (different from Wordpress.org)
• Squarespace

Any of these platforms will let you create a website without too much technical knowledge. Many of the low cost versions are limited in one aspect or another. Some limit the number of users allowed in a certain time period. Some limit bandwidth and storage space.

With a DIY package you are also limited in functionality. Most don't allow you to upload any plugins. You are stuck using their themes, although the themes they offer can look really good.

Most of these website builders aren't suitable for eCommerce unless you're creating a small online store. Plan on upgrading to one of the deluxe (more expensive) plans if you need ecommerce.

What about SEO? We wrote a blog post about our experience with Weebly. You can read that Weebly blog post here.

 

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="4.3.3" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.3.3" link_font="|600|||on|||#0c71c3|" link_text_color="#0c71c3" custom_padding="|10px|0px|10px|false|true" global_colors_info="{}"]

Hire a Pro

Using a Pro is a much different experience than the DIY route. When you hire a web designer to create your website, much of the work involved becomes the responsibility of the web designer, freeing you to concentrate on your business. Let's take a look at what we do for a typical web design project.

• Domain name research & procurement
• Set up Hosting on appropriate plan
• Install and configure Wordpress
• Select and install WP Theme
• Create Child Theme
• Configure Theme settings
• Set default color palette
• Set default typography
• Determine necessary plugins, install and configure
• Create User Interface
• Create pages using Organic SEO tactics
• Use appropriate images and textures
• We take high resolution photographs when necessary
• Review design with client & modify as needed
• Launch site
• Configure Google Search Console, Google Analytics, Google Maps, & Google MyBusiness
• Configure Bing Webmaster Tools
• Configure site to use InfiniteWP for continuous monitoring
• Provide client training
• Configure custom email as needed*
  (optional)

Those things are what you don't get with a DIY website builder.

A responsible web design firm like Team 218 will ensure that the pages of your website are designed and built with solid Organic SEO tactics. This is something that is more difficult to add on after the fact. Without good Organic SEO, your search results will suffer and it will be almost impossible to achieve a good ranking.

When we design a website we include all of the above and we also include hosting and all maintenance for 12 months. We keep a close eye on the site not only to make sure any updates are completed promptly, but also to monitor Search results. We may make many adjustments to a page to affect the SERP.

We are confident we deliver a better result than you can get from a DIY builder.

On top of everything else, we provide the best customer service you'll find anywhere.

We can't speak for other web design firms but we know you'll be happy with one of our websites. Ask any of our clients.

 

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.3.3" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.3.3" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.3.3" global_colors_info="{}"]

Summary

Buyer Beware

Website builders are in business to make a profit. That's why they have limitations on their lower tier plans. They want you to upgrade. They also don't want to see you leave. Because of this it's very difficult to move your site away from most of the DIY builders. Something to keep in mind if you decide to use one.

What we said in our blog post about our experience with Weebly still applies.

The DIY path to a website is a viable option if you are just starting out and want to get your name on the web. Using DIY services for any serious business website may leave you wanting more. Your DIY website may also appear amateurish due to ads. You will suffer from less than stellar SEO results. These are all things a business owner should not have to deal with.

Our advice? Use this approach only if you absolutely have to and then only as a stop-gap measure. If you decide to go ahead with a DIY plan, take your time and PAY ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS. Check your spelling and grammar and make sure you are consistent and get things like phone numbers and addresses correct. If you get stuck, we'll be here to help you out.

To ensure the best first impression and a trouble-free website experience, we recommend hiring a profession web designer. Yes we're a little biased but we're giving you our honest opinion. Remember - it doesn't cost anything to ask questions. Call, text, email, or use our contact forms anytime. We're always glad to help.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.4.0" global_colors_info="{}"]

You can read more about Web Design and finding the right website person on our home page.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Original post here: Creating a Website For Your Business

Redesigning Your Website

Do websites have a shelf life?

That depends. Most websites are built using technologies and design trends that are current when the site is created. These technologies and trends change over time. Even though your website still functions, it might not be sending the message you want it to convey. It could be time to consider redesigning your website. Ask yourself...

1. Is the design of my website outdated? Your website is designed with a purpose in mind. Is that purpose being conveyed? If not, then it may be time to think about redesigning your website to update your website’s look and feel. We can help you develop a new site that is both stunning and functional.
2. Does my website work across all devices? How about on smartphones and tablets? Your website needs to work across all devices and screen sizes. It needs to be responsive and look good on all devices. We can build a website that is responsive to all screen sizes.
3. Do I have the latest technology? When was the last time you updated your website to the latest technologies? Your website should be built using the most current technologies and design trends. If you are using outdated technologies, your website could be slow to load and hard to navigate. It could be time for an upgrade.
4. Is my website secure? Your website should be built with security in mind. This includes being coded to prevent any data breaches or other attacks. It also means that the site is built with a focus on privacy. We can help you build a website that meets these requirements. Websites are not just static pages of text and images. They are dynamic and can change over time.

Website Redesign

What Should You Expect? Your website is more than a list of static pages. It’s a digital hub of information. That means it must be easy to navigate and offer an intuitive experience for users. But in order to provide a better user experience, you must first know what your visitors expect from your website. What should they see and do on your website? How can you improve their overall experience? Read on to learn the answers to these questions and much more!

1. Why Do Visitors Come To My Website? The goal of every website is to drive users to make a purchase, fill out a form, or find something on the site. If you’re looking to increase sales, you’ll want to make sure that your site offers everything a visitor needs to take action. To find out what people expect from your site, you need to understand their motivations for visiting your site. This means understanding why they come to your site in the first place.
2. What Are The Most Important Pages On My Site? What are the most important pages on your site? What do visitors come to your site to find? For instance, if your company sells products, what page on your site would they visit to find out more about the product? If you sell services, what page would they visit to find out more about how your service can help them? What pages are your visitors most likely to ignore? What do visitors do once they arrive at your site?
3. What Should I Put In My Website Content? How should you write content for your website? To start with, you should always use a writing style that is conversational and direct. Your goal is to speak to your audience as if you’re talking to them personally. This will make your content more engaging, and it will encourage your audience to interact with you.
4. Do I Need To Write Longer Content? There are two ways to write content for your website. You can write short, succinct content on a wide variety of topics. Or, you can write long-form content on a specific topic. Short-form content is perfect for blog posts and other shorter content. Long-form content is better suited for longer pages such as product descriptions, case studies, or FAQs. As you create content, make sure to incorporate keywords and keyword phrases into your text but make sure to do it in a natural manner. Just stuffing your content with keywords is never a good idea and can lead to reduced traffic from Google.
5. Are You Using Google Search Console? The webmaster tools from Google provides a link report which shows all the back-links pointing to your site. This is an invaluable tool to find out what are the top linking root domains, and to see which anchor text they are using. This data will help you to create more relevant anchor text for your internal links, which will improve your internal link profile. When you have the traffic coming in, it’s time to start thinking about how to convert that traffic into leads.

Website Redesign Technical Aspects

If you decide you want to redesign your website there are a few technical aspects to keep in mind. Site Structure. It's important for the new website design to not lose the site structure of the existing site. Use the same page structure or utilize a 301 redirect to send users to a new page. Keep the Same URLs. If you decide to redirect old pages to new ones, make sure that they use the same URL structure as the old site. This way, users will be able to find what they're looking for if they've bookmarked the old URL. Include Links in the New Design. If you're redesigning a large website, it's important to include links in the new design to the new pages so that people can easily navigate the site. Use a Content Management System (CMS) to Manage Your Pages. A CMS makes it easy to update your site with new content and to easily make any changes to your website's design. You should be able to start redesigning your site right away, but be sure to give yourself enough time to get it done right. If you have a lot of pages on your site, you may need to hire someone to create an SEO-friendly website design. Team 218 Web Services specializes in website redesign projects. You can find more information on our Website Design page. We'd be happy to review your unique situation and offer our recommendations for redesigning your website. Call us at 319-333-0815 or email chuck@team218.com.

Original post here: Redesigning Your Website