It’s not uncommon for small-business owners to feel overwhelmed with all the business decisions they need to make. One of the most important decisions you can make for your business is how to manage your online presence. Some companies choose to use social media as their only online presence, but this is a big mistake. When you rely on social media, you’re relying on a something you don’t own. At any time, social media platforms can choose to dissolve, and where does that leave you? Where does that leave your customers?
Small-business owners should have their own online presence they control. This online presence is your business website. As you begin the process of building your online presence, you’re bound to have questions about how to set up your small business website. What should it look like? What should you include on the site? These are questions that are easily answered with a few simple steps. Keep reading to learn tips for managing your online presence.
Stick with a Single Website
As a small-business owner, you already have a lot on your to-do list. The last thing you need is to have several websites to manage. It’s not necessary. All you need is one small-business website to connect with your customers and to promote your service or product. Customers will always know how to find you online, which is definitely a positive for your business.
Purchase Your Domain
It’s true that every cent counts when you’re running a small company. However, if you’re going to spend money, you want to spend it on a great web design and your own domain name. What does this mean? It means no other entity has control over your domain name. It also allows you to establish credibility and become a trusted source for your customers.
Design Your Website for Your Customers
Business websites are for your customers, plain and simple. When you’re ready to create a website, you want it to be user-friendly and direct your customers to your featured products and services. Part of maintaining small business website is making sure the user experience is always at the center of everything you do. If the site loads too slowly, you’re going to lose customers. When people have to wait too long for a site to load, they get bored and move on. Crowded webpages with crazy colors and mismatched fonts also turn customers off.
Hire Professional Help
Part of maintaining a website isn’t just creating a great design and owning your own domain name; it’s also about engaging with your visitors. This means continuing to post new, original content, updating the site frequently with news and other announcements, and answering comments or emails from visitors.
If you’re not able to handle all aspects of website management because of time restraints, or you don’t have the knowledge, hire someone who does. Websites for small businesses cannot afford to be stagnant. They need to be updated with fresh content regularly. They also need to be checked for site bugs and other glitches that affect how well the site works.
If you need help maintaining your business’s website, contact AT&T Website Solutions to learn more about hosting services and other website services.
