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Opinion

Creating a small business website.

creating a small business website

It’s 2020 and every business has a website, right? Not quite

The most recent ONS data found that less than half of small businesses (<10 employees) have a website. If you’re behind the curve on this, don’t worry, Ketchup is here to support you in getting your business started online by creating a small business website.

The first step is to accept that for many consumers the internet is now their first port of call. It’s true to say web searches have largely replaced word-of-mouth referrals. Between the years 2017-2018, e-commerce sales rose by 18% - and that figure’s only set to get higher. And some 80% of internet users in the UK do online shopping, too (the highest rate in Europe).

In fact, e-commerce now accounts for over a fifth of total business turnover. So, if you haven’t got a presence online, just think what a 20% uplift in your sales could do for your business. It means a website is no longer simply desirable, it is essential to modern business.

So, let’s get started on filling you in on the steps of creating a small business website.

It’s easier than you think

The good news is that bridging the digital divide and getting your business started online is not as daunting as it might seem at the outset. In fact, creating a small business website is something that can be done at a very reasonable price with a notable ROI.

And with some professional input, you’ll find and capture new leads. Take a look at our company website design page for some examples of easy-to-navigate sites with eye-catching designs and compelling content. These websites are putting businesses like yours ahead of the competition.

In many ways getting your business started online is not dissimilar to starting your venture in the first place - and you’ve done that successfully.

You’ll need a plan but drawing this up will break down the process into a number of tasks, making the whole thing easier to get your head around.

Our step-by-step guide on creating a small business website

  1. Write a lean business plan – this should include market / SWOT analysis and how you’re going to fund the project.
  2. Research, register and purchase your domain name - and ask Ketchup to host it for you.
  3. Make it legal – there are specific online business regulations relating to how you capture and store customers’ personal information. Make sure you comply.
  4. Write copy that sells - but think images, audio and video, too. Ketchup’s expert copywriters can work with you on content.
  5. Commission an expert to design and build an easy-to-use website. If all your website needs to do is provide company information, testimonials and contact details then a brochure-style website will suffice. If you need to incorporate a blog or ecommerce functionality to sell goods or services, you’ll need a more advanced web platform. This will also require a merchant account and shopping cart tool. Our talented web designers can do it all.

Our top tips for creating a small business website that drives traffic

  1. Make sure your website is mobile-friendly – Analytic data shows a clear shift from majority desktop to majority mobile-based traffic – so make sure your site is optimised for mobile. It will help your SEO.
  2. Consider having a Content Management System (CMS) - This will mean you can update your website regularly (good for Google rankings) without any knowledge of HTML or having to rely on external support.
  3. Think about how you can keep in touch with visitors to your website - You’ll be able to build up a database and send out regular promotional emails. Online mailing systems such as Mailchimp are free to businesses with 2,000 or fewer contacts.
  4. Launch and maintain your website to keep it looking fresh - Use your social media channels to direct existing and potential customers to your new site. Install Google Analytics to help you track your visitor traffic patterns over time.

Let Ketchup take the lead

At Ketchup, we can take your vision and turn it into a reality with your business objectives in mind. Whether you simply want to create an online presence, develop an ecommerce platform, or create a community, we can build a site that works for you.

Our team comprises web developers, copywriters, SEO experts, graphic designers and more. With our combined skill and creativity, there’s no project we can’t make shine. We can even protect the finished site with our bespoke cybersecurity package, KetchupProtect.

That’s a lot to take in all at once. Talk to us and we’ll listen and put you in control.