When starting a new business or expanding an existing business into the online space, building a website is one of the top priorities.
This may seem like a daunting task, but it’s easier than ever with available technology.
In this article, we’ll show you three ways to build your unique business website so you can launch it in no time.
How to Build a Business Website with a Page Builder
Let’s start with how you can create a business website using a page builder.
There are many advantages to using a page builder, including ease of use.
This means that if you’re new to web development, a page builder might be the best way to put together your business website.
The tools included in the page builders are easy to use and understand, and you can quickly create an online presence for your business on the web.
Using a page builder is also great for businesses just starting out, as these tools won’t eat up much of your budget.
Here’s your start-to-finish guide on using a page builder approach to launching a business website:
1. Choose a Website Builder
The first step is to choose the right website builder for your business.
For this article, we are going to focus on the page builder, Wix.
Wix is a fantastic resource for helping small businesses of all types create and publish websites.
They offer a wide range of templates to help you get started on your project, giving you a lot of creative freedom.
They also have 24/7 customer support available, so you can get answers whenever you find yourself stuck in the process.
In addition to great creation and customization, Wix also offers a free domain name and your monthly fee includes Web Hosting for your site.
Of course, there are other builders you can choose from, each with its own strengths and weaknesses for each aspect of the website-building process.
Be sure to take the time to research which builder is best suited for your particular business needs before committing.
2. Set up Hosting and Domain Name
Not all website builders include a domain name or hosting in their offer.
If you’ve chosen a builder that falls into this category, you’ll need to set up hosting and register a separate domain name for your business website.
- Web Hosting (Hosting) refers to the storage of your site’s data on a server, which can be a shared web server or a dedicated hosting server.
- Shared web hosting is, as the name suggests, a shared server where your business website will be stored along with multiple sites. This is a very cost-effective option as you will be sharing the cost of the server between other sites. However, while it may be the cheapest option, the downside is speed. Because you are sharing hosting space, there is an inherent risk that web traffic from other sites will slow your page down.
- A dedicated host, however, only stores your business website data. Since dedicated web hosting is all yours, you can expect a markedly higher rate for this service. Unlike shared web servers, however, you won’t have to sacrifice speed.
- Domain names identify your business on the web. If your website builder doesn’t offer a domain name, you can expect to pay a modest fee annually to continue using the name. You’ll also need to go through another domain registrar site, so be sure to compare your business name against the domains and choose the name that best suits your needs.
3. Choose a Template
Once you’ve chosen your page builder and your domain and hosting are in order, it’s time to start designing your business website.
This is where page builders shine.
Most have hundreds of templates to choose from to serve as the basis of your design.
Using a template is a great way to build the foundation of your business website, and you can find one that suits your style, industry, and niche quite easily.
4. Add Preferred Features
One of the best things about Wix is its built-in eCommerce features, including paid monthly site plans that come with eCommerce tools.
If the page builder you choose doesn’t include these features, you’ll need to add them yourself.
This means adding features like a shopping cart, payment processors, contact forms, etc., manually to your site.
5. Add Content
Now that you have your business website set up in the style you like, with the features you need, the last step before you go live is adding content.
Among all the possible content you can add, keep in mind that adding an “About Us” section to your website is one of the most important things you can create for your website.
Basically, this will give your customers an overview of who you and your team are and what you do, thereby establishing your business relevance.
A blog is also a good idea, as it offers a convenient way to constantly post new content and help you rank higher in search engine searches.
If you sell products or services, individual product pages are a must.
Be sure to include samples of your work in a Portfolio section of your website if you provide a specific service.
Your business website should serve as a trusted repository for your portfolio of past work or references for your products, with potential customers easily able to view your expertise or offerings.
6. Publish Your Site
Once you’ve secured the domain name you want and have the page looking the way you want it, finish your editing process within the page builder, then click Publish.
Your site will be online and ready for everyone to see.
How to Build a Business Website with WordPress
If you prefer a more hands-on approach to building your website, using WordPress is a great option.
This build path is for people who have at least some coding knowledge and like to have full control over the look and functionality of their website.
1. Select a Host and a Domain Name
Just like page builders, when building your site with WordPress, you’ll need a domain name to get started.
In addition, you will also need a web host to build your site.
A great resource for this service is Bluehost.
Bluehost is actually WordPress’ recommended and preferred web hosting.
At the same time, it is an affordable web hosting service, so beginners and experts alike can feel confident using it.
There are other hosting providers out there, and researching all the options is always a good practice before making a final decision.
2. Install WordPress
After securing your domain name and hosting plan, it’s time to get WordPress.
Head over to WordPress.org and get started installing WordPress.
Or, if your host offers a one-click installation, go for that.
From there, you’ll be presented with options for themes, plugins, and more.
Be sure to take the time to familiarize yourself with all they have to offer before you dive in.
3. Choose a Theme
Themes are much like the templates offered by page builders in that they set the tone and feel of your website.
Keep in mind that there are hundreds of WordPress theme options, and while some themes are free, they also offer paid options that come with additional features.
Depending on your budget and site goals, you can choose the right theme for your business and style.
4. Add Plugins
While your WordPress business website theme sets the tone for your page, WordPress plugins help add functionality, extend compatibility, and can even be used to add fun features.
Plugins are often added to increase a site’s range of features and make your site more efficient.
Depending on your requirements, plugins can help create a seamless eCommerce experience, and add a portfolio or gallery to your site, including live chat features, it all depends on what you need and want to add to your site.
There are thousands of plugins to choose from, so take your time and explore.
5. Write Personalized Content
Now that you have the tone of your business website set with a strong theme and have increased functionality and features with the right selection of plugins, it’s time to add content.
Great websites can clearly show what your business is about and what your brand personality is through your chosen content.
That being said, be sure to create a well-written about us/me page, contact details, and FAQ/help tab, in addition to your main product or service pages to ensure a great visitor experience.
If required for your industry, be sure to add a privacy and information disclaimer to your site as well.
6. Publish Your WordPress Website
After going through the administrative aspects and the creative process, review your site carefully and click publish.
Read your pages and be sure to test them not only with a desktop browser but also on a mobile device.
Also, double-check to make sure all tabs, links, and pages are working.
Be sure to perform regular maintenance, including site updates as well as theme and plugin updates to prevent security issues from arising in the future.
Keeping your business website up to date is crucial to continued success online.
How to Build a Business Website by Hiring a Developer
The third option is for business owners who already have their business set up and want to establish a better online presence, but don’t have the technical knowledge, experience, or even the time to attempt to create a site themselves.
If your budget allows it, you can choose to hire a professional web developer.
A professional web developer with the right training and education will help you bring your business website to life.
This is a great option for business owners who have the resources to outsource some of their design work so they can focus on growing their business and needs.
Below, each step of hiring the perfect developer to get your online presence off the ground will be explained.
1. Choose a Designer
The first step is to find the right talent to complete your project.
There are plenty of great networking sites and job boards that cater to the world of freelance web development.
Fiverr, Upwork, and similar sites will connect you as a customer with thousands of potential web developers.
You can also search for local web developers in your city or region for a more personal approach with someone familiar with your area.
Using social media as a recommendation-gathering tool is another great resource that can connect you with developers that your friends, family, or business contemporaries have used in the past.
Whichever path you choose, be sure to take the time to vet your candidates accordingly.
This is an extremely important decision.
You will need someone who has a combination of experience, knowledge, and affordability.
Be sure to try to work with someone who has previous business website development experience in the same industry as yours.
2. Read Your Contract Carefully
Once you’ve found a suitable web developer, it’s time to set up a contract.
Be sure to read your contract very carefully.
Everything about the project will be contained in the contract language, including costs.
Review every aspect of the project and compare it to what you have included in the contract.
If you ask to add something that is not listed, there is an expectation of additional cost, so it is key to be clear upfront and consistent in communication.
3. Have a Clear Vision Before You Start
Hiring a web developer to create your company’s website is not an operation that you back out of after handing in the contract.
It’s a collaboration between you and your chosen developer, and working together to get the finished product.
You need to be active throughout the entire process, providing feedback at regular intervals to make sure the developer stays true to the vision you have.
Remember, clear and consistent communication will lead to better results.
4. Provide Content
While a web developer will build your business website from scratch, they basically handle the technical backbone of your site as well as its design.
It is important to remember that the copy and content will be provided by you.
You can write the material yourself or hire a copywriter to do it for you.
The same job sites where you found your web developer will also have listings for copywriters.
5. Test and Publish
Once the design is complete and content is added, your business website is almost ready to make its online debut.
However, before you publish, test your new site several times.
Every page, every link, and every payment option must be tested and reviewed by you before posting.
As with the previous methods, you’ll need to test your business website on both desktop browsers and mobile devices.
Maintaining a user-friendly experience across all devices can boost SEO.
Once the trial is complete, you’ll have a polished final website ready to grow your business.
What to include on your site
Regardless of which path you take to build your business website, there are some must-have features across the board that need to be utilized to be successful.
Be sure to include the following key components to ensure success on your online journey:
Pages to Include
- About me/us
- Contact Us
- blog/portfolio
- Shop/Services Catalog
- Privacy Policy and Disclaimer
- Help / FAQ
Delete Message
Make sure you are clear on what exactly your site offers.
Being clear and concise will make navigating your business website easy and convenient for your visitors.
Calls to Action
Be sure to include call-to-action links or buttons.
Dedicated sales pages with lead generation forms, “Buy Now” buttons, and contact forms that allow your visitors to interact with you and your team are vital to growing and maintaining a prominent online presence in your industry.
Start Building Your Business Website
Now that we’ve explored these three paths to building your business website, the only thing left to do is start your journey.
A quick rundown of the best ways to get started with your business website:
- Create a business website with a page builder – The best option for beginners who want to design a website themselves without coding. Some easy-to-use yet powerful website builders include the likes of Wix, Squarespace, and Zyro.
- Build a Business Website with WordPress – The best choice for digitally savvy entrepreneurs who value customization over ease of use. All you need to get started is one of the .org Recommended WordPress Hosting Services like Bluehost or Siteground.
- Build a business website by hiring a developer – Hiring a freelancer is the way to go for a business looking for a fully customized solution to meet their specific requirements. Fortunately, finding the right talent has never been easier with marketplaces like Upwork, Fiverr, or Toptal allowing business owners to quickly search and find highly experienced web designers.
Using the information above, including the important aspects listed, choose the path that best suits your budget and needs.
This should give you the confidence to start building your site.
Thanks for Reading.