What is important for creating a website for business

Before picking up a manual for web design, understand what it takes to understand code

Today there are choices to have a website created. Used to be you would go to a designer and voila! Achtung Baby, we have a website!

Many people believe you shouldn’t use a template, but "should" and "could" become irrelevant in the face of one’s budget.  Designers complain about templates – customers release template-based sites that is not well optimized for search – but it is the business budget that makes the ultimate decision for small business owners.

If your budget does not permit hiring a web designer, you may want to consider what may be costing your business if you decide to create the website on your own.

1. Although building a website has become easier, you have to weigh your time against coding issues that can occur. How much is an hour of your time worth?  Free can become expensive if the coding issue is difficult to identify. Coding requires a patience and some effort to verify proper operation across browsers.
2. After a launch, a website must be optimized for exposure online, and coordinated with social media.  This means applying content changes for search engine optimization and using social media to make the website a working conduit.  Integrating the site into other systems, such as email services and e-commerce checkout, is also essential.
3. The needs for a website changes with added content and services.  Adding social media such as a Linked In page, a Facebook page, or a blog means clearing a section of page for its visibility while avoiding a cluttered page appearance.

I am not suggesting to always seek a designer. I am saying weigh your resources carefully to build your own website.  Your worst enemy is time.  An awful mistake is to delay improvements that drag into months and months.  A website is a part of the real experience for clients and customers as much as a handshake or presentation.  People are becoming more accustomed to reviewing digital properties and expect WYSIWYG.

Because of the points outlined, a website can become outdated over a few years.  One way to update on the light is to include recent photos of products and services. Images should display how your customers will benefit from your product or service. A few insertions can help, with some A/B test to verify the changes that gave the greatest lift.

 If you do decide to create your site, follow these tips on my Pitney Bowes Smart Essential post 1o ways to improve a website on a budget to make the most of the launch.

Consider your website as an investment, not as a cost  – you’ll find that ultimately you will build the site the right way that will attract leads and make "working in your business" into "working on your business".