Planning A New Website - Part One
Okay, so you’ve got your new business idea up and running, you have an active social media presence and getting bookings through referrals and networking, and now you’re looking to establish a more professional online presence.
You need a website, but where to start?
1. Purchase Your Domain Name
Before you do anything, your first step should be purchasing your domain name to match your business name. Consistency is key and ideally you will have the same name across your social media channels as well as your website domain name.
I recommend purchasing your domain(s) through a large third party provider such as GoDaddy. This means that you get to keep your domain name even if you choose to move to a different website platform - it’s just a matter of linking to your new site.
2. Consider a Business Email Address
Having a business email like hello@yourbusiness.com creates a professional impression with potential clients. There are different providers, and many choose Google (or GMail) so that it links into a Google Account. This in turn can link to Google Analytics and Google Console, which can be linked to your website to assist with tracking your website analytics and SEO.
3. Get Social Media Ready!
From basic links to Facebook and LinkedIn, to displaying Instagram feeds, Squarespace allows you to display your social media accounts to help keep your online eco-system alive. Blog posts can also be pushed to some of your social media accounts as soon as you publish them - saving you some time!. So, make sure you have those links and login details handy when looking to set up your website.
4. Mailing Lists
It may seem old school, but direct emails to interested customers are still effective (as long as the content is relevant and interesting!). If you are wanting to target visitors to your site, include a newsletter subscription option. Emails can be a great way to start communicating with your audience, and there are many different providers to cater for different needs. For example, MailChimp offers a free account for up to 2,000 subscribers.
5. Do You Need a Booking System?
Depending on your business, you may want potential customers to book an appointment with you. Rather than setting up a standard form, a third party booking system could fit your needs. Acuity Scheduling is a Squarespace integration that allows visitors to book (and pay) through your website, reducing your admin and ensuring bookings are taking place to fit in with your calendar.
6. Will You Be Selling Goods / Services Online?
This has certainly become more popular since COVID-19, with many businesses looking at how to provide options for their customers / clients online. From restaurant reservations and online ordering to selling online courses, there has been a massive jump to move business operations online.
However, not all businesses have the right model to offer e-commerce solutions, and may end up costing more than any online sales revenue generated. Think about how customers interact with you now, and whether that process can be simplified / streamlined online, e.g. contact form or integrated chat feature on your website.
Part Two will look at the content you should be gathering before deciding on a new website.