Most customers will expect to be able to find your business on the internet. Whether you are selling your products online, or simply want to provide some information about your business and your contact details, having a website is almost essential.
It’s a good idea to think about what you hope to achieve with your website before you start creating one. Researching your competitor’s websites can help you get a clear idea of what may work best for you.
To create a website, you need to follow these steps…
1. Buy a domain name – less than $20 a year
Your domain name should reflect your products or services so that your customers can easily find your business through a search engine. Your customers may also expect your domain name to be similar to your business name.
SandGROPER websites recommend (and use) VentraIP. We can help you get this sorted out.
2. Buy web hosting – less than $240 a year
You will need to find a web hosting company to get your domain name on the internet. Monthly fees for web hosting vary depending on how large your website is and how many visits you get.
SandGROPER websites recommend (and use) VentraIP. We can help you get this sorted.
3. Prepare your content – Free (DIY)
This is the hardest part for you! This is where you need to sit down and think about what you want to show your customers on your website. This will help you work out what features and pages you want to include. Consider what information your customers will want and make sure the site is structured to make it easy for them to find and do the things they need.
Just as you might hire a professional to design your site, you might also want to consider hiring a professional to write and structure your content.
A website that is well designed and easy for customers to use will help your business stand out. Having relevant and appropriate content and images will help customers understand your products and services and will make them feel comfortable with buying from your business.
4. Build your website (that’s where we come in) – $700 to $7000
Unless you know exactly what you’re doing having someone (who knows what they’re doing) build a website for you is the best way to do it. SandGROPER websites can build your site quickly and provide guidance on having a successful website.
SandGROPER websites will design your website so it can be easily used on smartphones and other mobile devices. Optimising your website for mobile use means that the growing number of people using phones and tablets to access the internet can use your site while they are out and about.
SandGROPER websites will build your website so that it people can find it on Google.
5. Keeping your website maintained – $70 to $700 a year
As with all technology, websites grow old… quickly. Just like you need to change the oil and tyres periodically to help your car run properly, your website also needs maintaining. This maintenance does not include adding extra pages or features etc, it’s strictly for keeping your website’s software and systems running smoothly. SandGROPER websites will keep your website running smoothly 24/7.
If you choose not to keep your website maintained your website may stop working and cost you more to get it working again. It’s important to understand keeping your website in working order will always require an ongoing cost (Facebook spends many, many, many millions of dollars a year just to keep it’s website working ‘normally’).
6. Updating your website with extra pages and features – free to $??
As your business grows and changes you may need your website to change as well. Changing anything from a phone number, price of a product, adding images or a new page… or if you want a completely new design your website should be updated. Some of these updates you can do yourself, other things may need the help of a website designer.
How much?
The most common question SandGROPER websites get asked is “Can you give me a rough idea how much a website will cost me?“. In reality, no we can’t, as each website is very different with different requirements. However, for the sake of putting your mind at rest the above $700 to $7000 range can often be narrowed down to…
- $1000 to $2000 for a basic website
- $3000 to $4500 for a ‘normal’ website
- $5000+ for an advanced website
I’m willing to design your business a website and show you a full working version obligation free and before to pay a cent. If you don’t like it or don’t like the price I quote you after I’ve made it you don’t pay a cent.
Most website designers will ask for an upfront deposit (which is absolutely fine as there’s a lot of time and expense in making a website even if the client doesn’t go ahead with it). I don’t ask for any money upfront because I believe I make good websites at good prices and so I’m willing to back myself and take the risk of someone not liking the website or the price I quote.
Websites are worth the money
A good website will bring you in more work and better paying work, which will very quickly pay for the cost of the website. A professional looking website will make your business look professional.. and a professional business is a trustworthy business = more customers.