Web design and management for small businesses can be challenging if not approached with the right knowledge and resources. When built and managed correctly, a website can result in a windfall of new business and publicity for a relatively small investment. But when managed poorly a website can actually suck the life out of your business completely, as countless now-bankrupt small companies can confirm. Therefore, it's best to understand exactly what web design and management for small businesses requires before attempting to take it on all on your own.
The following are the 4 most critical elements to consider as a small business owner hoping to derive a significant amount of business from a website:
1.) Up Time and Functionality
Ensuring that your website remains in good working order at all times isn't a "set it and forget it" type of process. In fact, if you're managing your own website, you're responsible for your own domain, DNS, server, robots and many other settings. If something goes wrong with your site, you'll either need to have the skills to troubleshoot and fix any issues that come up, have an employee who can serve this purpose, or be able to quickly outsource these tasks.
The important thing to keep in mind in regard to up time and site functionality is that if things go awry one of two things are going to happen; either you're going to receive angry phone calls from customers attempting to use your site, or your visitors will simply navigate away to your competitors. This means you must be able to monitor for and act quickly upon any potential problems.
2.) Additions, Changes and Updates
Static websites generally die. In order to keep your site fresh and maintain a high level of consumer interaction, timely additions, updates and changes to your site must be a regular part of your web design and management strategy. Updates can be as simple as changing pricing, hours or special deals, or it can be as complex as developing and publishing videos on your site.
Whatever you do to your website, DON'T ignore it. A website that is ignored or left on "autopilot" is almost certainly doomed to failure.
3.) Security
Maintaining the security of your website isn't just good for business, it can make the difference between a productive and profitable year and one that is plagued with down time, data loss and even identity theft. This is an especially important responsibility considering that client data and personal information can be jeopardized as well.
Unfortunately, maintaining site security isn't as easy as creating a backup every once in a while. It requires vigilance, monitoring, consistency, technology and prompt action in order to manage effectively.
4.) "If you build it, they will come."
While this statement might have worked for the protagonist in "The Field of Dreams," it's not going to work for your website. This means that you can't just create and publish a website and expect that it's going to automatically start generating traffic and sales. There's a LOT more to it than that...enter the world of search marketing, which encompasses such complex strategies as Pay Per Click marketing and organic search engine optimization.
Feel like you're in over your head? Most small business owners do when they learn exactly what it takes to run a successful website. Fortunately, a professional web design and internet marketing firm can manage all of these tasks and more for you - and for far less than you could hope to spend in time, resources and money if you were to manage your site on your own. Call the number at the top of your screen now to find out for yourself.