Your website is your home on the World Wide Web. Simply put a website is data stored on a computer that anyone can access through the internet anytime.
Websites are located by a domain name. Also referred to as a URL (Uniform Resource Locator); your domain name is your street address on the web. For example www.yourbusinessname.com.
When setting up your website you will need hosting services and you will also want a business email address. Usually a more professional email address will include your web address such as yourname@yourbusinessname.com.
The importance of a professional website cannot be overstated. It will be where people go to purchase your products. Make sure it is easy for them to find what they are looking for with easy navigation.
It should also create a trusting company image. The internet has been referred to as the great equalizer. With a professionally built website your customers will not know the difference between a small home based business and a large corporation.
Your customers will want the ability to correspond with you through your site. Make sure you have your phone number, email address, contact forms, mailing address and every other method of contact on your site. If a customer does not see several ways to get a hold of you they may assume that you are not a trustworthy company to do business with.
You have three main options when it comes to having a professional website. Your first option is to build it yourself. Although this may be the most economical way to get started unless you know how to write internet code it may be difficult to build a professional site in a timely manner.
Another option is to pay for a custom built site. Professional web developers can charge several hundred dollars per hour for their services. This may well be out of reach for a new business just getting started with no revenue being generated.
One way to get the best of both worlds is by using an online website builder. There are several good ones available on the market today that will allow you to easily build a professional looking website. With the technology available and template driven software programs even a novice can construct a moneymaking web site with basic computer skills.
Converting visitors to buyers and keeping them coming back should be the goal of every website. Keep your information fresh with industry news and special offers. Consider the font, color, graphics and navigation when you put it together. Make sure it is easy for the customer to purchase from your site. If it is too difficult to figure out they are just one click away from leaving at any time. Give them a reason to make your site a favorite place on their computer and you will have earned a customer for life.