Do you want to know the one thing that every successful small business has in common?
It’s not bells and whistles, fancy marketing, or expensive advertising. It’s much more simple than that.
It’s having a professional website that actually converts visitors into customers.
While 73% of small businesses have a website these days, 9 times out of 10 their website is completely useless. They’re outdated, clunky, or just cobbled together by the owner trying to do everything themselves.
Your website is one of the most important marketing tools for your small business. Studies show that 94% of users will form an opinion about your website based on its design alone.
Fortunately, finding the right website design services for your small business will make the difference between being invisible online, and leap-frogging the competition. From web design Chichester to everywhere in between, having a better understanding of what to look for will get you well on your way to success.
What you’ll learn:
- Why Website Design Services Are Essential for Small Business Growth
- The Core Features Every Website Design Service Should Offer
- How to Choose the Right Website Design Partner
- Common Mistakes Small Businesses Make With Web Design
- Budget-Friendly Options That Actually Work
Why Website Design Services Are Essential for Small Business Growth
There are still 27% of small businesses that don’t have a website. That means they are invisible to millions of potential customers searching for their products online every day.
But just having a website these days doesn’t cut it.
As soon as you visit a website that looks like it was cobbled together using an online template from the 2000s, you know it’s time to hit the back button. Your potential customers are not any different.
Professional website design services fill this massive gap. When you find the right web design services for your business, your website will look amazing and work for you too.
Professional websites look different…
Professional websites load quickly, nudge visitors toward taking action, look amazing on mobile, and are designed with search engine optimization in mind.
The Core Features Every Website Design Service Should Offer
When looking for a website design company, you can’t just throw a dart at the board and hope for the best.
These are the features that you can expect:
Responsive Mobile Design
It’s not optional anymore. Mobile devices account for more than 60% of web traffic. Your website needs to be perfect on phones and tablets.
Search Engine Optimization Integration
An attractive website that cannot be found is worthless. Professional website design services will integrate SEO best practices.
User Experience Focus
Beautiful website design is important. But what’s more important is that the website is designed with the user in mind.
Content Management Systems
You need to edit and add new content without calling a developer every time. Professional services use platforms like WordPress.
Analytics and Performance Tracking
The best services make sure you have proper tracking so you can see exactly how visitors interact with your website.
How to Choose the Right Website Design Partner
This is where most small businesses make costly errors. They either go with the cheapest website design company, or they get snowed under by agencies charging extortionate fees.
Here are a few ways to find a happy medium:
Look for web design services that provide real examples of their work. Don’t go with services that just present nice mockups. If a company is serious, they will show you live websites they have designed.
Don’t underestimate communication. If a company can’t explain the design process during the sales process, you can bet they won’t be around as a client.
Ask questions…
- How do you approach mobile responsive design?
- What’s your process for SEO integration?
- Can you provide references from similar businesses?
Don’t focus solely on price. The cheapest company will nearly always cost you more in the long run.
Common Mistakes Small Businesses Make With Web Design
The biggest mistake is thinking they can design a professional website themselves. Sure, there are website builders that allow you to cobble something together that looks like a website. But for it to be an actual weapon for your small business? That takes real skill.
Another big mistake is going for design at the expense of functionality. Your website may win design awards but if it doesn’t convert visitors into customers, what’s the point?
Small businesses also make the mistake of not considering ongoing maintenance. Websites need regular updates, security checks, and optimization.
Successful business owners do the opposite.
They view their website as an investment not an expense.
Budget-Friendly Options That Actually Work
You don’t have to spend a fortune on website design. Most quality website design services for small businesses offer exactly the packages you need.
Small business website design packages generally include: responsive design, basic SEO set-up, a content management system, and some rounds of revision.
What to look for:
- Fixed-price packages not hourly billing
- Clear timelines and deliverables
- Training on how to use your website
- Ongoing support options
- Transparent pricing, no hidden fees
The global website design market is expected to be worth $61.23 billion by 2025. Focus on finding services that cater to small businesses.
Remember it’s not about finding the cheapest option, it’s about finding the best value.
Making the Smart Investment
Professional website design services for small businesses are no longer optional. They are a necessity for any business that wants to compete.
Your competitors are already investing in good websites. Your customers are demanding professional online experiences. And search engines love well-designed websites, giving them better rankings.
The question is not whether you can afford professional website design services. The question is can you afford to not have a website that converts?
Every day you put it off is another day your competition gets ahead, another day a potential customer chooses a business with a more professional website.
The tools and expertise are all out there. The only thing between your business and its next phase of growth may very well be that website.