Small Business Owners Guide to Web Sites

Running a business is hard work. The hours can be long and unrewarding, and often the work never seems to stop. Small business owners have it very hard, as they may be understaffed, trying to do everything themselves. More than any other group, small biz owners need helpful tips on how to launch, publish, and manage their websites. This article delivers useful advice for small business owners.

These tips are in no particular order, they’re all very important.

Be very specific about what you expect from your web developer
When launching or re-launching a website, demand a “scope of work” which details exactly what the web developer/designer will be doing for you. This ensures you don’t get hammered with fees you weren’t expecting, and that you get exactly what was promised. For example, make sure to ask what the monthly hosting fee and annual registration fee is for your domain. Also, will you be expected to supply all the content for the website, and if so, will the developer be entering it into the site for you?
Plan ahead
You may think all you need is a “brochure website” with a few simple pages showing your services, contact info, and about us page. But before you agree to a simple website like that, plan ahead. Will you want to sell services or products online in the future? Do you want to blog in your area of expertise, attracting readers who can subscribe to an email newsletter? If so, the website needs to be developed accordingly.
Tell people about your website
Just like your phone number, 800 number, email address, etc., your website address is a key part of your company contact information. It can allow prospective customers/clients to passively explore you and your company. The professionalism of the site can soldifiy your image in the minds of your customers and secure clients for you. The website also offers you a platform for your expertise. Blog or send email newsletters in your business “sweet spot” area of expertise. Show off your knowledge and skill and add business.
Hire a webmaster
Webmaster is a real job, not just some geeky codename. Once your website is launched, how will it be updated, edited, managed, and marketed? Can you do that yourself? If your a small biz owner, probably not. Ask about a CMS (Content Management System) and identify one of your employees who can handle the task of managing your website. Even if it only requires a few hours a month, it can be critical in growing your online business. If you don’t have the resources within your own small business to be a webmaster, negotiate a contract with your web development company or web hosting company to provide these services.
Ask your business partners to team with you
Almost every business has key business partnerships which they rely on for success. A marketing company works closely with a printing company, a restaurant has a food distributor, and a realtor works with a mortgage company on a frequent basis. Approach your key partners and ask them to link to your website in return for a link to theirs. If they send out an email newsletter to their customers, ask to be included occasionally in return for the same. You may even share development costs on your website project. Some web development companies will give you multiple website discounts. You don’t know if you don’t ask.