Business Website
Have you been looking to start an online business? If so, you will likely need a website. Whether it is an online store, a blog, or an affiliate site, you should not expect to make a lot of money without a website.
Sure, you could argue that there are ways to profit online without relying on a developed website. For example, there are plenty of people working on social media profiles.
Nevertheless, having a site is still the right approach for a sustainable online business, particularly given how much of a benefit search engine optimization is.
If you do not wish to hire a website developer and create the site from scratch yourself, you will need to know what a website should have and how to approach developing one. Make use of the available information in this article.
Table of Contents
A Domain Name
Starting with a domain name is a good approach. You want something catchy and short. Your domain name can be a phrase, but it will be harder for potential website visitors to remember a long name if you go for one that is too long. Moreover, short domains tend to be more catchy.
If you decide to expand from one website and build a network, make sure to find a service to manage your domains in one place as it will be easier.
The Right Platform
If you asked for a website platform suggestion, most people would probably tell you to go with WordPress. Given how popular it is, you should not have issues finding enough tutorials and other sources to create a site from scratch.
A user-friendly platform is a right choice for those with little experience. Going for something more complicated will leave you guessing what to do and, most likely, forcing you to switch back to WordPress eventually.
Sure, once you have experience or plan to hire someone to do the work for you, a platform other than WP may be a better option depending on your needs. Nevertheless, if you want something not too complicated, start with WordPress
A Favicon
You know that little icon at the top-left of the browser tab when you have a website open? Well, it is called a favicon, and you will need to include one on your page as well.
As a rule of thumb, you should use the same picture as your brand logo (if you have one). Doing so makes your website more recognizable.
Uploading a favicon should be pretty straightforward, no matter what platform your website is built on.
Leaving a blank space is also not an option. If you cannot create a simple logo yourself, hire a freelancer who can provide you with the services.
Social Media Buttons
Your site will need promotion, and social media platforms are one of the best channels to attract new visitors.
Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are the-go to platforms, and you should include your site address on your social media profiles.
At the same time, adding social media buttons directly on the website is also beneficial. People can share content directly on their social media feed or visit social media sites from your website and check your content there.
Mobile Optimization
According to Statista, at least half of the internet traffic comes from mobile devices. Smartphone and tablet are just as popular as personal computer and laptops. Therefore, you need to make sure that your site is mobile-friendly.
If you neglect this part, you stand to lose out on many potential visitors. Each website visitor is valuable, and letting them leave the site will cost you, particularly in the long run.
Simple Navigation
Do not complicate your pages by cluttering them with unnecessary elements. For example, if you monetize the website using an ad network, do not put too many ads. Not only will they slow down the loading speed, but site visitors will have a harder time viewing the content.
A clearly visible search tab should also be on the list of your priorities. If someone visits the website and wants to find a particular article, give them such an option.
Google Analytics
Be sure to include Google Analytics to track data about website traffic, bounce rate, and other important metrics. You will need to make the adjustments and optimize pages down the line, and doing that without real data is more or less impossible.
Quality Content
Content quality is another crucial aspect of a successful website. If you publish articles on a blog, make sure that you spend enough time researching the content.
If you have an online store, focus on product picture quality and descriptions. Even if it takes more time, you need to polish the content and produce the best you can. Also, while on the topic of content, do not forget contact and FAQ pages as those are also necessary.