3 Website Questions Small Business Owners Have About Starting A Website
Posted: Wednesday, January 06, 2010
by Michael Borowiecki
Formulis, Inc.
It's okay! We all get sweaty palms when dealing with technology we're unfamiliar with. Small business owners are no exception! Most business owners become nervous and skittish at the idea of trying to start a website.
Follow along for answers to a handful of the most common website questions business owners have about how to start a website.
1. I don't want to sell anything online, do I really need to start a website for my business?
Yes! With the massive popularity of the web, you can't afford not to have a website any longer. People have become accustomed to finding everything and everyone on the internet. So not having a website can leave a gaping hole in marketing your business. Even if you don't want to sell online or market beyond the city you live in, you need to have a basic starting website.
2. How does a website fit into marketing my business?
First, you'll want to define your business goals for why you want to start a website. What do you want your website to accomplish? Do you want your starting website to: present your business to a wider local, regional or national audience? Refer people to call you for more information? Sell your products and services directly online?
Even a basic starting website can accomplish all of those things quite easily, and more. Talk with your web designer. Ask family, friends and business associates for help in identifying your overall business objectives and think about how starting a website will fit into your overall marketing.
3. I barely know how to use a computer, I don't understand website jargon and I don't want to spend time learning about the web-how can I start a website for my business?
Relax! Starting a website doesn't have to be painful. As with any technology product or service, becoming familiar with basic computer and internet terms will alleviate a lot of stress when starting a website. Having a basic understanding of the web will simplify the web design process and make it a breeze to start a website.
But don't worry! You don't have to become an expert on computers, the internet or website design-that's the job of your web designer! Take some time to familiarize yourself with basic website and internet terms. Ask lots of website questions when working with your web designer. And don't fret, most web designers are used to explaining the ins and outs of starting a website for those who are less web savvy.
The above are just a few website questions to get your mind on the right track. The more you understand your website's short and long-term marketing and business goals, the easier it is to start a website. Starting a website doesn't have to be brain surgery! It just takes a bit of learning; planning and research on the front end to ensure you and your business are successful on the web.
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Author Biography
Michael Borowiecki is a marketing adviser and the owner of a small business marketing and web design firm, Formulis, Inc. Since 2003 we've been providing clients in Las Vegas and nationally with custom small business web design. Find out more about our Las Vegas Web Site Design Services at our website.
Not sure you need a website for your small business? Check out Ten Benefits Of A Website on our Small Business Marketing Blog for 10 killer reasons why every small business must have a website.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Good advice Michael - WhiteGyr has been in the Web Design business for over ten years now and will second your advice. BTW 'Welcome to SearchWarp'Thank you WhiteGyr for the positive comment!
Yes! Small business owners, even those who have no intention of selling online, need to understand that folks now use the internet instead of the yellow pages to find out about a business (where it is, its phone number, what lines of products they carry, whether they make house calls, whether they deliver, days and hours they are open, and more.)Absolutely Susan! The Yellow Pages are going the way of the dinosaur as search engines (Google and Bing in particular) continue to integrate local search into their SERPs (search engine results pages).
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