Few things are certain in the world of startups. But, one thing you can be sure of is that you won’t get far if you don’t have an online presence behind you. It’s no longer enough to rely on drop-in custom and word of mouth. In some ways, a website will become your main money making machine. This may not be a focus you had in mind when you started out, but it’s the only sure way to make things work. The chances are that you haven’t studied a degree in computing, and have no real idea what it takes to make a website. But, it’s imperative that you create a space which is accessible and easy to use. We’re going to look at a few things you need to get right to make a real go of things.
THE RIGHT DOMAIN NAME
First, make sure you choose the right domain name, from sites like http://www.domain.com. In many ways, this will be a lot of customers first contact with your business. If you choose a convoluted name which has no relevance to what you do, you’re less likely to win custom. You want something short and snappy, which sums up who you are before people even click on it. In an ideal world, your domain name would be the name you’ve chosen for your business. In reality, though, this may not be an option. If another website already has that name, there’s no way you can get it without adding a string of numbers on the end. Don’t do it. Cut your losses, and aim for something tongue in cheek which still reflects your business.
OVERSEAS ACCESS
In many ways, the real benefit of an online presence is the increased reach it gives your business. You may not have had overseas customers in mind when you started, but they’re worth considering once you’re online. With the internet at your fingertips, the business world is your oyster. But, you aren’t going to attract customers from abroad if you don’t make your website accessible for them, too. First, make sure they can understand your site by using a company like http://www.thetranslationpeople.com/. Translating your content into a variety of languages is essential. Otherwise, customers from overseas will click off straight away. It’s also important to include overseas shipping rates in your online shop. If you don’t do this, those additional customers will be no use to you.
EASE OF USE
Finally, and arguably most important, you need to ensure ease of use for visitors. A complicated website will put people off straight away. No one wants to decipher complex codes and layouts before finding what they need. To avoid problems, make sure your website is as straightforward as you can get it. Separate information into clear subgroups, and provide easy to find buttons for each. If you’re struggling to get things right, don’t panic. You could always use companies, like the one found here, to take care of the complicated bits for you.