Ultimate Guide to Small Business Websites
Running a small business in the UK and wondering how to get your digital presence buzzing? Well, take a seat for a minute and let’s have a natter about setting you up online. It’s not as daunting as it may seem - promise!
How to make your own website for a small business
Ah, DIY websites. A bit like brewing your own beer or attempting to cook a fancy cake for the first time. It can be fun, and with the right tools (and a lot of patience, user journey knowledge, SEO knowledge and creative flair), you might just pull it off.
For starters, you'll need a website builder - think of it as your digital toolbox. There are a few website builders out there and some are free. You'll also need a dollop of determination, a pinch of creativity, and your content ready to go. Of course, if the very thought has you reaching for a calming cup of tea, remember, we're here to take the weight off your shoulders!
How much does it cost to build a website for a small business?
Now, we’re diving into the "how long is a piece of string" question. Or years ago a fellow web design company in Salisbury answered the ‘how much is a website’ question with ‘the same as a car’ - They weren’t saying that it necessarily costs a lot, they were meaning that unless you specify what you want, it could cost anything from £40 to £40,000.
By the way, aprompt websites won’t cost you the same as a 2nd hand high-end sports car. We like to be on our client’s side and we appreciate that new businesses or small businesses won’t necessarily have a couple of thousand spare in their back pocket, so we’ve developed an ‘easy way to pay’ for all of our websites.
Template design websites or even our custom designed websites are really affordable and you pay monthly instead of all up front. This way the cost of your website is manageable and very kind to your monthly budget and is as low as £40/month! Yes really!
Anyway, sorry – I’m going off on a tangent. I’ll bring this article back to ‘Your Guide for Small Business Websites’.
How much are websites?
Building a website can range from the price of a cheeky takeaway for one (using free tools you can find yourself and your own time and your own artistic flare) to the cost of a small family car (for bespoke designs with all the bells and whistles). On average, if you're going the DIY route with a website builder, you might spend anywhere from £100 to £300 a year.
Opting for professionals like us? You're looking at an initial investment starting at approx 480 pounds. This still isn’t much in the grand scheme of things. But remember, a website is not just a cost; it's an investment in your business’s future. And if it’s done correctly (which ours will be of course) it will be an asset to your business. Plus, we promise no hidden fees - just bespoke service with a smile! (Cheesy I know, but true!)
Which type of website is best for small businesses?
This is like asking, "Which is the best cake?" They’re all most probably delicious of course. But it does depend on your business. A simple, clean brochure-style website using one of our template designs is a fantastic option for 80% of businesses, offering an online calling card that provides essential information and builds credibility.
Custom designed websites are the go-to for those who need something a bit more customised for their services, like a doggy day care company or a service where the clients spend a lot of money on your services, like Wealth Management and Estate Planning.
Remember, your website is your digital shop window. We’re here to help you dress it to impress, catering exactly to your business’s unique flavour.
Ready to chat?
I hope this article was helpful for you and has given you a bit more food for thought, as it were. So whether you’re new to the world of websites or you’re business is looking for a website revamp, we’re here to help you get the best website for a small business.
No project is too small, no question too trivial. So give our website designers in Wiltshire and we can work with you to get your digital presence as splendid and unique as your business.