Are you a small business owner looking to build a website but don’t know where to start?
You’ve come to the right place. This guide will provide step-by-step instructions on how to create an effective and engaging website that meets all your small business needs.
In today’s digital age, having a website for your small business is crucial to attracting customers and competing with other businesses. A website provides a platform for customers to learn more about your business, your products or services, and the values that you stand for.
This article will provide you with tips on how to create a website for your small business in Australia.
How many small businesses are in Australia?
Small businesses are the backbone of the Australian economy. According the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, there are over 2.3 million small businesses in Australia, which accounts for over 98% of all businesses in the country.
As mentioned earlier, small businesses make up a significant portion of the Australian economy. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there were 2.4 million actively trading businesses in Australia as of June 2020, of which 98% were small businesses with less than 20 employees. These small businesses are spread across a range of industries, including hospitality, retail, construction, and professional services.
Why small businesses need a website?
Having a website is essential for small businesses in today’s digital age. A website provides a platform for customers to learn more about your business, your products or services, and the values that you stand for. In addition, a website can help you to establish a strong online presence, increase brand awareness and credibility, and generate more leads and sales.
A website can also provide customers with important information about your business, such as your opening hours, contact details, and location. This can help customers to make informed decisions about whether to do business with you.
Additionally, a website can help you to compete with other businesses in your industry by showcasing your unique selling points and creating a memorable brand image.
Make a website for your small business in 5 easy steps
Choose a platform
The first step to creating a website for your small business is to choose the right platform. There are several website-building platforms out there and each has its pros and cons.
Some of the most popular options include WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, Weebly, GoDaddy, Shopify, Magento, Bigcommerce and more. Consider what features you need to make your website work best for you before making a choice.
WordPress is a reliable platform that many businesses use because it is user-friendly, highly customizable, and cost-effective. Plus, there are thousands of plugins and themes to choose from so you can easily tailor your website to fit your brand. If you’re comfortable working with code or programming then WordPress might be the right choice for you.
However, if you don’t have coding experience but still want an impressive website, platforms like Wix and Squarespace can offer great drag-and-drop options with dozens of templates that require no programming experience.
Research each platform carefully so that your business ends up with the perfect website for its needs.
Select website and hosting providers
You will need to choose a website and hosting provider for your small business website. A good hosting company will be able to provide you with technical support, website security updates, and backup services, so make sure to research different hosting options thoroughly before selecting one.
Additionally, consider the storage capacity needed for your site as well as any specific features you might need, such as SSL certificates or e-commerce capabilities.
Once you have selected a hosting provider, you will need to sign up for an account with them and purchase any necessary services. You may also want to invest in a content management system (CMS), such as WordPress, which will make creating and managing your website easier.
Get a domain name and register it
Once you’ve chosen a hosting provider and the platform you’ll use to design your website, it’s time to choose and register a domain name.
Your domain name is the address that customers will type in to find your website on the internet, so it should be relevant to your business and easy to remember. Many hosting providers offer domain services, allowing you to purchase and manage multiple domains from one place.
Keep in mind that registering a domain name for your business is extremely important; the domain name should be easy for customers to remember and related to your business’s brand or purpose.
Before you register your domain, it’s important to have a clear idea of which domain extensions (like .com, .net, and .org) you want to include as part of your domain name.
Some hosting providers will offer discounted rates for purchasing multiple domains at once – consider registering both “yourbusinessname.com” and “yourbusinessname.com.au” to ensure that customers always reach the right place.
Be sure to keep track of the contact and administrative info associated with the domain so that you won’t lose access if anything changes down the line.
Build your website’s pages and content creation framework
Now that you’ve chosen the platform and registered your domain name, the next step is to build the pages and content framework for your website.
Depending on what type of website you want to create, this could include a home page, product page, contact page, blog page, and other variations.
Additionally, you may want to add an ‘about us’ or ‘privacy policy’ page as well. Make sure to research the background story of your business and gather up all relevant images or videos that can be included in your website content.
The web pages should also provide essentials such as the name of your business, contact information, and a description of what services or products the business offers.
To make your site look professional, you should also use high-quality images and incorporate branding elements into the design such as customised logos and fonts that fit with the company’s identity.
Furthermore, including functional features such as live chat, e-commerce shopping carts, payment buttons and calendars can help your customers interact more with your website.
Install plugins and apps to give your site more functionality
Once your website design is complete, you can make it even more useful to visitors by installing plugins and apps. There are tons of plugins available to do just about anything—adding a contact form, setting up an e-commerce shop, automating backups, etc.
You can browse through the WordPress plugin database or look for integration options from other services like Google Apps or MailChimp. Installing plugins and apps can give your website extra features that help you reach more customers.
To make sure your plugins are compatible with your theme, you can look for specific plugin recommendations within the theme’s documentation or ask in the theme’s support forums. Some plugins require a bit of coding knowledge to get set up properly—and if you don’t have that, you can hire a web developer to help.
Once you install the plugin and update your settings, you can use its fully integrated feature into your website. Plugins also give your visitors access to more information about your business and services so they can make informed decisions. You may even find some free plugins that provide an amazing amount of extra value at no cost.
Web design tips for small business
When designing a website for your small business, it’s essential to keep in mind the following tips:
- Keep it simple and easy to navigate
- Use high-quality images and videos
- Choose a colour scheme that reflects your brand
- Make sure your website is mobile-friendly
- Include a clear call-to-action
- Make it easy for customers to contact you
Cost of building a website for a small business
The cost of building a website for your small business can vary depending on your needs and the complexity of your website. A standard website can cost anywhere from $800 to $5,000, while a more advanced website with e-commerce capabilities can cost upwards of $10,000.
Small business website grants
There are several grants available for small businesses in Australia that can help cover the cost of building a website. These grants can be particularly helpful for small businesses that are just starting or have limited resources.
One such grant is the Digital Solutions program, which provides up to $10,000 in funding to eligible small businesses for the development of a digital presence.
This can include the creation of a website, as well as other digital marketing activities such as social media advertising and search engine optimization. The program is administered by the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources and is open to businesses with an ABN and less than 20 employees.
Another grant that small businesses may be eligible for is the Small Business Digital Adaption Program, which provides up to $1,200 in funding to help small businesses build their online presence. This program is administered by the Victorian Government and is open to small businesses with an ABN that have been operating for at least 12 months.
In addition to government grants, small businesses may also be eligible for funding from non-profit organisations and other sources. It’s important to research all available options and to consult with a professional web design agency like DesignQ to ensure that you are taking full advantage of available resources.
Small business website examples
Here are some examples of small business websites in Australia that are well-designed and effective:
- Una Solar: https://unasolar.au/
- Misk Beauty: https://www.miskbeauty.com.au
- P&J Concrete: https://pjconcrete.au/
- Ausmetro Homes: https://www.ausmetro.com.au/
- DC Connect: https://dcconnect.com.au/
Web design agency Australia – DesignQ
If you’re a small business owner in Australia and you’re looking to build a website, it’s important to work with a professional web design agency that understands your needs and can deliver a high-quality website that meets your goals.
At DesignQ, we specialise in providing professional web design services to small businesses across Australia. Our team of experienced designers and developers can work with you to create a website that showcases your brand, engages your target audience, and drives results for your business.
Whether you’re looking for a simple brochure website or a complex e-commerce platform, we can help. Our services include web design, e-commerce website design, small business website design, and more.
To learn more about how DesignQ can help you build a website that drives results for your business, contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to hire a professional web designer to create a website for my small business?
While it’s possible to create a website on your own using website builders, hiring a professional web designer can help ensure that your website is well-designed and effective. A professional web designer can help you create a website that reflects your brand and meets your business needs.
How long does it take to build a website for a small business?
The time it takes to build a website for a small business can vary depending on the complexity of the website and the availability of the content. A basic website can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to build, while a more advanced website can take several months.
How much does it cost to maintain a website for a small business?
The cost of maintaining a website for a small business can vary depending on the hosting provider, the size of the website, and the frequency of updates. It’s important to budget for ongoing website maintenance to ensure that your website stays up-to-date and functional.
Can I get a grant to cover the cost of building a website for my small business?
Yes, there are grants available for small businesses in Australia that can help cover the cost of building a website. The Digital Solutions program, for example, provides up to $10,000 in funding to eligible small businesses for the development of a digital presence.
How important is it to have a mobile-friendly website for my small business?
Having a mobile-friendly website is essential for small businesses in today’s digital age. With more people accessing the internet on their mobile devices, a mobile-friendly website can help ensure that your business reaches a wider audience and stays competitive in the market.
Conclusion
In today’s digital age, having a website is essential for small businesses in Australia to establish a strong online presence, reach a wider audience, and increase brand credibility.
By following the web design tips outlined in this article, you can create a website that effectively showcases your products or services and provides important information to customers. While the cost of building a website for a small business can vary, there are grants available to help cover the cost.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to a web design agency like DesignQ for professional help in creating a website that meets your business needs. By investing in a website, you can help your small business succeed and thrive in today’s competitive market.
