How to build a website as a local business owner

Websites are an essential tool to standing out online. When done right, they're professional, alluring and can be great tools in attracting and retaining customers. Despite this value, building one is something that's easier said than done for many businesses.

In this article, we'll give you some tips on how to build a website that's perfect for your needs.

Pick Your Domain Name

Your domain name is the first step in setting up your website. It's important to choose a name that reflects what your site is about and is easy for customers to remember.

Best practices to keep in mind include the following:

• Make it easy to use. Avoid using slang, complicated or made up words in your domain name as it can make using it more difficult. Similarly, try making your domain name as short as possible. The shorter your domain name is, the easier it will be for users to remember and put into their browsers.
• Use the right domain extension: While some people see domain extensions (the part of a website address that follows the name, like .com or .org) as an opportunity to get creative, it's counterproductive when trying to formulate a memorable and concise web address. In general, you're best off to favor extensions like .com or .org over less used abbreviations like .net or .co.

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Find Your Hosting Provider

The website provider you choose to use will be a major factor in how you build and operate it. A website provider is a company that assists individuals in reserving and allocating domain names and server spaces to use for their website.

Popular examples include:

• Bluehost
• HostGator
• GreenGeeks
• Domain.com

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Choose Your Website Builder

There are a few different ways to build a website, but the easiest is through a website building platform. There are a lot of prominent options out there to choose from, such as the following which we've outlined in this comparison.

• Wix. Widely regarded as the best all-round website builder, Wix allows users to construct and design their websites with ease. Its setup process and user interface are one of its most notable strengths, as it requires little to no background knowledge in coding or website design to use.
• Squarespace. Squarespace is a great option for local businesses who appreciate an accessible website builder however are also looking for options to scale. It's got an array of  templates to give users a starting point for their design, as well as a wide range of eCommerce features.
• Weebly. Weebly is another strong all-round website builder that's simple to use while still packing in the features. Like Wix, it's perfect for those with little-to-no background in web design or coding, with an easy drag-and-drop builder and wide range of templates to choose from.

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Select The Right Theme Or Template That Suits Your Business

The great thing about website builders is that almost all of them offer templates and features that can allow you to get creative with its design and formatting. In this regard, when setting up your website you'll likely have to set up a template and design for it. When doing so, be sure to consider your business needs and character.

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Personalise The Website And Add Your Content

As the face of your business, you'll want to make sure that your website's design is both engaging and accurately reflects your brand.

Some key ways to do this include:

• Using high quality imagery and graphics
• Choosing easy to read fonts
• Matching the preferences of your target audience
• Being consistent in your website design
• Building an easy to understand and navigate page structure

Add A Web Chat

Many website building platforms have plugins available that can allow you to offer a web chat feature on your site. These tools are extremely effective and worth considering, as they can support faster response times and improve overall customer service.

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Optimise Your Website For Search Engines

So, you've built an awesome website. Now comes the challenge of getting it out there. Search Engine Optimisation is an essential practice in today's day and age for those wanting to get their websites discovered online.

Simple ways you can address your website's SEO include:

• Using a responsive design that works on a variety of devices
• Integrating keywords into your website content
• Using internal and external links in your website content
• Ensuring your website has as fast a load time as possible

Publish Your Website

Once you've got all of the previous points lined up, it's time to publish your website!

Some last minute considerations to make are:

• Revising your content to make sure it's accurate
• Previewing your website to ensure it's easy to view and navigate on different devices (desktop, mobile…)
• Remove any inconsistencies or filler content from your original website template

Congratulations! You've built an awesome business website and set yourself up for online success in doing so. For best results, be sure to update it regularly and consistently look for new ways to improve it.