Local business websites

Why does your business need a website?

A website is a vital tool for any small local business looking to thrive in today’s competitive market. Having an online presence ensures your business is discoverable to potential customers who search for your services or products online. In an age where most consumers rely on the internet for information, a well-designed website can greatly enhance your visibility, making it easier for new customers to find you.

If existing customers need to find your contact details, a properly optimised website can make it easy to find you quickly online. Very few people use the Yellow Pages anymore.

A website serves as a digital storefront, helping attract new customers beyond traditional word-of-mouth or local advertising. It opens up opportunities for search engines like Google to display your business to people actively searching for the products or services you offer. Moreover, by integrating SEO strategies, your website can rank higher in search results, further improving your chances of reaching a broader audience.

Effective communication with customers is another key benefit. Your website can provide essential information such as business hours, location, services offered, and frequently asked questions. It also allows you to share updates, promotions, and news, keeping your customers informed and engaged.

Additionally, a website is the perfect place to showcase your company. Through professional images, testimonials, portfolios, and case studies, you can highlight the quality of your work and build credibility with potential customers. Whether you’re a service provider, a retailer, or a local artisan, your website serves as a lasting first impression and a powerful marketing tool that enhances customer trust and loyalty.

In short, a website acts as a dynamic asset that helps small local businesses grow by improving their online presence, attracting new customers, and facilitating better communication.

Building an online presence

When building an online presence for your small business, one of the first steps is choosing and registering a domain name. Your domain name is your business's digital address, so it's essential to make a wise choice. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Choosing a Domain Name

Keep it Simple and Memorable: Choose a domain name that’s easy to spell and remember. Shorter names are often better, as they are easier to type and recall. Avoid complex spellings, numbers, or hyphens that could confuse customers.

Reflect Your Brand: Your domain name should clearly represent your business. Ideally, it matches your business name or is closely related. This builds trust and ensures consistency in your branding. For example, if your company is called “Surrey Window Cleaners,” a domain like surreywindowcleaners.com works well.

Consider Keywords: Including a relevant keyword in your domain name can help with search engine visibility. For example, if you’re a local florist, a domain name like bournemouthflowers.com can improve your chances of ranking higher in local search results.

Choose the Right Extension: Extensions like .com, .co.uk, or .net are the most common and trusted, but you may want to consider industry-specific ones like .cleaning or .shop. Local extensions such as .co.uk can help signal that you serve a specific area.

2. Registering Your Domain

Once you’ve chosen a domain name, the next step is to check its availability. Many domain registration services, like GoDaddy or Namecheap, allow you to search for available names and purchase them. When registering, consider these tips:

Act Quickly: Good domain names are often snapped up quickly, so it’s best to act fast once you find one you like.

Privacy Protection: Most registrars offer domain privacy options, which keep your personal details, such as name and address, hidden from the public WHOIS database.

In summary, when building an online presence, your domain name should be simple, brand-aligned, and easy for customers to find. A well-chosen domain sets the foundation for a professional and successful website.

Creating your website

The final step in building a website for your small business is creating the site itself. This is where you bring your online presence to life. Your website is the first thing customers will see when they search for your business, so making a strong impression is crucial. Here’s how to approach it:

1. First Impressions Matter

When a customer lands on your website, they should immediately understand who you are and what you offer. The homepage should feature your logo, business name, and a clear, concise message that reflects your company’s value. An organized layout, professional images, and easy-to-read text will all contribute to making a positive first impression.

Your goal should be to grab the visitor's attention within the first few seconds, guiding them to take action, whether that’s learning more about your services, contacting you, or making a purchase.

2. Define Your Website’s Goal

Every website should have a clear goal. Are you aiming to attract new clients, showcase your work, or sell products? Your content should be designed to lead visitors toward that goal. For instance, if you offer a service like cleaning or decorating, your site should highlight your services, include testimonials, and make it easy for potential customers to request a quote or get in touch.

3. Essential Content to Deliver

About Us: Share your business story, core values, and what sets you apart from competitors. This helps build trust with your audience.
Services or Products: Clearly list what you offer, providing detailed descriptions and, if applicable, prices. Visual content like images or videos can also help explain what you do.
Contact Information: Make it easy for customers to reach you by displaying your phone number, email, and address on every page, preferably in the footer or header. A contact form is also useful.
Testimonials or Case Studies: Featuring customer reviews or examples of past work can boost credibility and show that you deliver results.

4. Design to Fit Your Business

Your website design should match your brand’s personality and industry. For example, if you're running a cleaning company, a clean, minimalist design with plenty of white space and clear fonts can reflect professionalism and efficiency. On the other hand, a decorator’s website might feature more color, texture, and design elements that reflect creativity.

Regardless of your industry, your website should be mobile-friendly, easy to navigate, and fast to load. Customers expect a smooth experience, and a well-designed site will keep them engaged and more likely to contact or hire you.

In the UK 72% of people use mobile phones and tablets to access the internet, rather than a PC or laptop, according to Statista. This means it's crucial to optimise your website for these devices. Few things will deter website visitors quicker than a website that is hard to view or difficult to navigate on a mobile phone or tablet.

Mobile phones are commonly used to search for a local business, such as a tradesman or a nearby restaurant or store. When using Google, the most popular search engine by a long mile, their listings mostly deliver local search results on mobile devices. In short, your website MUST be mobile friendly.

In conclusion, your website should deliver relevant content that aligns with your business goals, while its design should reflect your brand and make a great impression on visitors. By focusing on these elements, your website will not only attract new customers but also help you achieve long-term business success.

One more thing...

A professional email address is a vital part of your business's online presence. Using a custom email that matches your domain, like info@yourbusinessname.com, reinforces your brand and adds credibility when communicating with customers. It shows that you're serious about your business and can help build trust with clients.

Additionally, modern email services ensure that your emails can be accessed from any device, whether you're using a smartphone, tablet, or computer. This means you can stay connected and respond to enquiries quickly, no matter where you are. Having a professional, easily accessible email address ensures seamless communication with clients and supports the professional image your website creates.

Choose a good web hosting company to host your website and they will also be able to provide you with a mailbox for your email address.

For more details about web hosting read Small business webhosting