Written on 05.50 by jenny
Eventually every small-business owner realizes that they will need a website for their business, but figuring out where to start can be a challenge. Just understanding the technical lingo and all the options can be confusing, but with the right preparation you can have an impressive and easy to maintain website for your small business in no time.
Check the competition
The first place to start on your website project is to look at some competitor websites in your industry. You will want to know what your potential customers will comparing you to. You will also want to find out what the standard is for your industry in terms of the number of pages, the type of information and the general look and feel. If for example, your competitors have large sites and many interactive features then you will want your site be comparable, but if your competitors have small simple sites, then you know that you won't need lots of bells and whistles.
Prepare your information
Before you meet with your web designer, gather some examples of competitor websites that you like. List what it is that you like and dislike about those sites. If you have any pamphlets or brochures for your business, have those ready for your designer as well. Choose some colors or have an idea of some color schemes that you like and if you have won any professional awards or have any important professional affiliations, put that information together because you will probably want to feature that on your website.
Do you need a content management system?
One important decision that you need to make about your website is whether or not you are going to need a content management system. Content management systems are typically used on larger sites, to control text, video, pictures etc. A content management system allows you to easily change and update the information on your site. This is useful for a website on which, for example staff photos and bios are added often or a newsletter archive is maintained.
If you anticipate making many changes on your website, a content management system can save you time and money. With a content management system, the owner of the site can make the changes as needed, without having to wait for a web designer or webmaster to make the changes for them. This can be a very important feature because it allows you to keep your website current at all times so you're making the best possible presentation to your customer. It can save you money because you will not have to pay your web designer to make the updates for you.
Typically, a website that is more than 15 pages would be a good candidate for a content management system. The more information you have on your website the greater the chances are that you are going to need to keep that information updated. If your website is less than 15 pages, you probably will not need a content management system.
WordPress as a content management system for small business
WordPress is popular as a content management system for small businesses for several reasons. One it is that it is relatively easy to use. You do not need to be versed in HTML or any other programming language to handle WordPress. There are also many training videos and materials available on the Internet and also a number of plug-ins so that you can customize the software for your needs. WordPress is also useful for blogging which can help to keep your website information up to date. If you would like to show up higher in the search results, then WordPress is a good choice for that as well. Google has stated that WordPress is one of the easiest systems to crawl so it can help you come up higher in the search engine results.
When you begin planning for your small business web site, start by checking competitor websites in your industry. This will give you an idea of approximately how many pages you will need as well as what type of features you will want on your site. Your goal will be to have your website look as good as, or better than your competitor’s.
By planning ahead and knowing what your potential customers will be comparing you with, deciding how large you want your site to be, and what type of features you will need, you will be equipped to get the best possible website for your small business.
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internet
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Written on 05.49 by jenny
It is becoming more and more obvious to businesses that the best way to reach their target market
is through the internet. Gone are the days when a business owner can successfully trade without his or
her own website. Being "online" means businesses can reach more people in less time than any other
marketing mediums.
A lot of people assume that they need to spend thousands of dollars to get a website that will be good enough for their online home. However in this article we will show you how cheap web design can be both appropriate and effective to get you started.
One way to get your website designed at a low cost is to do it yourself, or get a friend or family member to design it for you. However despite the initial savings, this approach may well end up costing your business a lot more down the track! Doing it yourself means you waste precious time that could be spent working on your business, building relationships and doing actual work. Plus if you don't have a high degree of web design knowledge, you will end up with a website that looks amateurish and unprofessional.
Getting a friend or family member to design your site seems good on the surface. But again, they may be lacking skills and even if they are competent in the area, the fact they are doing it "cheap" means they will not be giving it as much commitment as someone who you are paying a proper rate to.
So how can you get cheap web design that is ideal for your business? The answer is to shop around and find the right web design firm. Big agencies are good to avoid because they have overhead costs such as rent, office supplies and ongoing wages. Finding a self-employed web designer who runs their own small business can be the best way to get a quality website designed at a low price. They usually work from home and have minimal overhead costs and usually are willing to reduce their fees in order to attract clients.
Some web site designers also offer professional templates that are already established. This allows them to develop the site faster and easier, thus passing the savings on to you. Make sure you look at the types of templates each web design firm offers, to ensure you will be happy with the final product.
Web design does not have to be expensive, but the way to save money is to shop smart. Finding a professional designer working for themselves or in a small firm, and using attractive professional templates can be an effective way to get your website online at the right price.
Posted in
internet
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Written on 21.20 by jenny
Unless you have been living in a technology free cave over the past few years then you must have heard of the new advances in VOIP phones. Internet phone service providers have made drastic improvements recently and the cost has been drastically reduced. I am sure you know of at least a few people that have tried out internet phones, but how can you know if this service is right for you? Is it really worthwhile to turn your back on the phone service you have been using for the past few years? To be totally honest, yes. You will be able to notice the savings almost instantly and you are sure to enjoy the purchases you can make with all that extra money. Stop throwing money away on a service that is outdated and get your hands on an internet phone today.
The savings are really quite simple to calculate. Start off by looking at the basic monthly plans that are offered through the use of a VOIP phone. On average a monthly VOIP phone plan will cost you around $20 to $25 a month. This is strictly based on residential pricing as obvious a business plan will set you back a bit more. However possibly the best part of these plans is all the free features that are thrown in. Normal home phone providers will charge you as much as $50 a month to add on things like call forwarding, voice mail and long distance charges. With an internet phone plan you will be offered all of these features within the charge for your normal monthly plan. Forget those wallet thinning long distance charges or unsightly taxes. An internet phone service provider can give you all of these benefits with one flat rate.
Calling friends and loved ones that live in international destinations has never been easier or more affordable. Are you tired of calling a loved one only to have to consistently check the clock or hang up after the call goes on for too long? With a VOIP phone you no longer have to worry about it. If you call a family member that is signed up with the same provider then your call will often be absolutely free. No more hassle or no other big surprises when your phone bill shows up in the mail. Another added benefit is the fact that you can pack your laptop with you wherever you go and still use your affordable internet phone. If you are constantly on the go or traveling overseas you can still use your monthly plan to get in touch with business partners or family without racking up your cell phone bill.
The opportunities to save with an internet phone are ultimately endless. There really is nothing more gut wrenching that getting an unexpected phone bill that is upwards of $100 when all you put aside for the month was $30. With a VOIP phone there are no hidden surprises. You sign up for a plan, use the internet phone service and pay only the amount that you initially agreed upon. What more could you ask for? You get reliability and affordability all at a more cost efficient price.
Posted in
Technology
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