It’s never been easier to start a business. In the last ten years, there has been a staggering 74% increase in the number of new businesses registered in the U.S.
Want to be part of the startup generation? Got a billion-dollar business idea? No business is complete in the twenty-first century without a business website.
Your website is your virtual shopfront. In the past, your shopfront was only seen by those passing by. Now, your business is visible to anyone in the world with an internet connection.
You may think setting up a successful start-up website is time-consuming and challenging. Don’t worry; it doesn’t have to be. We’re here to show you how it’s done.
How to Create a Business Website
First things first, you need a name for your business. This needs to be something compatible with our digital age. Something easy to spell that isn’t too long. You want people to easily find your small business website when they type the name into their web browser.
1. Create a Domain Name
Once you have the name, you need to register it as a domain name. This will be the address for your website. There are numerous sites you can use to register a domain name, including Bluehost and Google Domains.
It’s unlikely you will register for a free business website; the domain will cost you anything from $20-$1,000. If you pay for more than a year upfront, it will be cheaper.
2. Find a Web Hosting Provider
If the domain name is your address, then the web hosting is the actual property. A web hosting provider provides the space for all the files from your website.
Typically, you rent space on a server from a hosting provider. When someone types the address of your website into their browser, the server sends the files from your site to their computer. That’s how they view your site’s content. Often the company you buy the domain name from will also provide hosting services.
3. Design Your Website
You don’t need to learn to code to build your site. There are so many tools available to help you with small business website design.
Use a small business website builder like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace to create a polished, professional website.
A business website builder will help you design the site with a clear structure and site architecture. You want your website to be easy to use for your customers.
4. Promote Your Website
You can’t just make a business website and hope for the best. What’s the point of building it if nobody can find it?
To promote your site, SEO is the most important. It’s best if you rank in search engines for people to find you. SEO is complex, and it can take weeks, even months, to see results.
If you aren’t sure where to begin with SEO, you can use professional SEO services to get started.
Get Your Site Up and Running
Starting a website sounds complicated, but you can create a business website in just a few hours with all the helpful tools available.
You can share your business with the world and start making those first sales.
Need more startup tips and advice? Why not check out some of our other handy articles?
