Consumer behavior is changing with the times. Back in the day, when someone wanted to buy a gift for a loved one, they would go to a nearby boutique to get something beautiful. Nowadays, you can get your special someone a gift just by visiting the website of an online merchant. The Internet presents so many options and choices for consumers today. It only makes sense for businesses, no matter the size, to establish their online presence.
One of the biggest mistakes of businesses is not building a website. To promote your brand, showcase your products, offer your services, and provide customer service, an attractive and functional website is vital.
Building a Website for Business
If your aim is to grow your client base, you will want to attract customers to your business. You should, therefore, invest in an appealing and easy-to-use website. If you need a website for your business, you can hire a developer to do the work for you. Hiring a professional is a good option if you have a flexible budget since hiring someone to build a website can be costly. The great news is that there are available resources online that can help you put up a site.
Creating a website using an online website builder is easy and cost-effective. Especially if you work with the best website builders for eCommerce, the process will be simple. You will find a wide variety of online website builders, from free-to-use programs to more expensive software. But then, how do you know which one to use? Finding the right online website builder requires ample research. To help you make an informed decision, here is a list of the signs of a great online website builder:
1. Simple and Easy-to-Use Platform
A very important point of consideration in choosing a specific online website builder is whether or not it is complicated to use. Some people have advanced technical skills to understand complex website building procedures, but unfortunately, most people are not too adept in technology. It is crucial to assess your capabilities before you sign up and purchase an account. If you are not familiar with HTML, WYSIWYG editor, and CSS, your best option is to choose an online website builder with a user-friendly interface. A great online website builder has ready-to-use, customizable templates that will make it easier for customers to work on designing their websites.
2. Useful Features
When comparing online website builders, make sure to look at the features that each one has to offer, such as:
- Customizable design templates and themes
- Predefined page layouts
- Third-party application integration (e.g. e-commerce tools)
- Image galleries
- Social media and blogging functionality
- Web analytics reporting functionality
Some allow you to add interactive content, but sometimes, there are features only available to paid subscriptions. If you are using a non-paying account, some features may not be possible to use.
3. Availability of Hosting Services
You may have created a beautiful and functional website for your business, but if you cannot publish it online, it is useless. Choose an online website builder with built-in Web hosting (service providing storage space for your website) and domain name registration (the virtual address of your website) to make sure the site can go live once completed. Free website builder accounts may require you to pay a specific fee for domain registration and Web hosting. In this case, you should check out the benefits of a paid account, which will likely include some Web hosting for your website.
4. Reasonably-Priced Services
A common factor in signing up and purchasing an account from an online website builder is the cost. Price is a crucial point of consideration for business owners with limited budgets. The good news is that many online website builders offer competitive rates and packages. Even if you have a limited budget, you will be able to find a provider that offers reasonable prices for their services.
5. Efficient Customer Service
Another sign that an online website builder is a great option is when it has a dedicated customer support team. It can be very frustrating to be put on hold when you have concerns and complaints. A reliable service provider makes sure that their customers can get assistance whenever they need it.
6. Reliable Service
No matter how great-looking or highly-functional your site is, if you are experiencing a lot of downtimes, your site ends up being useless. It is common to experience some downtime, but a reliable website builder resolves the issue promptly.
7. Well-Reviewed
You will likely be checking the feedback of other users of a potential online website builder—and you should. All online website builders will claim that they are the best service provider. However, the only way you can verify such claims is by finding it out for yourself. Most online website builders offer a free trial period so you can get an idea of how their platform works and whether the features suit your needs and preferences before creating a real account.
Whether you are a freelancer, own a startup business, or an established company, you need a website to connect to your customers. Your business should have its site even if you are active in social media and available through messaging apps. Here are the reasons why companies should prioritize building their company website:
- Grow your portfolio of clients
- Your business is “open” round-the-clock
- Establish a global presence
- Promote your brand
- Increase interest and engagement towards your company
- Legitimize your brand
- Provide timely customer support
- Generate leads and increases online sales
- Boost your online presence
- Convert potential customers to loyal clients
As a business owner, you are making a grave mistake by not investing in a properly-built online site. A website is one of the essential tools to help your business grow and succeed.
Conclusion
Never underestimate the power of having a well-designed website. Your website allows customers to take a peek at what you have to offer them. A reliable Web developer can help you build a custom website. But, thankfully, for individuals and entrepreneurs on a limited budget, there are plenty of online website builders that allow you to create your website at a fraction of the cost.
Building a website should not be difficult or complicated as long as you are using a reliable online website builder. You will come across a great online website builder by taking the time to read the reviews of previous users. You can also seek recommendations from your peers and trusted friends before choosing an online website builder.
