For 20 years, all you needed were business cards and phone book listings. Then the internet came along and complicated everything - your competitors gained an edge; business growth became static. Maybe your customer counts are down or expensive employees don't have enough to do. It's not too late to reverse the trend.
Figure out your marketing budget. Wait... you don't have a marketing budget?? Oh yeah, I forgot - you're a small business owner. This means you're the CEO, receptionist, sales guy, janitor, and accountant. If you don't have a marketing budget that may be another reason your business is sputtering - no one knows you exist. Develop a marketing budget! It doesn't have to be much; maybe $100-200 a month. Just be sure to include a website in your budget.
A website can give your small business a boost; communicate with current customers while attracting new ones. A website gives your prospects more information than a business card. Today's consumers not only expect more than a card - they demand more. You need a website.
According to Google, 45% of all searches are now done by people looking for a local, small business. If you don't have a website, you're missing tons of opportunities.
Can small business website development be expensive? Yes. Can it be complicated? Yes. But small business website development has come a long way. Affordable web design is now more prevalent than it has ever been, and there are tons of options.
Small business website development does not have to be complicated. If you're somewhat adventurous, try using doing it yourself. Companies like Wix and Homestead offer affordable, do-it-yourself web design tools. If computers are not your thing, don't worry. Companies like Web.com or SetMySite.com will handle your small business website development for you. All of these companies offer affordable monthly rates for small business marketing budgets.
Whatever option you choose, you've made the right decision by putting small business website development on your long, hectic entrepreneurial to-do list. Below are some of the companies previously mentioned. Most of them are cheaper than your cell phone bill, and they'll fit in nicely with your $100-200 monthly marketing budget. You do plan on marketing your small business, right? I sure hope so :)
Small Business Website Development Suggestions
- Homestead - build it yourself
- Web.com - build it yourself or they can build it for you
- Set My Site - they'll build it for you
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