There’s lots of advice and chatter geared towards the business-savvy web developer out there. You can find ideas for the best design programs to use, the best ways to improve site speed or SEO, and the surest ways to create a layout that most closely appeals to the interest of your target audience. Ultimately, if your business has a strong online presence that you seek to further optimize, there are countless resources to help you make that happen.
But what about our average low-tech business owner? This man certainly sees the benefits for getting his business advertised online, but he’s far from a tech geek. He doesn’t own a smartphone, the computer plays a minimal role in the operation of his business, and his most tech-savvy skills are finding traffic reports on the radio and doing a reverse phone lookup to track an unknown call. What should he do? For that matter, what steps should anyone take who wants a basic yet effective website for their business?
If you’re looking for an answer to any of the above questions, here are some suggestions:
Be Informative
If your site is only a side component of your business, there’s a good chance that the average visitor will arrive there seeking out basic information. This includes such information as hours of operation, contact details, services provided, featured employees, and driving directions. Since most of these visitors are probably current or future customers of your business, it’s best to primarily design your site with them in mind. You can do this, simply, by providing all the basic information and doing so in a clear and forward manner.
Keep It Clean and Professional
Business owners who make their own sites often delve too far in their web design to one of two extremes: they either try too hard, and make a sophisticated-looking site filled with obvious problems and glitches, or they make it too simplistic and basic, thereby losing credibility with a layout more reminiscent of 1995 than 2011. The goal is to find a medium between these two extremes while keeping your ultimate objective in mind – a site that legitimizes your business in the virtual world, and does so clearly, without causing you any potential headaches as a result. With this in mind, go for a design that is both basic and modern. You don’t need imbedded videos or stylish drop-down menus, but you’re probably going to need a strong color scheme, a clear presentation, and some easily navigate-able panels. There are many online resources to help you find the right scheme for your business.
Think Local
If you’re a small business owner, your clients probably live within a limited geographic area. This means that your potential clients probably also do, as well. So instead of using fancy SEO services to boost your online visibility, stick with those programs that can promote you on a local level. The easiest way to do this is by posting your website on Google Places, which can then link your business to many mapping queries.
With these tips in mind, you can hopefully now begin to envision the low-frills yet professional website that can best serve your business needs. You don’t need to be a tech guru to do it. Rather, you should simply have your core business objectives in mind.