What Makes a Good Website for a Small Business?

A killer website is a valuable asset for a business. This statement is especially true for small businesses. A 'good' website can massively improve the outlook for a small business. The question is, what makes a good website?

I have worked with many small businesses over the last half-decade. I have helped them build and grow their websites. This article shares my experience and insight into what makes a small business's website great.

To uncover what makes a 'good' small business website, we must first understand what makes a website valuable to a business.

A website has the power to increase a company's reach and engagement. We live in an era when people learn about companies through Google searches and social media. A website is a must-have if a business is to take advantage of these strategies.

A website also brings credibility and trustworthiness. It presents an opportunity for the company to tell its story how it wants to. It is the method for delivering an unfiltered and uncensored message to customers.

Without a website, a company must rely on third-party tools to market itself. When using these tools, the business must abide by their rules. I don't know about you, but that feels limiting to me.

A website is the linchpin for a business's online presence. It is where customers discover a business, learn about it, and buy from it. It is the only place for a brand to create a pure, online representation of itself.

In the early days of the internet, simply having a website was enough. The days of the 'Dot Com Boom' are gone. Now, website users expect a high-quality business to have a high-quality website.

Whatever your opinion on a society where appearance is as important as substance, it is impossible to avoid. As small businesses, we must all put our best foot forward.

Investing in a professional quality website will, at least, set you apart from those unwilling to make that investment. First impressions are vital. If users are impressed by us over our competitors, we are more likely to convert them to customers. As with most other things, the more you put into your website, the more you get out.

With all that in mind, let's examine the essential features of a high-quality and effective small business website.

As small businesses, we want to give ourselves the best chance of surviving and, hopefully, thriving. A well-crafted, professional website will go a long way in making that happen. Let's break down the features of a website that can help grow a small business.

A great website doesn't require a massive investment. It requires effort and intentionality.

Many DIY website builders offer cost-effective subscriptions to build and host business websites. WordPress, Wix and Shopify are some of the big names. These platforms provide high-quality templates and plugins to create websites quickly and efficiently.

Businesses with more to invest can hire Freelancers to build a custom website. A bespoke website will fit a business's needs rather than the one-size-fits-all solution that some cheaper options offer. Hiring Freelance expertise helps reduce the workload of a small business, preventing the need to hire a full-time employee.

Whatever their budget, small businesses can always create a good website. They can even build a website for free if they choose.

My contact page is the best place to hire a Website Freelancer. In the interest of due diligence, I'll tell you some other places to find Freelancers.

In this article, we have discussed the importance of having a good website as a small business. We have also discussed the features of a good website and how to make one.

If I were to make one final point on what is required to make a good website, it would be Intention and Focus. 

Be intentional about your website goals. Take the time to figure out how your website can enhance your business. You know the direction you want to take your business. Choose website goals that take you in that direction. In another article, I explain how a website can enhance a business. Read that article and set your direction.

When you have your direction, have the discipline and focus to follow it. Making a quality website takes time and effort. The results will come. When they do, you will be glad you spent the time working towards them. Focus on your goals and see them through.