Website Design for Small Businesses: 5 Epic Ways To Stand Out Online
No one can get away with a lacklustre website these days.
If your website is tired or your competition is looking fierce, fear not, small business owner :
Here are 5 professional tactics on how to breathe fresh fire into your online website presence.
Pro Tip 1
Brutal Honesty About Small Business Websites.
Without doubt, an up-to-date, smooth website sings with confidence and professionalism.
If you already have a website, read this Pro Tip 1.
If you need a website, skip to Pro Tip 2.
A slick, functioning website is an essential business investment. If you're reading this, let's assume you have doubts about the appeal or viability of your current website.
First, you need to ascertain what you like and what you want to achieve.
Grab a pen and ask yourself uncomfortable questions, score 1 to 10 on each point:
Do you like your website? (Yep - this is important. You have to LOVE it)!
Would you buy from your website?
Does it function smoothly on the web and mobile?
Score your website against your competitors for aesthetics, function and general appeal.
Does your website achieve its primary objective? Eg: sell products, entertain, educate or build trust in your services?
If your score is woeful, it's decision time! Speak to a professional (hellooo!) about whether you can pull off an overhaul, or whether you need a new website.
Pro Tip 2
Gather Website Design Inspiration:
Small businesses can really stand out by investing in website design that is distinctive and memorable. The first step to achieving great design is to know what you like, and what you don’t!
You're in luck with this Pro Tip because you'll be stumbling across website design inspiration without even realising it. Clever website design ideas and inspiration come from the most surprising places.
When you're on your daily internet travels, note any eye-catching websites in an online folder, Pinterest board or browser bookmark. Anything that catches your attention is worth saving.
Website inspiration could come from your competitors, but often, the best inspo will come from outside your own sector.
Think broadly. You might want to note:
A particular layout.
Someone's use of colour.
The slick shopping experience on an e-commerce site.
Little design elements that make you smile.
Eventually, a general 'theme' will emerge in one big folder. As a designer, I encourage my clients to do this. The results help crystalise your like and dislikes.
Pro Tip 3
Focus on Functionality.
Small businesses can gain a competitive edge by offering a seamless and enjoyable user experience. Your website should be slick and smooth to navigate.
A great question we professional developers ask ourselves is:
"Could my grandmother use this website?"
If you're tackling a website overhaul yourself, keep returning to that question. It will stop you veering off into a world of over-complication. Also…
Keep your headlines, menus and options crystal clear. Don’t be clever. Be obvious.
The design must never get in the way of functionality.
I cannot tell you how many amateur sites make it a grind for people to contact them, or they put headings in a hard-to-read font! If you're hiring a professional web designer, it's their job to ensure school-kid errors like this don't happen.
Pro Tip 4
Be Confident. Be Bold.
There's no room for timidity in the cutthroat world of small business websites!
You don't have to be shouty – your business may be centred around gentle or nurturing pursuits – but you must look professionally confident.
Head up, chest out, shoulders back!
Expression: Distinctive colours, fonts, and imagery will express your brand's identity.
Imagination: Do you have a dream client in mind – that perfect client who resonates with your brand? Speak directly to them with your words, colours and website design. Appeal to them. Woo them.
Clarity: Tell people what they need to know!
Tell them how you are going to help them.
Tell them how your business will solve their problem or fulfil their needs.
Pro Tip 5
Website Content Is King.
Media: With unlimited software and AI at your fingertips, there's no excuse for awful photos and videos. High-quality media can significantly enhance your website's appeal.
Copywriting: If writing is not your bag, AI won't help you sound sincere and genuine. Read this if you're in any doubt. Those who know "know", and they hire professional writers. A writer can nail a perfect tone of voice for your brand, use language to nudge your website visitors around your site, and write words that Google will be interested in sharing with the world (SEO).
Summary
So there you have it, my concerned small business owner: 5 pro tips for website design strategies that are key to helping your businesses whoop your competition's ass.
It is fiercely tough out there. I get that. Fabulous website design is a no-brainer investment which will help your business rise above everyone else’s noise. Plus, you should feel proud of your website. After all, it’s the online face of you.
Reach out if you’d like help or advice. I do my best to respond to queries pretty damn fast.
Thank you for reading.
These opinions are from my own professional experience. I hope they save you time or help you make a decision. Drop me a line if you take any of it on board :-)