Small Business Web Site Design - Small Business Web Site Services
a professional look with unique design at affordable prices
Today, a website is a "must have" for almost every business. Are maintenance and marketing costs turning your site into a virtual money pit? Here is some tips on saving money by starting right and doing right.
All providers are not created equal and some may cater to your needs better than others. An E-commerce site has different requirements than a content-only site or a blog, and your provider should understand the demands of your business.
A shared Web host is typically much less expensive than a dedicated host, where your site has its own server. There can be issues concerning security and space, so know your neighbors before moving in.
3) Plan ahead.
When projecting future expenses, plan for growth. Your site may be informational now, but you may want to add e-commerce functionality or an interactive account management section for clients. Remain flexible by avoiding long-term contracts with hosts.
Save thousands by exploring royalty-free stock photos and illustrations. Sites such as Jupiter Images, Shutterstock and iStockPhoto offer millions of images in different genres and styles. Most require subscription fees, but some allow you to pay per download.
Website management is a marathon, not a sprint, and keeping your content fresh is an absolute must. Save on support charges by using a simple content management system with a what-you-see-is-what-you-get (WYSIWYG) editor to update pages on your own, or learn basic code.
Everybody loves a freebie, and website owners are no exception. If you are involved in search marketing, utilize the free reporting and analytics tools available through providers such as Google Analytics, Stat Counter or ClickTracks. This information will help with strategic planning, improve ROl on your marketing dollars, and save money by preventing you from bidding on extraneous keywords.
Affiliate programs present a low-risk opportunity to create a revenue stream for your site. If you are a merchant or service provider, establishing your own affiliate program may jumpstart sales.
If hosting banners is not appropriate for you, there are alternative ways to monetize traffic. Identify partners that compliment your business and develop programs that benefit both parties.
If you outsource your development or marketing, chances are you work with an agency that bills hourly or works on retainer. Explore your options. Some smaller agencies will engage in a revenue share where they are compensated by splitting the sites net revenue or by commission on leads. This structure also keeps accountability high - the agency's compensation is directly tied to the site's success as a selling tool.
Every website owner wants repeat traffic. Give your visitors the opportunity to enter their email address to receive updates from your company; special offers or product announcements, depending on what makes sense for your business. It's an affordable way to keep in touch with your target audience and keep your business at the top of mind.
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