What are the key elements you NEED on your website?
- Google map
- Individual listing of products and services
- Ability to pre-order or purchase products or services online
- Ability of customer to leave comments, reviews, or ask questions
- Events or sale listings
- Ability to collect customer emails for future contact
- Sign-up forms for discount clubs or events
A smaller business, or one just starting out, can get away with a single page website listing all the key criteria discussed above. As the business grows the website can be expanded.
A KEY ELEMENT to lock down RIGHT AWAY is your domain name. You will want to reserve a domain name that matches as closely as possible your store name.
You can use a service like Namecheap.com to purchase domain names long before you use them on a website. However, if you want to build even a one-page website, if you sign up with a hosting provider like BlueHost, part of their service includes a FREE domain name.
What are some OPTIONAL elements you may want on your website?
- Google map
- Individual listing of products and services
- Ability to pre-order or purchase products or services online
- Ability of customer to leave comments, reviews, or ask questions
- Events or sale listings
- Ability to collect customer emails for future contact
- Sign-up forms for discount clubs or events
Not everything has to be added to a website at one time. As a business grows, certain elements that become important for customer service can be designed and added.
As each element is added, they can be tested thoroughly to make sure the customer experience is as expected.
Websites are meant to make life easier for both the store owner AND the customer. Certain functions can be automated which saves time and energy for both parties. The beauty of a well-thought out website is that it saves everyone time and money in the long run.