Need a website? These are all your solutions
It’s not news to you that you need a website. But according to Forbes, only 71% of businesses have a website in 2023, which is low. Your website is an online digital home that can connect you with potential customers worldwide.
10 Reasons Why You Need a Website
The importance of a website as a powerful marketing tool (and relying on social media profiles). The best way to establish a strong web presence for your brand is to have your own website with a domain name that is your own.
Building credibility and trust
Having a website allows you to build credibility with a colder audience. According to a survey by Stanford, 75% of users admit to making judgments about a company’s credibility based on its website design. Have you ever come across a business on social media? The thing one does when considering a purchase is then head to their website. Without a website, you cannot welcome them into your digital home and build the trust needed for them to make a purchasing decision.
Showcasing products and services
You need a website to showcase your products and services properly by creating long-form sales pages and adding social proof from past clients. Those pages give your potential clients the information they need to make a buying decision. Without a website, you’re left to do all the heavy lifting yourself.
Reaching a wider audience
With proper Search Engine Optimization, you can reach a wider audience outside of your friends and family circle. Ranking on search engines This is especially helpful if you are close to raising your prices and pricing yourself out of that market. You’ll need a website rank on search results to reach a wider audience that will be able to afford your services (which goes hand-in-hand with having that credibility & trust). Having a web presence is important for small businesses to reach potential new customers online….
Generating leads and driving conversions
With a website, how do you know what marketing tactics are working and which aren’t? You need a website to track leads and ask a very important question on your lead capture form, “How did you hear about us.” This question allows you is an easy way to understand what forms are marketing are working so you can pour more money and resources into those digital marketing avenues.
Providing customer support and engagement
Where do clients go for support if they run into a hiccup with your product or service? A website can provide resources to help your clients feel supported. Have your contact information where they can get help… But also, the longer a visitor lingers on your website engaging with the content, the higher their trust is in your brand.
Improving brand visibility and recognition
When seeking other marketing opportunities, they often ask for your website URL address so they can link to it. Having a website, in those instances, raises your brand visibility. I’ve been at countless conferences and networking events where the potential customers I’m talking to have asked for my website. And I feel confident giving it to them, knowing my website is my best salesperson. A good website can convert prospects into customers….
Gaining a competitive edge
Websites give you the ability to have a competitive edge over your competition, who either don’t have a website at all or have a lackluster website that doesn’t act as the best salesperson on the team. When approaching a new website, don’t throw something up to get it off your to-do list. Approach a new website methodically so it’s an asset working for your business.
Enhancing SEO and online discoverability
You need a website to tap into a new market through SEO. According to Ahrefs, 68% of online experiences begin with a search engine. If you’re not utilizing online discoverability to rank on search engines, then you’re missing out on a wide audience of potential customers. With your own website, you can easily create blog posts to attract new visitors to your business….
Keeping up with digital trends and customer expectations
In this digital age, having a website is expected. When your website is creative and well-designed, it shows you are relevant. It raises brand awareness and sets the tone for customer expectations. In most cases, your website will be your brand’s first impression.
An asset for your business
You own your website domain, unlike Instagram accounts, Facebook pages, or Tiktok followers. Social media platforms are…If your social media profiles were to disappear tomorrow, how would your customers contact you? Having a website is an asset for your business so your client base can stay connected with you. A great website can work seamlessly with your social media channels to boost your web presence…
Website Options
If you’re unsure of the best solution for your business, I encourage you to take our quiz. We will deliver your personalized business advice based on where you’re currently at in business.
Website Template (Price Range Free–$1000)
When first starting your business, website templates are a great cost-effective solution. If you’re new to the business, you may not know who your customer base is and what services you enjoy offering. A website template allows you to have a professionally designed website without spending a lot of time and money on it.
For local businesses, this may be the easiest way to create a small business website that leaves a good impression at a low cost.
Besides the time and cost savings, here are other reasons a website template may be the best option.
Pros of Website Template
User-friendly customization options
The skeleton of the website is already there; you just have to customize it to fit your business needs. Most website templates come with a content management system where you can create pages, blog posts, and update your website…
Wide range of design choices
With hundreds of options out there, you can find a website template that matches your business model and style easily.
Responsive and mobile-friendly designs
With 56% of Google’s US organic search traffic originating from mobile devices, it’s imperative your website is mobile-friendly.
Integration with popular CMS platforms (e.g., WordPress, Showit, Squarespace)
You want a website that you can create, edit, and publish on your own. Most website builder platforms give you the ability with website templates. As a Design Partner, our favorite is Showit.
Cons of Website Templates
Limited customization options
With website templates, you can only customize it so much unless you want to spend hours editing the design which is counterintuitive to the reasons why someone would choose a website template.
Lack of unique design and branding
Most website templates are built with the intent of being “pretty.” They aren’t built with conversions in mind, which means you may have a beautiful website, but is it driving leads to your business?
Potential similarity to other websites using the template
When using website templates, you run the risk of competitors having a similar website. If you are in the luxury or high-end market, that is a faux pas. When your potential clients are searching for someone to work with, you want to stand out and create a memorable experience, not blend in.
When a Website Template might be the best option
Starting a new business on a tight budget
When starting a new business, resources can be limited. It won’t be worth it for you to spend thousands of dollars on a custom website because so much can change the first year of business. For small business owners, a great way to have a well-designed website is to…..
Needing a simple online presence quickly
If you’re in a hurry, then website templates allow you to get a professionally designed website up quickly.
Testing ideas or concepts before committing fully
If you’re testing a new product or service, then website templates are a great option to get a website created without investing a lot of time and resources into the venture.
VIP Day (Price Range $2,500–$6,000)
A VIP Day is one day where you help one of your clients one-on-one with a specific project or to meet a specific goal. It can sometimes be referred to as a Day Rate option.
Pros of a VIP Day
Intensive and focused support
You typically get 8 hours to collaborate with the website designer when investing in a VIP Day and you’re the only project they give their time and attention to that day.
Personalized attention and tailored strategies
You get the 1:1 help of an expert website web designer so you’re not left alone to figure everything out yourself. They can provide custom advice to your specific situation.
Rapid progress and immediate implementation
With intensive support that means you get immediate help and results without waiting.
Cons of VIP Day
Limited time to address all aspects of the business
It can feel rushed because you only have a set amount of hours. You want to fit in as much as possible, which can lead to poor attention to detail.
Requires availability for a full day
With a VIP Day, there are typically regular check-ins with the designer to go over progress. That means you have to be ‘on-call’ the entire day and have the ability to make quick decisions.
May require additional follow-up and support
You may not be able to get everything done during those working hours, which means you’ll have to complete the process yourself or pay for additional support outside of scope, leading to a larger investment.
When a VIP Day Might be the best option
Seeking rapid progress and implementation
If you don’t like to wait, then a VIP Day is a great option to see immediate results.
Streamlined process with clear deliverables
If you want an action plan laid out, then a VIP Day is a great option because the designer typically provides a road map of what they are going to do and what you will need to do afterward.
Specific projects or areas that require intense attention
If you have an idea or direction and want attention to specific areas or pages then a VIP Day is a good option to button up those areas on the website.
Full Rebrand (Price Range $8k–16k+)
A website serves as the digital representation of a brand’s identity, values, and offerings. It is the online platform where customers interact with the brand, making it crucial for the website to align with the brand’s visual aesthetics, messaging, and overall experience. When website visitors find your website for the first time, your website leaves first impressions about who you are and what you do…If you don’t have a clear brand message, an understanding of your ideal client, and a good visual brand, it is nearly impossible to create a compelling website.
Pros of a Full Rebrand
Complete transformation and fresh start
When approaching a website design, you want it to be streamlined and clear to your audience what you want them to do. That’s easily done when you’re starting from scratch and piecemealing your website together.
Customized design and branding
If you’ve been in business for years and serve a higher-end clientele then you must have a customize website and brand that’s bespoke to your services. A full rebrand is the only way to achieve that. You would get a professional website that…..
Opportunity to align the brand with evolving business goals
When going through an entire rebrand, your designer will essentially take your business down to the studs and rebuild it to meet your needs. Most of our clients rebrand when they want to significantly raise their prices, reach a new market, or scale their business.
Cons of a Full Rebrand
Higher cost and investment
A full rebrand is the most costly option because it’s the most in-depth process.
Longer timeframe for planning and execution
A full rebrand typically takes between 3-6 months from beginning to end because you take inventory of every aspect of your business.
More involvement and potential learning curve
Tackling a full rebrand means you’ll need to be involved in the process, which can add more to your plate at times, like when you’re expected to provide feedback and hop on milestone calls to track progress. If you’re switching website platforms, then that can mean a potential learning curve.
When a Full Rebrand might be the best option
Undergoing a significant change in business direction
If you have a major shift in business on the horizon, then a full rebrand is the best option. Some changes maybe if you’re building a team and shifting away from a solopreneur model or opening a new market and wanting to put your best foot forward.
Rebranding to align with new goals or target audience
Most of our clients want to raise their prices and reach a higher-end clientele with their brand and website. A full rebrand gives you all the tools needed to successfully reach that target audience.
Establishing a strong and distinct brand identity
If you’re tired of blending in and want to showcase your unique personality and skillset then a full rebrand will the best option to achieve that goal.
Next Steps if You Need a Website
At Carrylove Designs, we offer a 4-phase rebranding process that has proven to help our clients attract their ideal clients, raise their prices, and book months out in advance.
If you’re still unsure what the best solution is for your business, I encourage you to take our quiz. We will deliver your personalized business advice based on where you’re currently at in business.
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