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Big or small, every company needs to have a professional website to best cater to the demands of their target market. But while this venture is something simple for giant corporations, the idea of crafting a website can be daunting for small business owners.
As one of the essential elements of branding and marketing, there are many things to consider when building, handling, and managing a website. Hence, it's pretty understandable that small companies are apprehensive about the idea of developing one.
With a limitation on the budget and resources smaller organisations can use, it can be detrimental to make a mistake during the process, which makes the experience a lot scarier than it seems. So to give you the confidence to take one step further towards developing your own website, below is a list of helpful pieces of advice regarding website design and development for small businesses.
1. Invest in Responsive Web Design
Today, most online users use mobile devices when researching products and services before making a purchase. According to statistics, about 69 per cent of consumers between the age groups of 18 to 39 years old utilise mobile gadgets in gathering more information about brands.
Given this data, it would be an intelligent move to invest in a responsive web design that gives users access to your website on any device. In addition, this strategy can save you more money than opting for an adaptive website that requires you to create multiple layouts for different gadgets.
2. Keep Everything Simple and Unique
Business owners often think that they need colourful websites to make a more lasting impression on anyone who visits their homepage. However, research shows that most online users actually prefer those with a minimalistic approach. So instead of wasting time and effort coming up with a dizzying colour palette, it would be best to focus your attention on features that elevate user experience.
Don't get us wrong, though. It's still critical to give importance to the aesthetic appeal of your website. Just practise a tad bit of moderation, as less can sometimes yield more. It's also vital that you ensure that elements and features within your design work well with each other. In this way, online users will have an easier time navigating through your site.
3. Pay Attention to Load Time Factors
Studies suggest that nearly half of all online users switch to a competitor if a website takes too much time to load. That being so, it's crucial to be mindful of factors that may slow down your website when loading.
Usually, this problem results from server bandwidth problems, visual content resolutions and hosting issues. Note that, when creating a website, you shouldn't just focus on how it looks. You also have to pay attention to other elements and components that make it functional. In this way, you're less likely to miss out on opportunities to convert prospects.
Conclusion
Many believe that small businesses are at a disadvantage in the digital world. However, you must not let this misconception hinder you from expanding your reach via creating a website. As long as you take note of valuable aspects of website design and development, you'll find that it's not at all impossible to create one, even with limited funds and resources.
For affordable custom website design in the UK, trust only reliable firms such as Online Design UK. We specialise in providing affordable web design services for small and local businesses. With more than six years of experience in the industry, you can rely on us to create and build a website for your brand that will put you above your competitors. Reach out to us today for a quote!