Build your business website tutorial 1: research21 March 2005
An increasing number of businesses are discovering the benefits of having a website. Whatever the nature of your work, it is valuable to consider the types of website your competitors have and how successful you think they are at achieving their objectives. A search on Google for your line of business in the UK should give you a good starting point.
The next step in deciding on your business website is to consider your business model. Your website should suit the nature of your business and the growth stage you think you are at. A large, complicated website may not suit your business if you are a sole trader, or very small business - and a website that needs constant updating may be an unnecessary drain on your resources.
Likewise, a small website is likely to be unsuitable for a business trading online with a wide variety of products and services.
Consider your customers
You should consider the needs of your users in every decision you make about your website. There are three basic types of business website you should consider:
- Informative - an online brochure or way for potential customers to learn more about your business. This type of website is ideal if your trade can't be performed over the Internet, but you want to promote your services and offer a full explanation of what a potential customer can expect from you. The inclusion of customer testimonials will help to foster a sense of trust with potential customers - and it lets them know what to expect from your business. One example of an online brochure can be seen in the bt.com website.
- Online shop - This could range from a website selling one product or service to a niche online shop to complement your 'bricks and mortar' shop. Online trading websites are geared towards visitors who are ready to purchase online. We will cover how online shops later in the series of guides. The BT Business store is a good example of a site that is purely sales oriented.
- Relationship sites - These sites work to develop relationships with customers through two-way communication. Typically, your site will offer a service or information in return for capturing visitor information. Relationship sites offer time-sensitive information to encourage repeat visits - however, this also means you must invest time in updating your content. To get an idea of a relationship site - visit our Help & support section.
Take time to think about what you want your website to deliver for your business. In next week's guide, we will discuss choosing your domain name.
