This blog post has been authored by Stand Out Online Member Heather Jones, Heather Jones Creative
There are many, many reasons that you may be thinking about a new website for your small business- but here are 5 signs you need a new website.
1. You don’t have a website
This is the ‘captain obvious’ sign, but you’d be surprised at how many small business owners can relate to this one. A prime example of this is if you started a side hustle or hobby for fun, and then it turned into a money making business. Whether you’re currently operating from word of mouth or your personal facebook page- it’s time to invest in what will be your greatest business asset.
Whether you DIY from a website template, hire a designer, or learn how to do it on your own with some help, it’s definitely time to up your website game.
2. You’re running your business from your social media pages
Nothing looks more unprofessional that selling products or services from your social media accounts. It’s completely fine to do this when you’re in the baby stages of business, but this tactic can only take you so far.
Your clients and customers are going to want to know that you are legit, trustworthy, and have some authority in your space. Having a website means that you can present all of the information needed to show them that you are credible and a real business owner.
3. You’re embarrassed to share your URL
If you have a website that’s old, outdated or all over the place when it comes to the design, you’re going to be hesitant and probably even embarrassed to share your website URL.
Think of your website as your online resume, it’s like putting your best foot forward. If you don’t feel good about it and aren’t eager to share it with others, you’re probably not going to ‘get the job’ aka book new clients. Don’t let a fugly website be your stumbling block to business growth and success.
4. Your website is not optimized for mobile
This one is often overlooked, but I can’t stress how it important it is to have a mobile optimized website. “In the first quarter of 2021, mobile devices (excluding tablets) generated 54.8 percent of global website traffic, consistently hovering around the 50 percent mark since the beginning of 2017.”– Source
Let’s do a little exercise. Whip out your phone right now and go to your website. If it’s painful to look at, you guessed it: it’s time for a new website. You can’t afford to lose 50% (or more!) of your website visitors b/c your mobile website is not up to par. In today’s world, it’s absolutely crucial to have a website that displays beautifully across all devices.
5. You can’t update your own content
Gone are the days of having to hire a web designer to make any and all changes to your website. With the abundance of easy and intuitive drag and drop website builders, it’s gotten so much easier to update your content on your own.
If you feel uncomfortable going in to make edits, changes or additions to your website, you should definitely consider a new website for your small business (and probably on a better platform, too).
Ready to get started creating a website for your small business?
DOWNLOAD THE FREE WEB DESIGN ROADMAP:
https://heather-jones.com/roadmap
With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Computer Animation and almost 15 years of experience in the industry, I’m equipped to help you create the brand and website of your dreams. As your creative partner, I will ensure that your brand and website is a true reflection of you – your personality, your aesthetic, your story.