How to create a website

 

Creating a website is much easier than you think. A few years back, you had to know a lot about coding, design and much more in order to get a decent looking website. Now there are lots of interfaces such as Wix, that allow you to create a website in just a few clicks.

But why would you need one in the first place? Because today, everyone needs an online presence. Yes, the local store needs one, the food truck, the guest house, the therapist and the architect. Anyone who wants people to find them easily need one. It is not enough anymore to have just a Facebook page, or your number in the yellow pages. Customers want as much information as possible about you, before they decide it’s worth inquiring further, or dropping by in person. What’s more, if they don’t know about you, a website is a great way to get their attention. How many times have you googled “Plumber + your town”, or “Restaurant + that holiday destination you will spend your summer at”?

A website allows you to connect your other accounts, such as your social media page, your email (or a contact form if you want privacy), to have a quick map and directions to your place, and so on. Think about it as a giant FAQ page that will save you a ton of time. That is more time to grow your business instead of answering the phone and the same questions over and over again.

Say you are doing family counseling. You should have a page about yourself, your qualifications and experience. Who are you and what makes you great? Another page can describe what type of counseling you do exactly, to make sure potential clients are a good fit. And a third page should be about how to contact you, where to find you, and a booking form with your rates and availability. There, you just saved yourself a secretary. Just with three little pages. And a ton of back and forth email with potential customers. You could add more as you get more used to your new website, such as a page with feedback from clients, or a blog about the pro bono work you do with foster kids.

The possibilities are endless, and that is why instead of hiring a web designer to do a one off job, you should learn how to create and update your website. It will save you a lot of money, and you will have full control over the information you publish. Developers are great if you need something high end. But the truth is, most small businesses can manage perfectly with a basic website until they grow bigger.

On Wix, it is easy to learn how to create a website, you just have to follow the steps they take you through. Again, there is no need to be a professional designer, because once you register (by entering your personal details or in one click with your social media account), Wix offers you a number of web templates to chose from. A template is a basic layout that you can then customize to fit your exact needs. There are templates by style, but also templates by type of business, such as hotels or food businesses. They already contain most of the features that are needed for these specific niches, so you should favor them compared to the generic ones.

But if you really like a more general template, you can always get some add-ons to make it your own. You can create a website for your existing business, or simply for yourself, as an online curriculum, to show potential recruiters your work and explain why they should hire you.

You can also create an online store to sell your goods and services. Wix artificial intelligence helps you get it running even faster than before. They will help you refine your needs to find the best fit for you. For example I just typed “clothing” and was offered a wide variety of options from the classic clothing blogger or clothing shop to things I had not even though about such as clothing photography studio or pet clothing! That is to say how far you can go in customizing.

With a few more clicks, you will be able to select colors, enter blocs of text, and add pictures.

Another advantage is that a basic website with Wix is free. You can then add paying options such as having your own URL. But again, for most budding businesses, the simple free features should be more than enough to get started. That is a great opportunity to start having an online presence at no cost, and once you bring in enough cash to justify the expense, you can easily upgrade.

Remember, once your website is live, you need to keep it current. Make sure you update your address, feature your latest offers or promotions, and link to your social media pages.

Ready? What are you waiting for to create a website?