Why Your Business Needs a Website - And How to Build One
Why You Need a Website
A website is a non-negotiable aspect of running a small business. It’s your virtual storefront, a 24/7 and essential marketing tool.
Some Statistics:
95% of consumers search online before making a purchase
61% of consumers are more likely to buy from mobile-friendly sites
79% of people who don’t find what they’re looking for on one site will move on
Why a well-designed site improves sales:
Online Presence = Credibility:
Over 75% of people judge a company’s credibility based on its website design. A professional website (even a simple one) tells customers you’re legitimate and serious about your business.
E-Commerce Growth:
With increasing customers shopping online, small businesses must be accessible online to capture their market share.
Mobile Traffic Dominance:
Without a mobile-optimized website, you risk alienating more than half of your potential audience.
24/7 Accessibility:
Your website works around the clock. Whether you offer services, retail products, or consultations, customers can browse your offerings and contact you anytime.
Control of Your Brand’s Identity:
While social media is essential, your website is where you have complete control over your brand’s messaging, design, and user experience. It’s the central hub for all your online marketing efforts.
Your website should represent your business while being user-friendly (UX) and mobile-friendly.
Enter Squarespace
I’ve been building websites for small businesses since 2017. There are many platforms to choose from (a few of which I’ve used), but I’ll recommend only one.
Squarespace is now my go-to for all small businesses. It’s easy to set up, self-maintain, and all the tools you need are built in.
1. Ease of Use = No Coding
Squarespace’s drag-and-drop functionality means anyone can build a professional website without coding experience. This is essential for small business owners who don’t have the time or budget to hire developers. With intuitive design tools, you can update your site on the go. Plus, if you want to add some code, you can.
2. Beautiful, Customizable Templates
Squarespace offers a wide range of beautiful, mobile-responsive templates for different industries. Every template is customizable, allowing you to adjust colors, fonts, and layouts to match your brand’s style.
3. Mobile-Optimized Design
With mobile traffic being nearly two-thirds of global web traffic, having a site that works seamlessly on phones and tablets is essential. Squarespace sites are optimized for desktop and mobile users, ensuring customers always have a flawless experience. Research shows that 88% of consumers are less likely to return to a website after a poor mobile experience, so Squarespace’s mobile responsiveness is a crucial advantage for small businesses.
4. Built-In SEO Tools
75% of users never scroll past the first page of search results, making search engine optimization (SEO) crucial to being found online. Squarespace has built-in SEO features that simplify the process for small business owners. These features are designed to help your business rank higher on Google and other search engines without requiring extensive SEO knowledge.
5. Powerful Marketing Tools
You can easily set up email campaigns, integrate social media platforms, and even blog directly from your website. By keeping all your marketing efforts in one place, you can track performance and connect with customers seamlessly. Squarespace’s built-in analytics help you understand your audience and improve engagement, ultimately driving sales.
6. E-commerce for Small Businesses
With online shopping continuing to grow, e-commerce sales in the U.S. are expected to surpass $1 trillion in 2024. Your Squarespace store integrates with leading payment processors like Stripe, PayPal, and Apple Pay, ensuring smooth customer transactions, whether selling physical goods, services, or digital products. Built-in tools for managing taxes, shipping, and promotions allow small businesses to scale efficiently.
7. Scheduling
Clients can schedule consultations and appointments on your site. You set the days, times, and options for availability and types of appointments.
How to get started with Squarespace:
Sign Up for a Free Trial:
Head to Squarespace and sign up. You can start building your site for free without needing a credit card.Choose a Template:
Squarespace offers a wide range of templates designed for different industries. Select one that aligns with your business type and goals, knowing you can customize it further.Customize Your Website:
Upload Your Logo: Make your site unique by uploading your business logo.
Personalize the Design: Adjust fonts, colors, and layouts to match your branding. You can build your pages without technical skills by dragging and dropping content blocks.
Set Up Essential Pages: Add the necessary pages, such as Home, About, Products/Services, and Contact. Each page can be easily customized with text, images, and forms.
Optimize for Mobile & SEO: Using the built-in mobile preview and SEO tools, ensure your site is mobile-friendly and optimized for search engines. Customize page titles, URLs, and meta descriptions to rank higher in search results.
Set Up E-Commerce (if applicable): If you’re selling products or services, Squarespace’s commerce features allow you to set up an online store, manage inventory, and track orders seamlessly.!Publish Your Website:
Once your website is ready, connect your domain (or purchase one through Squarespace) and choose a plan that suits your needs. Then hit “Publish” to go live!
I’m not just a bookkeeper; I also design websites for small businesses!
(“I’m not just the president; I’m also a client.”)
Check out my web design business, With All Good Intentions, to see examples of sites I’ve built or to get a quote for your own business.
Why do I do both bookkeeping and web design? I’m self-made.
Over the decades, I learned web design while honing my bookkeeping skills. Every business needs bookkeeping, and every business needs a website. My brain’s wiring is both logical and creative—web design became the cathartic outlet for my more analytical (and often stressed-out) side. Many of my web design clients also use my bookkeeping services. I love helping small businesses thrive.
