They call Australia the “innovation nation”, but according to our research, 60 per cent of Australian small businesses are without a website, consequently missing out on a wealth of opportunities that their online counterparts already enjoy.
Building an online presence, which starts first with having a website, can be crucial for small-business success. Having a website for your business can give you exposure to a world of new customers help you to build stronger relationships with your existing customers, build trust and boost your brand’s profile. What’s more, thanks to the wealth of digital platforms and easy to use technology choices now available, it’s never been easier to get a business up and running online.
Here are five tips to help get tech-savvy and take your business online:
1. Register your domain name
When choosing your domain name, keep it simple on your first go. Your domain name should be easily recognisable so try using keywords that spell out what your business is or does. This will be helpful for potential customers who will have an easier time finding you among the crowd.
2. No passion is too small!
Irrespective of size, websites can really help a business’ success. A sleek and professional looking website can also help to build your brand image and provide an effective way to engage with new and prospective customers. And if time and cost is putting you off, don’t let it. It’s entirely possible to create a professional looking website in under an hour – and affordably. For the time-poor and cash-strapped among us, it can be a great investment.
3. Be confident
A huge “put off” for people starting up online is the prospect of thinking it’s too complicated. Today, even the least tech-savvy among us can get themselves online quickly by taking advantage of intuitive web-building tools and platforms that offer an impressive range of website templates to make it quick and easy to build professional website that works for your business.
4. Desktop vs mobile
Customer behaviour is very different across desktop and mobile. While desktop or laptop browsing tends to be more casual, mobile browsing is often done ‘on the go’ with a specific objective in mind. For example, people will often rely on their smartphones to find opening hours, contact details, reviews, and even make last-minute purchases. So, what does all this mean? It means your mobile site will likely grab attention when it really counts, so getting your website fit for mobile browsing is essential.
5. Engaging customers
A business website is a virtual hub where existing and potential consumers can participate with your business, learn from it, and feel engaged by it, whether it be through impressive visuals, engaging content, or multiple communication touchpoints. A content-rich website is also essential for a robust social-media strategy that can inspire increased trust and confidence in your business. By promoting your content through your social media channels, you can also encourage interested audiences to visit your website.
Tara Commerford, Vice President and Managing Director Australia & New Zealand, GoDaddy
