Thanks to technology, you no longer have to rely on door-to-door efforts to reach your target audience. A web and social presence has become a BIG DEAL and business owners are no longer asking how a website or social media will benefit their business, instead, they are asking how to go about getting their business online.
If your business is not yet online and you’re looking to reap the rewards from the many benefits the online space offers, we’ve compiled a list of the 7 magic things to consider when building websites. This 7-step strategy will help keep your business relevant and on track.
1. Plan and invest time
Consider a house for a second, before adding all the bells and whistles that’ll make it aesthetically appealing, the architect has to carry out the planning process and the construction team needs to lay the foundation and work on the structure. The differentiating factor between a successful and a dismal website is the amount of time you invest in it.
When proper planning and time is invested, you increase your pool of potential clients. Think of time as a three-fold factor; your website allows you the opportunity to advertise, advertising results in brand awareness and brand awareness leads to sales.
2. Creativity is crucial
If your website is 10 years old and lacks personality and character, it may be time to ditch the dusty design and wow your audience with a fresh, modern look that’ll help elevate your brand status. With access to a worldwide search of epic designs, you’re spoilt for choice. Research trends and styles that best represents your brand. DON’T copy your competitors or opt for a style that doesn’t suit who you are and what you do.
3. Purpose-driven and audience-specific
A home is designed with enough room to cater to the entire family and with careful consideration for their individual needs. To make it a win-win for both you and your customers, consider how you can best accommodate them and align your design with their needs in mind.
Before you start designing your website, ask yourself what purpose it will serve and who your target audience will be. Make a list of what you wish to achieve through your website and what message you’re wanting to convey to your audience. Be sure to design your website with a goal in mind.
4. Consider the competition
While your competitors may pose a threat, they also serve a valid purpose. They teach you how to set yourself apart and dominate your industry. What’s their unique selling point? Are they offering discounts and specials or free delivery? Are they producing killer content that resonates with their audience? Evaluate their strengths and weaknesses and identify how they are fulfilling the needs of consumers.
5. Mobile-friendly
When people visit your home for the first time and Google maps fails to pinpoint your location, you’re likely to direct them by pointing out buildings or signs they can easily identify with. Your website is no different, with most of your website traffic coming from mobile users, navigation should be as effortless as possible.
If your site is not designed with mobile users in mind, you’re likely to lose visitors. Looking to attract a wider audience, rank higher in search engines and outshine the competition? 
Make sure your content (text, images and videos) flows and loads as well on a mobile device as it would on desktop.
6. Maintenance
Technology is not indestructible, problems and website upkeep is inevitable. Do you possess the technical skills and knowledge to fix problems when they arise? If you’re not tech savvy, the help of an experienced designer or developer may be necessary. While some designers may charge once-off maintenance fees, investing in a monthly retainer can save you both time and money.
7. Cost
We tend to consider the cost of anything we need or want. Often asking ourselves if it’ll be a worthy purchase or whether it fits within our budget. Let’s be honest, some things are truly worth a good amount of money. Your website is one of them. Cost essentially depends on a few elements – is it a straightforward 1 or 3-pager, or do you need a fully-fledged e-commerce site that requires some technical skills?
Will it be a DIY website or do you need the help of an experienced web designer? Who’ll do the domain registration and monthly website hosting? For your convenience, we’re your all-inclusive Web Partner offering premium and professional design packages at remarkably affordable prices. 
To ensure your website yields an effective ROI; you need to be flexible to change, willing to adapt and open to growth.
