Finding Website Developers for Small Business Owners

We might sound like a broken record, but it can’t be stated enough how important a quality website is for small business owners to attract new customers to their business. Websites are the modern equivalent of a storefront. Good websites invite prospective customers by looking nice and conveying the products and services they might find inside. Clunky, cluttered, uninviting websites deter customers like a dirty or ugly storefront might.

This article highlights the benefits of good web design for small businesses, best practices for hiring a website designer, and what to look for in a web design agency.

Benefits of Good Web Design for Small Business

As mentioned, websites are your storefront to the world. Websites should be visually appealing but also quickly convey the value proposition of your products or services. Think about how you search or browse the internet. If you’re like most people, you might look at a website quickly, and if it doesn’t immediately speak to you, then you move on to the next one. If a site doesn’t capture your attention, is slow or hard to use, or is just plain ugly, then you might keep scrolling. But, if the site appeals to you, you’ll read more and perhaps purchase or get in touch. Optimizing websites for search engines is crucial to improve visibility and rankings.

Your website can also help generate trust and credibility. It’s your chance to make a first impression. Design isn’t everything, but it’s a part of how you present yourself to the world. Showing you care about your website’s design shows attention to detail. Make sure your first impression to a visitor indicates that you are credible and someone they might want to work with or purchase from.

Web Design Best Practices for Small Business

Some basic principles of design are worth understanding, whether you are hiring someone or planning to try and build your site yourself. First, make sure to pick a reader-friendly font. I often come across sites with hard-to-read cursive-style fonts, which are nearly impossible to read. In addition, make sure to utilize a color scheme that is easy on the eyes and has enough contrast to make the site easy to read. Hopefully, your brand designer will have thought through colors and fonts, and you will have easy-to-follow guidelines that will translate well to your website. Finally, make sure to use high-quality photos that showcase your products or services.

When thinking about copy and content, ensure the hero section (aka “above the fold” or the section a visitor sees when they land on your site) immediately explains your business and the problems you can solve for the visitor. Again, you have such a short amount of time to engage a website visitor, and often, this is the only section someone will see, so make sure it immediately appeals to your prospective customers. You also want a clear call to action - whether to purchase or fill out a contact form. Make sure your website design and content are driving visitors to take this action.

Finally, you want to ensure that your website’s basics are covered. This includes mobile optimization (making your website viewable on mobile and other devices) and technical search engine optimization (SEO) setup.

Finding Web Design Companies for Small Business

When in the market for a web design company, there are several options to consider. You can hire freelancers through Upwork or PeoplePerHour, but we’ve written extensively about why this is generally a bad idea before.

We suggest using an agency like Peak Digital Studio or one of our competitors. The benefit of agencies is that they generally have multiple people with varying expertise, from design, development, SEO, and content, who cover all the elements that go into creating an excellent website. Agencies also have more staying power, so if you need help with your site down the line (and you almost certainly will), you can go back to them.

You should also consider using a subscription service like Peak’s, which offers ongoing support, maintenance, and hosting, plus the initial design and development of the site, for a transparent monthly price.

If we’re not the right service for you, we suggest looking for agencies in a few different places. The first is through your network - it’s always helpful when someone you know has an agency they worked with and liked. Another place we like is DesignRush, which connects clients with top web design companies that fit their needs.

How to Choose the Right Web Design Agency

When choosing the right web design agency, several things should be considered. First, evaluate their expertise. How long have they been in business? Do they offer a full suite of services, including design, development, technical SEO setup, or any other digital marketing services you might need?

Second, make sure to scrutinize their portfolio. Do you like the websites they’ve built in the past? Are they similar types of businesses to yours? Do they specialize in small business websites? You might also review the customer testimonials and ask to speak with previous clients to hear their experience with the agency directly. Finding the best web designers for small businesses is crucial as they tailor their services to meet your specific requirements and objectives, ultimately boosting credibility, reaching local audiences, and increasing profit.

The third thing to consider is which platform or technologies they use. Most web developers work on Wordpress, which is a ubiquitous platform. Here at Peak, we work on Webflow due to its flexibility, better performance, and scalability. Many other platforms exist, like Squarespace, Wix, Joomla, and even custom technologies. I wrote an article about these various platforms to help you choose which is right for your business. Be sure the developer you hire works with the platforms that best suit your needs.

Finally, consider their pricing and engagement models. Do they work on an hourly, project, or retainer/subscription basis? If hourly, how quickly do they work, and what do they expect the overall cost to be? If per project, how easy is it to get them to make fixes in the future? Are they responsive? Finally, if subscription/retainer basis, what does that include on a monthly basis? Is hosting part of the package, and how quickly can they make updates?

Here at Peak, our monthly subscription/retainer packages include just about everything you need, including:

• Bug fixes
• Weekly SEO audits
• Ongoing improvements/updates (such as redesigns or new pages)
• Hosting

Just be sure that with whatever model you choose, you can have clarity on everything that includes it and what happens when you inevitably need changes and fixes.

Conclusion

Finding the right web developer for your small business is vital to having a solid online presence. Remember, your website is your digital shopfront, so make a lasting impression on potential customers. Investing in design means your site looks great, is user-friendly, and communicates your value proposition.

When choosing a web design agency, look for those with a solid portfolio, positive client testimonials, and expertise in the platforms that suit your needs. Consider the engagement models they offer, so you have clarity on pricing and ongoing support. Follow these tips, and you’ll be well equipped to choose a web development partner to help your business grow online.

Small Business Website FAQ

How much does it cost to build a website

The cost of building a website can vary greatly depending on its complexity and the services required. A basic website might cost between $500 and $5,000, while more complex sites with custom features can range from $5,000 to $50,000 or more. Ongoing costs such as hosting, maintenance, and updates should also be considered.

How much traffic does a website get

Website traffic varies widely depending on factors like the site's niche, quality of content, SEO, and marketing efforts. Tools like Google Analytics can help track and analyze the number of visitors to your site. On average, a new website might get a few hundred visitors per month, while established sites can attract thousands to millions of visitors monthly.

How to get your website on Google

To get your website on Google, start by submitting your site to Google Search Console. Ensure your site is optimized for search engines (SEO) by using relevant keywords, creating quality content, and obtaining backlinks from reputable sites. Make sure your site is mobile-friendly and has a fast loading speed. Regularly update your content to keep it fresh and engaging.

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