Does your business need a website?

“Just because everyone is doing it doesn’t mean you should too” – this is the first thing you need to embrace in order to be a successful business person.

Why you should have a website

A website is an online presence that let’s everyone one know you are there. Having a physical shop front or office space is one thing but you are not there 24-7. A website gives your customers access to you all day, every day, at any time.

Your website is an asset

A lot of people underestimate the value of a well designed website. Your business website is an asset and it is simply not good enough to ask your friend’s son who studied computers one semester to whip up a sloppy website for you.

In fact, an ugly and poorly designed site will give potential customers the impression you are unprofessional and amateur. In our opinion, have no website is preferable a dodgy hack job with lazy graphics, mismatched typefaces and no cohesive brand.

Like any business asset, you need to invest in the planning, development and design of your website. A website doesn’t have to be expensive but it needs to be done by a professional. Take time to look at your options, make the right decision first and save the headache later.

Nature of businesses

Different businesses will have different requirements on their website because of the way you run your business, the service/product you provide, your location and your target customers.

For service providers like doctors, accountants, hair dressers etc a website allows your customers to find out your services, opening hours, map your location and share your website with friends and family.

If you run a cafe or restaurant etc, you will want a website to promote your menu, weekly specials and allow customers to book functions or catering.

If you own a bookshop, cosmetic shop, tool shop etc you might want a website that has an online store, a gallery of your products, a space to announce promotions, and a system that allows customers to review the products.

We could go on with examples, the point is – your business is unique, you need a website that reflects your needs and your customer’s needs.

Don’t follow trends, just because…

Depending on the nature of your business, your website may only need a page of content with contact details, opening hours and a few images. For businesses that are based online, then you definitely need an online shop or quoting service, gallery of products and services.

But if you think your business websites needs a blog, forum, facebook, Twitter just because everyone else has one, then you are very mistaken.

Social media and networking outlets are good for driving traffic but takes a lot of time and effort on your part to maintain fresh regular content. Before taking the plunge with add-on features to your website, speak to your designer or developer about how they can help you.

The worse thing you could do is pay for a service you won’t use.

Questions you need to ask

• How will a website benefit my business?
• Who can deliver my website both professionally and meet my budget?
• What is it costing me if I don’t have a website?
• If any, how much time do I have to dedicate to my website
• How can I grow my business with my website asset?

If you are looking to get a website or would like some help with your existing website, give us Giggle Media call on 1800 288 096 or drop us an email.

Building wealth through business: a one day workshop with Rueben Buchanan

On Saturday, Giggle Media attended the Building Wealth Through Business workshop hosted by MBE Education delivered by Reuben Buchanan. A couple of weeks earlier, we signed up for complimentary tickets through our email subscription with ThinkBIG magazine, an online magazine dedicated to personal development and business development. continue reading…

Can you write a 12 word story?

Writing or reading stories that make people think, feel, learn, love etc, is hard enough
…let alone write a story with a limit of 12 words that can do some or all of that!

This is what I’ve recently discovered at 12words.com.au. Or on Twitter @12words #12words
It’s highly addictive, not just just as a “writer” but as a reader as well.
What have others written about? What can I come up with that says enough of what I need it to say? continue reading…

Examples in bad web design

The term web design does not only refer to aesthetics of a website but also its structure, functionality and features. There are numerous ways a website can suffer from bad design, this article looks at poor structure and organisation as a basis for bad web design by examining three websites that suffer from it. continue reading…

Does your website pass the usability litmus test?

Usability is a key factor in determining the success of your website. When designing and writing content for a website, consider how your site is perceived when a user clicks through from a search engine result.

If a user lands on your website and cannot find the information they need within seconds, he/she will likely leave and move onto a another site.

So how can you give your website a fighting chance? continue reading…