New Year, New Website: A Guide for Small Businesses
New Year, New Website: A Guide for Small Businesses
Every year I use January to do what everyone does. I plan to re-invent myself, or in my case, the business. In March, that plan is still where it was in January, on paper or in my notes app on my phone. Things change, life happens, emergencies happen, what’s new? It is tempting to scorch earth for your website when it needs changes. Before abandoning ship take some time to think through whether a redesign or a brand new website is what you need before hitting delete.
01
Is the website relevant to your current business or product?
Websites can sit for a long time without any updates being made to them. As your business has grown, have you changed your services in a major way from what they are described online since the beginning of your business? Your current website may not be a good representation of what you do, so it may be time to take a serious look at what is happening with your business and build a new website that reflects this.
02
Do you have the time to invest in a brand-new website for your business?
It can be a major project to create a new website from scratch. The reason for knowing your bandwidth for a new website is that a new website may require more time and focus than initially thought. if you don’t have a clear picture of why and how you are going to use the website, who your users will be (and what your goals are for the website), you might want to take a step back and evaluate before starting a new project. You may be offering the same type of services but your website is running slowly, looks outdated, or has little traffic. By performing a web refresh that also focuses on troubleshooting, you might be able to fix those problems without major disruptions to the website or business itself.
03
Do You Need a Brand Guide?
There is a possibility that you do not have a website problem, but rather a brand problem. When customers regularly call or email your business to ask about services you don’t offer, or if they have difficulty understanding what you do as a result of the branding, focusing on what you represent could be a path to clarity for them. Talk to people who regularly use your business.
Every year I use January to do what everyone does. I plan to re-invent myself, or in my case, the business. In March, that plan is still where it was in January, on paper or in my notes app on my phone. Things change, life happens, emergencies happen, what’s new? It is tempting to scorch earth for your website when you see it needs changes. Before abandoning ship take some time to think through whether a redesign or a brand new website is what you need before hitting delete.
01
Is the website relevant to your current business or product?
Websites can sit for a long time without any updates being made to them. As your business has grown, have you changed your services in a major way from what they are described online since the beginning of your business? Your current website may not be a good representation of what you do, so it may be time to take a serious look at what is happening with your business and build a new website that reflects this.
02
Do you have the time to invest in a brand-new website for your business?
It can be a major project to create a new website from scratch. The reason for knowing your bandwidth for a new website is that a new website may require more time and focus than initially thought. if you don’t have a clear picture of why and how you are going to use the website, who your users will be (and what your goals are for the website), you might want to take a step back and evaluate before starting a new project. You may be offering the same type of services but your website is running slowly, looks outdated, or has little traffic. By performing a web refresh that also focuses on troubleshooting, you might be able to fix those problems without major disruptions to the website or business itself.
03
You Really Need a Brand Guide
There is a possibility that you do not have a website problem, but rather a brand problem. When customers regularly call or email your business to ask about services you don’t offer, or if they have difficulty understanding what you do as a result of the branding, focusing on what you represent could be a path to clarity for them. Talk to people who regularly use your business.
Before making any drastic decisions, take the time to assess the current state of your website and your business. A thoughtful approach to whether a redesign or a new website is needed can save time, resources, and potential disruptions. Consider your business evolution, user experience, and branding to make an informed decision that sets the stage for a successful online presence in the coming year.
Remember, a strategic approach to your website can be as transformative as the change itself.
Before making any drastic decisions, take the time to assess the current state of your website and your business. A thoughtful approach to whether a redesign or a new website is needed can save time, resources, and potential disruptions. Consider your business evolution, user experience, and branding to make an informed decision that sets the stage for a successful online presence in the coming year.
Remember, a strategic approach to your website can be as transformative as the change itself.
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