For man start up business owners putting together a brand new website may seem like a complex task, and may have you baulking at the prospect. However with the vast majority of consumers starting their research process online it is vital for companies to have an online identity, and if you want to be taken seriously you’ll need a professional design that is going to effectively represent your brand on the web, creating a great first (and lasting) impression with potential customers. So how do start ups that may not have much previous experience with web design, or a lot of resources to devote to this dilemma obtain a professional site that is going to help the business thrive and not cause too many headaches along the way? Here are a few basic tips to get you going.
Simplicity is Key
As is the case with most start ups, it’s highly likely that an extensive budget isn’t readily available for you to get carried away with design, however, this in no way means you can’t obtain a successful website. Sleek and simple designs are not only on trend at the moment but are also easier and faster to create. A simple design will force you to focus on including content that is of utmost importance to your business, and will result in a better end user experience. Don’t feel that you need to fill space, a clean strategic layout with a limited but striking colour palette will make the user more comfortable with the site and will make it easier to get conversions.
Future-proof with responsive design
As a start up business in the digital age it’s important to make sure your site design will stand up against emerging technologies and devices, and its much easier to factor in these elements as part of your initial build. The last thing you don’t want is to have to redesign in six months time because your site can’t adapt to shifts in the web. Put responsive design on your must have list so that your site will be available to a mobile audience.
Test, Refine and Update
Once your site has been built it needs to be tested thoroughly by the design team and yourself. It also a good idea to get someone who hasn’t been involved in the project to go through each page to provide a fresh opinion on the user experience. Refine Your Content and in most cases this means removing content rather than adding more, and be sure to test on multiple browsers and devices. Identify which areas of your site will need updating and map out a plan to make this happen as fresh and relevant content is vital to the success of your website. These are just a few things to consider if you’re about to embark upon your first website. Proper planning and the right design team will go a long way towards launching a professional online presence for your new business from the get go. Do you have experience with launching a website for a new start up? Let us know your tips in the comments below.