Best Website Designers For Small Business

Finding the right website designer can be exhausting as a small business owner. Your website is the face of your business. It's where clients can locate you and make decisions contact you as a business partner. So, how do you find the best website designers for small business? The good news is it doesn't have to be complicated.

Why are Websites Crucial for Small Businesses

Your website is more than just a simple page for people to check your business. It is also a marketing tool; hence, people have to trust enough to buy, book a service, or even contact you. If an outdated website is too slow or difficult to navigate, some potential clients may just switch to a competing business with better services and website without a second thought.

Not too long ago, I assisted a small local bakery that operated with an extremely basic website. While functional, it completely failed to showcase how delicious and stunning their cakes were. Once they updated their site, which incorporated a fresh design, they increased online orders and orders within a few months. A good website doesn't just helps people find you; it can help a business grow.

What to Consider When Hiring Small Business Website Designers

To find the right website designer, you want to hire someone that understands the needs of small businesses. You need a brand ambassador who will design a website that actively markets your business. Check to see if the designer has experience with small businesses and, if possible, in your field.

As an example, consider you operate a small online shop. You will need a website designer who knows how to set up a streamlined shopping experience, a secure payment system, and set everything up so that it functions properly. A good website designer makes all that possible.

Costs associated with Hiring a Website Designer

You will incur a cost if you decide to hire a designer. The price for such services ranges from hundreds to thousands of dollars for small businesses, based on the features desired, size and complexity of the design.

I can share an example of one small business that I supported which was a yoga studio. All they wanted was an information page on classes and a booking system. The work performed was low cost, and the website met all of their needs.

These features will cost more. Bear in mind, the more you request, the more expensive it will be. It is also important to note that opting for cheaper services does not always work. Sometimes, paying a few extra bucks can be beneficial if you need better design and functionality.

The Designocracy: A Great Option for Small Business Websites

When looking for website designers for small business, The Designocracy is one option that stands out. They focus on developing clean and intuitive websites for small businesses. They know how to meet the needs of small business owners and manage to strike the balance between functionality and style in a website.

For instance, one of my clients recently redesigned their webpage with The Designocracy. The team developed a brand-consistent stunning yet highly functional straightforward page. Additionally, the site was designed to have a manageable backend interface so that the business owner could easily keep the site updated on her own.

Choosing the Right Designer for Your Small Business

Let me help you out by giving a few pointers to finding a website designer for your small business.

Look for Experience: Most designers who have some experience usually work on lots of small business projects, so check to see if he/she understands your needs. It is reasonable to expect that they tell you about the projects they did in the past, especially if they took care of his/her business.

Check Their Portfolio: This should tell you the quality of the designer. Check out some of their previous works and see if that is what you want. You will also be able to appreciate what they are able to do and their artistic prowess.

Ask for References: You can directly speak to previous users of the service and know how good it was. Are they satisfied with the service? Were the expectations set by designers met?

For example, I helped one of my friends who owned a coffee shop get a designer who understood the industry of food business. The website had a great look and the wide view of the shop was very nice. The unusual feature was that he tried to learn how the business operates and built a site that welcomes the users.

How Much Should You Pay For A Website?

The price for a website for a small business can differ quite a bit. For websites that only need some information posted, it could range from $500 to $1500. More complex websites like ones that have online stores or booking features will cost between $2000 to 10,000 depending on the features added.

In any case, remember that this is an investment. Customers and clients gained through the website can pay for the investment made in the website. Treat it like a storefront for your business. For a number of customers, this will be the first point of interaction with your business.

Finding The Right Design For Your Brand

A good website design will help you display the specific features of your brand to tell the customers what your brand is all about. If you want something funky and playful or professional and sleek, your website has to be a reflection of you. This is crucial for small businesses as they need to break through the overly saturated market.

I remember working with a local artist and helped him create a portfolio website. The designer ensured that the website looked very artistic and personal, employing a very simple layout that highlighted the art. This resulted in a stunning website that turned visitors into customers.

Keeping Your Site Updated After Building It

Taking care of your website after it's launched is vital to ensuring it is working properly and not broken. It is best practice to avoid outdated websites. While some designers bundle this maintenance work as part of ongoing support, others will charge separately. Regardless, updating your website regularly needs to be done to avoid loss of traffic.

I recall a situation where a small business hired a designer to get their website done but did not consider any sort of maintenance packages. The website eventually slowed down and had a number of broken links. By the time it was 'fixed', they had lost quite a few potential customers. It is just as important to regularly update and refresh your website as it is to have a professionally designed one.

Search Engine Optimization, SEO, and Responsiveness

Your website designer should also be aware of search engine optimization (SEO). This helps businesses get visibility on search engines when users are interested in what the business offers. SEO optimized websites have faster loading times, easier navigation, and are keyword driven to increase visibility.

Also, check that your site is optimized for mobile use. More and more people prefer to scroll the web on their phones. If your site has not been optimized for mobile devices, you could be losing valuable customers.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Let's go over some mistakes you shouldn't make when looking for a website designer for your small business:

Not Having Clear Goals: Understand what you want to achieve with the website. Do you only need a basic business website? Or would you want a blog or an e-commerce store integrated as well? Make sure you know what you want before you begin.

Ignoring User Experience: Your website needs to be streamlined and efficient. If it is cluttered and slow, people will leave. Focus on creating a smooth experience for your users.

Not Budgeting Properly: Be aware of what you are going to spend right from the start. If you go for the budget friendly option, be prepared that the quality might suffer drastically.

Conclusion

To find the website designers for small businesses, you should pay attention to design style, experience, and goals understanding. As a business owner, remember that your website is one of the most important tools for success. Increases in customers, brand reputation and business growth are results of having a great website.

For small businesses, a designer who understands their needs and can bring their vision to life is The Designocracy.