You know how everyone says a website is crucial for a small business? Well I’ve been into the world of web design and it’s more than just a pretty face.

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Table of Contents

8 Website Design Tips For Small Business Sites: Beyond Just Looking Good

It’s all about making that website actually work for you you know? Like attracting customers generating leads and even making sales.

Imagine that!

1. Forget “Perfect” Embrace “Effective”

First off let’s get one thing straight: a website doesn’t have to be super fancy to be successful.

Yeah it’s cool to have all those fancy animations and slideshows but honestly they can be distracting.

Think about it you’re on the internet looking for something specific right? Like a cool new product a solution to a problem or maybe even a funny cat video (we all have our guilty pleasures). You don’t want to be bombarded with a bunch of unnecessary fluff that gets in the way of what you’re trying to find.

So yeah focus on clarity and simplicity.

Make it easy for people to find what they need and take the next step.

2. The Power of a CMS: Choosing the Right Tool

now that we’ve got that out of the way we need to talk about the brains behind your website: the Content Management System (CMS). It’s basically the software that lets you manage everything – from adding new pages to updating content.

You’ve got a few popular options:

WordPress: It’s the most popular CMS out there. Think of it as the LEGOs of website builders – super customizable. There are tons of themes and plugins to make it your own and you can even find free ones if you’re on a budget.
Squarespace: If you want something more user-friendly Squarespace is a good choice. It’s known for its sleek designs and easy-to-use interface.
Wix: Similar to Squarespace Wix is a drag-and-drop website builder that’s great for beginners. You can choose from a ton of templates and customize them to your liking.

The key is to pick one you’re comfortable with.

Don’t be afraid to play around with a few different ones before you commit.

And remember even if you’re paying someone to build your website make sure they use a CMS so you can easily update it yourself.

3. Picking the Perfect Domain Name: It’s More Than Just a Name

Your domain name is like your website’s address online.

It’s important but don’t stress too much about it.

You can always change it later.

The goal is to choose something memorable and relevant to your brand.

It’s great if it’s easy to type and pronounce too.

For example let’s say you’re starting a business selling handmade jewelry.

You could choose a domain name like “SparklingTreasures.com” “HandmadeByJess.com” or even something more creative like “BeadAndBliss.com.”

And don’t feel limited to “.com.” There are other extensions like “.org” “.net” and even “.io” that are gaining popularity.

Just make sure the domain name is available and you’re good to go!

4. Your Brand’s Identity: Creating a Consistent Look and Feel

Think of your brand as a unique personality.

It has its own colors style and voice.

And your website needs to reflect that.

Colors: Play with different color palettes to find one that matches your brand’s vibe. There are even online tools like Coolors that can help you create a cohesive color scheme.
Logo: A logo is your brand’s visual identity. It’s what people will see when they think of your business. You can design it yourself or hire a freelancer to create one for you. Websites like Fiverr can be great for finding affordable logo designers.
Brand Voice: How do you want your website to sound? Is it friendly professional quirky or something else? This will influence your tone and writing style.

Remember consistency is key.

Use the same colors fonts and overall style throughout your website.

It’s like having a unique outfit that makes your website stand out from the crowd.

5. Maintaining Your Website: It’s Like a Car That Needs Regular Tune-Ups

Just like your car your website needs regular maintenance to keep it running smoothly.

You need to update content fix broken links and make sure everything is up to date.

If you’re not a tech wizard there are tools that can help you with basic website maintenance.

Google Search Console is a free tool that provides insights into your website’s performance.

It’s like having a dashboard for your website that shows you any potential issues.

And if you’re feeling overwhelmed you can always hire a freelancer to help you with ongoing maintenance.

Just remember a well-maintained website is like a well-tuned car – it’s ready to go and can drive you to success.

6. The Power of Funnel Hacking: Learning From the Best

Let’s face it you’re not the first one to try to build a successful website.

There are tons of other businesses out there doing it and some of them are really good at it.

So why reinvent the wheel?

“Funnel hacking” is a term that refers to the process of analyzing successful websites and sales funnels to identify what makes them work.

It’s like studying the masters and learning their secrets.

Think of it like a detective.

You’re looking for clues to figure out what makes these websites successful:

Look at the structure: How are the pages organized? Where are the calls to action placed?
Analyze the copy: What kind of language are they using? What are they saying to persuade people?
Study the user experience: How easy is it to navigate the website? Is it enjoyable to use?

You don’t have to copy everything they’re doing but you can get ideas and adapt them to your own website.

It’s like taking the best parts of different recipes and creating your own unique dish.

7. Beyond Websites: The Power of Sales Funnels

While a website is a great starting point sales funnels are the real powerhouses of online marketing.

They’re designed to guide people through a specific series of steps leading them closer to making a purchase.

Imagine a funnel right? It’s wide at the top and then it narrows down as it gets closer to the bottom.

In the context of marketing the top of the funnel represents your potential customers.

The goal is to draw them in and then guide them through a series of steps like:

Awareness: This is where you introduce your product or service and pique their interest.
Interest: Now they’re interested so you provide more information and build trust.
Decision: They’re ready to make a purchase so you give them a final push.

Sales funnels are like pre-designed paths that help you convert visitors into leads and leads into customers.

They make the whole process more efficient.

8. Crafting Compelling Copy: The Words That Convert

your website might look great but it’s the words that really sell.

Focus on your target audience: Who are you trying to reach? What are their needs and pain points?
Write clearly and concisely: People don’t want to read a wall of text. Break it up with bullet points headings and subheadings.
Use strong calls to action: Tell them what you want them to do.

The best way to learn about writing great copy is to check out resources like Russell Brunson’s book “Copywriting Secrets.” It’s full of tips and tricks on how to write compelling copy that converts.

Beyond the Tips: The Importance of A/B Testing

You know how they say nothing is perfect on the first try? That’s true for websites too.

You can follow all the tips in the world but the only way to know for sure what works is to test different versions of your website or sales funnel.

A/B testing is like having two identical twins but with a small difference. You show one version to one group of people and another version to another group. Then you track which version performs better.

For example you might test two different headlines on your landing page to see which one gets more clicks.

Or you could test two different versions of your email subject line to see which one gets more opens.

Even small changes can make a big difference.

It’s like fine-tuning your website to make it even more effective.

Your Website: A Powerful Tool for Growth

Remember your website isn’t just a website.

It’s an essential tool for growing your small business.

So don’t be afraid to experiment learn from others and keep improving.

It’s a journey and the more you learn the more you’ll grow.