If you are a small business that can’t afford to hire a professional web design firm, we have good news. You can get a website launched on your own. Read on for some do it yourself web design tips.
Do It Yourself Web Design Introduction
Small businesses don’t have the luxury of supporting a full-sized web design team, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need an awesome website. Fortunately, modern technology makes it easy for small business owners to create stunning websites that show off their brand without any existing technical knowledge or coding experience. With the right tools, you can easily create a beautiful do it yourself website to show off your small business!
In this article, we will show you how to complete your small business web design project.
If you need help, contact Clio Websites. We can assist you no matter where you are in your journey.
Create Your Brand
Having your branding developed is the first step in creating a perfect do it yourself website. If you’re not sure where to start, stick with the basics: deciding on a color scheme and a logo. Finding a good color scheme is important to ensure that your business looks appropriate for the industry. Look at the color schemes of other businesses in your niche and see what you can learn.
Having a great logo has never been easier. With helpful tools like Canva, you can create the perfect logo in no time. Their easy to use templates can make anyone a master of design with no experience needed. Simply choose a good template, add the necessary information, and incorporate your brand colors. You can also hire someone on Fiverr to create a great logo for your business.
Find A Good Website Builder for your Do It Yourself Web Design Project
After you have settled on your branding preferences, it is time to actually build your website. Website builders are tools designed specifically to help people with no coding experience create websites. Instead of forcing you to use code, you can simply choose a theme or, in some cases, widgets to easily build your website. Everything is already coded, so all you have to do is choose a good layout and then add your content. It’s easy and anyone can make a beautiful web design in no time.
Every website builder has something different to offer. While some focus on keeping design easy or open to different styles, others are more limited and dedicated to creating very nice basic websites. Some builders have more features than others, which is why it is important to look around and determine which one has the right features that suit your needs. Some people prefer simple websites while others need something a little more technical. Fortunately, there are plenty of options to choose from.
Here are some popular website builders that you can try:
- WordPress.com
- Squarespace
- Wix
- Weebly
WordPress
At Clio, we love WordPress and use it for a lot of projects. It enables businesses to get started quickly and launch a website in no time but it’s unfair to call it a web builder since it offers so much more functionality.
There are a lot of benefits of using WordPress for your do it yourself small business website. The WordPress platform is flexible, expandable, and has lots of online learning resources. It offers lots of functionality such as e-commerce, blogging, as well as complex forms and applications.
One of the drawbacks of WordPress is that it can get complex and overwhelming. If you get stuck and need help, you can check out our maintenance plans, or contact us.
Squarespace
Squarespace is another popular web builder that offers a ton of resources and themes to choose from. It’s easy to get started and this platform also offers e-commerce features. The drawback of using Squarespace is being restricted by a lack of functionality and the inability to customize the website.
Wix
Wix offers over 500 templates to help you create your first website. It’s easy to use and you can get a website launched in no time. Some of the restrictions and drawbacks include:
- Not having the flexibility to customize your website
- Inability to grow beyond a simple / informational website
Weebly
Weebly offers the flexibility to get started quickly and also integrate e-commerce functionality. Similar to the other platforms mentioned above, this platform will restrict your growth and ability to customize as you grow.
Browse Available Themes
Themes are what makes website builders really pop. In the website building world, a theme is a custom website layout that has already been created for you by a professional. This is what gives you the ability to have a beautiful and professional looking website without actually hiring a design team to build one for you.
Website themes come in all shapes and sizes, making it fairly easy for you to find one that you like. Different styles can help you organize information better, show off a portfolio, or even give you the ability to run a blog for SEO purposes. They make it easy for you to begin filling your website with great content immediately. In most cases, you can change your theme at any point if you find a new one that matches your tastes better.
Add Good Images and Content to Your Do It Yourself Web Design
When designing your do it yourself website, it’s important to create great content. Once you’ve finished choosing a theme and modifying the sections to suit your needs, it is time to get to work and start filling it with content. Even the most professional template won’t help you if you don’t have good content.
In order to choose the right images and web content, you will need to define your brand identity. This will be focused on how you want to present your business. You might want to come off as fun, professional, family-friendly, or relatable. Decide how you want your audience to see you and choose pictures and written content that match. If you’re not sure where to start, the internet is full of resources on how to find free images, write good content, or even create fun marketing materials.
Do It Yourself Web Design for Small Businesses Conclusion
Small businesses might be small, but they still need to have great websites. Take some time to research and find what materials and tools are available to help you show off your brand in style. Your customers will love seeing a website presented professionally that you took the time to design.
If you are looking for something more unique that will lead to better results and conversion, contact a marketing agency to learn what we can do for you!
Why Clio
Clio Websites is a full-service website design company in Calgary. We have vast experience in responsive website design, website maintenance, WordPress development and support, and online marketing. Clio offers free consultations and free website evaluations. We are always available and happy to answer any questions you may have, so please contact us to find out more. Check out how we help businesses in Alberta.
Clio offers interest-free payment plans and we receive glowing reviews from our clients. Here are a few things that set us apart from the competition. Clio Websites:
- Is a premier Calgary web design company with WordPress expertise
- Has years of experience helping small businesses achieve their online goals
- Has very high customer satisfaction and retention rates (over 98%)
- Spends the time to understand your business needs and requirements
- Prides ourselves on the quality of service we provide to each and every client
- Is responsive and won’t leave you hanging for days when you need support the most
- Creates custom websites for each project to separate you from your competition
