#webpresence

Many small businesses are finally starting to acknowledge the importance of establishing an online presence. But, after they decide this, the big question comes to their mind, “Where do I start?” The majority of these businesses have a limited budget, but big plans for their website. They are unable to afford the costs associated with hiring a web designer. After countless meetings and talks with the designer, they discover that they are both on separate pages. 

This is the beauty of using website builders. YOU get to create the content, YOU get to decide what style works best, and YOU get to have the job completed by a date of your choosing. However, since there are many website builders out there, it can be easy to get lost in this world of web design. This list highlights 3 of the most prominent website builders in today’s society. Which one will be the winner? The choice is up to you. 

1. Squarespace

Squarespace has a collection of templates that users can choose as well as a style editor. I personally have had the most experience using Squarespace. It’s drag and drop feature is my favorite. This adds simplicity to the your site, making it quick and efficient. I believe the Squarespace is best for those who want to set up their site and go, free from adding personal touches or experimenting with different layouts. While you can make some tweaks, you will not be overwhelmed with the many options available. This could be a great feature for some, but not for others. Those new to the field of web design will appreciate the simple and clean design templates. 

The starting price for Squarespace(Business version) is $18 a month. However, depending on the kinds of services you want, you could end up paying as much as $40. Business owners are able to list an unlimited amount of products to sell. A gift card feature is included as well as a way to tract inventory. It can sometimes be difficult to navigate, as clicking on link will lead to 3 more in various sub menus. But, with ample practice, you could be a Squarespace pro in no time. 

2. Wix

I give Wix a 10/10 on advertising. I see them promoting their product on YouTube and cable television pretty often. I would argue that its the most popular website builder purely based on the amount of people I hear talking about using it. Like Squarespace, Wix also has a drag and drop feature, making it easy to see your vision executed. One thing that sets these two apart is the customization involved. Wix is known for their great customization features. 

Wix does not allow you to change to a different template once you have picked one. So, trying out different ones can be a hassle if all information is entered prior. This is definitely one of the downsides to Wix in my opinion. I am a very indecisive person so I could see how this could cause trouble for some. But, the easy fix with this is just picking out a template before listing the products you have chosen. Wix prices range from $23 go $49 a month, which is around the average rate for other sites. Wix is a great option for those who enjoy letting their creative juices flow. 

3. Weebly

The last contender is Weebly. While Weebly is probably the lesser-known of the three, it has tons of great features. A built-in blog is provided, which strengthens your social media presence. Their customer support center is great if you have questions or need advice on creating a great site. 

Weebly does have some glitches here and there, causing their design process to be on the slower side. The drag-and-drop features were very limited. The templates were not on the same scale as far as appearance goes. Most templates were not designed with the user in mind and lacked the wow factor. With that being said, Weebly is definitely the cheapest option, with the most expensive option at $25. So, I guess you get what you pay for. Overall, Weebly is a good builder and its ease of use is their best quality. 

Which web builder do you prefer? Let me know below!

The statistic above illustrates the necessity for businesses to strengthen their online footprint. This is a very informative infographic regarding small businesses and web presences that all should read. I love that this included both e-commerce and website statistics!

1. It serves as an effective marketing technique

According to Pew Research, 8 in 10 Americans shop online. Consider this situation. A business that sells sporting gear has an advertisement in the local newspaper. However, a limited number of people read that news paper. Only residents of the town will hear about the sporting gear products, and an even lower number will actually buy the product. You put a billboard for your company is put a busy highway, but despite heavy traffic, there is still a limited number of people who will be traveling through the area. This is where we see the importance of a web presence. Putting your company and business out on the world wide web means that individuals from around the world can have access to it. While billboards can be helpful at times and word of mouth can spread rapidly, simply nothing else can compete with the internet’s ability to spread content. 

2. Accessible 24/7

Convenience is vital. It increases the chances of profit and revenue. Customers will lose interest quickly if they see that it will take great efforts to buy or find information regarding a product. Establishing a website puts the power in the customer’s hands. Customers can visit your website when it is convenient for them and are not limited to the hours of a physical store. Late night online shoppers will definitely agree with this statement. 

3. Builds a more credible company

Building a website can give off the impression that your company is more successful than it really is. It might seem deceptive at first, but it can increase profits. Having a website means that you take pride in your product, making it more likely that the customer will swipe their credit card and buy your product. Building a website opens up a big opportunity for building a relationship with the customers. It establishes trust. You are giving your business the opportunity to share why customers should trust the product or service being offered. Information, photos, and testimonies that can be found on the site strengthen this trust. 

4. Drives revenue

This is perhaps the most important point and what ultimately drives companies to developing a strong online presence. The e-commerce setup in a website can pull the customers in, making them want to purchase the product being sold. In the near future, customers will expect all companies to have a sales presence online. The opportunity for increased revenue soars as companies recognize the power of the web.

It’s official. 

Businesses need a strong online presence to compete in the marketplace.