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Creating a New Website for Your Business

It can feel like a monumental task to create a new (or first) website for your business. But this learning journey will walk you through everything you to know so you can build with confidence.

Creating a new or first website for your business can seem like a daunting task. There’s a lot that you have to do in order to make sure you do it right and set your website up for success.

First, you need to figure out if you need a new website. Then you need to think about what the website is going to do and how it’s going to help your business. Next, you need to figure out if you’re going to try to build it yourself or hire a web developer — and if so, you need to find a web developer.

There’s also the process of actually building the site, from design and development to creating the content needed for the website. Finally there’s the launch of the website and post-launch website care.

This learning section will walk you through the entire process so that you can know what you’re getting yourself into. There are posts, videos and free resources that will help guide you through this journey so that you can build your new website with confidence.

Why Businesses Need to Have a Website

Why Businesses Need to Have a Website

You probably have a Facebook page for your small business, and you might have a small Etsy store to sell online. Those are good enough on their own to help your business grow online, right? The answer, unfortunately, is no. You need to have your own dedicated website for your business. A website isn’t just…

Watch This Video: Why Businesses Need to Have a Website
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Determining if your small business needs a new website

It can be challenging to figure out if your small business needs a new website. And it’s no small decision. So here are some questions to help you out.

Read This Post: Determining if your small business needs a new website
Screenshot of the "Does your business need a new website" worksheet

“Does your business need a new website?” Worksheet

So you’re in the market for a new website for your small business? Great! Have you decided whether or not your website needs a new website? No? That’s okay. This resource will walk you through the questions you should ask of yourself and your business to determine if a new website is warranted. It could…

Download This Resource: “Does your business need a new website?” Worksheet
PDF of the nine steps to create a new website

9 Steps to Create a New Website

Trying to create a new website but don’t know where to start? This PDF shows you the steps you need to take to build that new site.

Download This Resource: 9 Steps to Create a New Website
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The ultimate guide for creating an affordable website for your business

Your business needs to build a website. But it can seem like creating a new website is an expensive venture. The good news is that there is a way for you to create an affordable website for your business.

Read This Post: The ultimate guide for creating an affordable website for your business
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Planning for your new small business website

If you don’t create a plan for your small business’ new website, you’re setting yourself up for failure. So let’s walk through how you can create a plan to set yourself and your business up for success.

Read This Post: Planning for your new small business website
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More questions to ask before build a new website for your small business

Not planning means you’re planning to fail. So when you’re planning a new website for your small business, you should be asking yourself these questions at the least.

Read This Post: More questions to ask before build a new website for your small business
Why Websites Cost So Much (and how to lower that cost)

Why Websites Cost So Much (and how to lower that cost)

One reason you might be hesitant to create a new website for your business is the cost of a website. Yes, creating a custom website is expensive. The going rate these days seems to be around $5,000. But that price is for a custom website. There are good reasons for that price, and there are…

Watch This Video: Why Websites Cost So Much (and how to lower that cost)
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The different website options to build your new site

The good news is that there are a lot of website options for you to choose from to build your new site. But which one is the best for your business and situation?

Read This Post: The different website options to build your new site
Self-Development vs. Hiring a Developer

Self-Development vs. Hiring a Developer

So by now you’re probably wondering why you can’t build the website yourself. The answer to that is complicated. In some situations, yeah, that would work for you. But in most other situations, it is better to hire a developer to build it for you because it saves you time and money in the long…

Watch This Video: Self-Development vs. Hiring a Developer
Should you build the website yourself? Guide

Should you build the website yourself?

You’re probably tempted to see if you can just build the website yourself to save you money. And in some cases, that might be a good idea. But if you’re not good web design and the related tools, if you don’t have the time or if you want something complicated, it’s probably best to bring…

Download This Resource: Should you build the website yourself?
Where to find a web agency or developer

Where to find a web agency or developer

So you’ve decided that your business needs a new website and you’ve decided that you’re going to hire someone else to build it. Great! But where are you going to find a web agency or developer to create that new website for you? Where do you even begin? Today let’s go through some of your…

Watch This Video: Where to find a web agency or developer
What is the Discovery Phase?

What is the Discovery Phase?

In the simplest of terms, the discovery phase is where the developer learns more about you and your business and what you want and need for this website. By the end of the process, the developer will be able to create a plan to design and build the website that’s going to help your business.…

Watch This Video: What is the Discovery Phase?
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What you can do to make the website build process run smoothly

You might be building your website now with a developer, and you might be wondering how you can keep things running smoothly. That’s great! Here are somethings you can do to help the project run on time.

Read This Post: What you can do to make the website build process run smoothly
The Design Phase

The Design Phase

Once the discovery phase has ended, it’s time for the designer to, you know, design the website. This is typically a fairly hands off part of the process for you. So today, let’s talk about a few things you need to ask the designs and the designer so that you end up with the best…

Watch This Video: The Design Phase
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The dilemma of content for a new website

A website is nothing if it doesn’t have any content. So make sure you keep that the focus throughout the project to keep it running on time.

Read This Post: The dilemma of content for a new website
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What to check for when looking over the website

So your website is just about ready to go live. You like the design, it’s been developed and the content is in. So what’s next? Check the design again.

Read This Post: What to check for when looking over the website
Taking the Website Live

Taking the Website Live

The website is basically done. The developer just sent you a link so you can see the final website in all of its glory. So now what do you do? Well, you should review it one last time to make sure it’s what you want and need. And then it’s time to take it live.

Watch This Video: Taking the Website Live
Post Launch Support

Post Launch Support

Congratulations! You’ve finished this website and it’s live for everyone to see. So now you’re forever done with that website, right? Wrong. Websites are living and breathing things. You need to take care of them so they can continue to help your business grow. So today let’s go over the ways you can support your…

Watch This Video: Post Launch Support