Small Business Web Design

Home » Internet » Small Business Web Design

Tips & Advice to help you make your decision on Small Business Web Design

Many small businesses rely on their websites to market their products while giving enhanced services their customers. The type of website tools that you use will likely depend on the kind of small business that you own.

Business.com can help you learn more about the small business web design that could help your business reach its goals. When you take time to visit the websites that have been posted on the left, you should find that you can make more informed choices about the website options that will work well for your business.

Small business web design could include a variety of features, including shopping carts, catalogues, detailed graphics, and communication tools. If, for instance, you own an online store that sells used books, then you might want a website that makes it easy for customers to browse the books that you have in stock, place the ones that they want in a shopping cart, and pay for their purchase with a check, credit card, or other type of payment.

Some small businesses need to use graphics that allow potential clients to learn more about the services and products that they offer. Recognize, however, that detailed graphics can take longer to load on a customer's screen.

Finding and Selecting a Web Site Designer

You want to establish a professional Web presence that reflects the value of your products and services – and you have less than eight seconds to impress Web surfers. It's time to call in a Web designer, someone who can design a credible Web site with all the right elements for your industry.

You'll need a three-pronged approach to finding and selecting a Web designer:

Assess your needs. Understand the role of your site, budget and audience. Do you need e-commerce to sell products or just an online brochure?
Browse the Web for designs you like. Scan directories, and look at sites in your industry.
Get quotes from three designers and evaluate proposals. Ask for itemized costs, so you can compare apples to apples.

Quickly find Web designers in your state and city

Online directories list Web design companies as well as freelancers.
Try: Xemion Designer Directory helps small businesses find the right designer with convenient state-by-state listings. If you click on your state, you will also see designers listed by specific cities. Xemion also has helpful information on how to select a professional Web designer, steps to hiring a designer and what to look for in a Web design company.

Consider off-shore sourcing

Designers outside the U.S. typically charge lower rates. If you're on a shoestring budget, and comfortable with e-mail communication, this might be an option.
Try: Guru.com is a large online marketplace of freelance talent, directly connecting businesses to more than 500,000 freelancers, including Web designers. Businesses can pay through SafePay Escrow, a process that guarantees satisfaction. Try Getafreelancer.com to find designers in different countries.

Search by niche or category

Some directories let you search for designers with certain attributes, such as nonprofit or women-owned.
Try: Find them at WebDesignPlaza.com. You can easily request a free design quote at the site.

Once you find a Web site you like, look for the designer's name at the bottom of the page.
Examine a designer's portfolio for sites made for companies similar to yours – in size, industry, products or services. Look for innovative Web solutions and diversity in design.
Most Web users will access your site via modems, not leased lines. Color graphics take longer to load than text and use up the most computer storage space. Don't lose a potential client with a slow Web site bogged down by a colorful logo or employee photos.