A small business not having an online presence is like having a car with a flat tyre - it can still perform all the necessary functions, but it might not get you very far. There can be a lot of different ways to build an online presence as well - the cafe that I’m sitting in right now does the hard yards on social media (thanks, Crumb Grey Lynn, I don’t know where I’d be without you and your iced oat milk lattes). However, today, we’re talking about websites - the good, the bad, the ugly, and the essentials of what you’ll need to get yourself set up (mainly that last part). 

Let's Help you Get Started on What Information should be on your Website:

• A Homepage

The home page is the foyer of the website - welcome your visitors in with a, may I take your coat, madame? Would you like a cup of tea? A glass of wine, peut-être? The key is simple, effective, and easy to navigate. It should also include a clear and concise description of who you are as a business, what services you provide or what products you offer. (We also recommend the footer of the website have your businesses' contact details too, so that people can easily get in touch - because that always helps!). 

• An About Us page

An About Us page is an excellent way to introduce your business in detail. It can include the story of why you started this business, your mission statement and who you and your staff are. Sharing your unique story will allow you to create a personal, authentic brand and connect with your consumer - here, you can hone your tone of voice and brand identity, and even jazz it up with a few pictures.

• FAQ (Frequently asked questions) Page

This page should include answers to the frequently asked questions that your business receives (hence the name). If your business doesn’t really get many questions, why not make some up? We won’t tell anyone. You can use this as an opportunity to persuade users of why your company is just the best, or you know, provide shipping information and what have you. Some examples of FAQ’s might be:

• What are your average shipping times and costs? 
• What are your opening hours? 
• What is your returns policy? 
  
  
  
• Products and Services Page

Outline the key information about your company's products or services. This page should be linked from your homepage and navigation. It's good to divide your products or services into categories, and describe their benefits, uses, or key product descriptions. Here you want to explain how your business is different from the rest of the competition in the market too.

• Testimonials

This is a page to have the customer reviews - this is a great way to develop ‘social proof’, or evidence that your brand is trusted by the wider public. You can include this either at the bottom of your homepage or keep a separate page for this. Testimonials are an effective way to showcase your success from a customer's perspective. Encouraging reviews with images adds another level of sincerity to these posts too. Doing this will increase trust and credibility.

•  Contact Us Page

A contact us page must outline information such as the phone number, address of the office, embedded google map, and additional links to the social media accounts. Additionally, a small business can also include a contact form for users or potential consumers to fill out. This form entails users filling out their generic details such as first name, last name, email address, phone number, and the message they want to send the business. If you have a newsletter you’d like them to subscribe to, this is a great page for this form too. 

Let Firefly Help 

Your business has great potential, but doing it all on your own can be tough. The Firefly family can make this process simple and easy for you. Our digital marketing company is growth-focused, and we are driven to help you reach your business goals. Firefly can help you make a positive mark online!