In 2024 it’s never been more important to have a website up and running for your business.
But while it’s certainly never been easier to make a website, you now have almost unlimited options to choose from.
While this may sound like a good thing, it can be overwhelming if you’re not particularly interested in the technical side of things.
Luckily, we’re here to help you choose the best website platform for your business. Read on!
How A Website Really Works
The anatomy of a website is quite simple when you’re looking at the “Front End” – the part you see when visit most sites.
But the parts that actually keep that site up and running are quite technical, especially if you’re thinking about making your own site.
Thankfully, there are a ton of platforms that can combine all of the necessities into a single, functioning website for you. Each platform has different strengths and weaknesses, so we’ve listed them all out for you below.
But first, it would behoove you to know exactly what a website consists of:
A CMS:
This stands for “content management system.” In this day and age, the vast majority of websites will use a trusted provider, also known as a CMS. These providers give you the basics of a website to start and the tools to customise it to your heart’s content.
Hosting:
Think of this like real estate but for the internet. Your website needs to “rent” a piece of digital land – just like your office or shop in real life – in order to be visible to audiences.
You pay a flat fee every month to a hosting service so that your website always owns a piece of the internet and is thus viewable by potential customers.
Content:
Copywriting, images, webpages, videos, services and your products: these are the heart of your website! Your website will need to display all of these to entice your customers and give them an idea of your business.
Lastly – Web Forms, Contact Pages, Checkout & Purchase Functions
Your website will need to have a singular goal: to sell! Whether you’re selling products online or generating leads from inquiries, your website will need to be able to handle the selling part for you.
WordPress
WordPress is the go-to choice if you’re not sure what you need. This platform is the largest provider of websites by far: it currently powers 42% of the internet’s total websites.
If you are a leads-based or service-based business, then WordPress is the best choice for you.
It handles your hosting, content, and CMS. Its biggest strength is that you can add “Plug-Ins” to your website, which are convenient apps that add features WordPress itself may not offer, such as E-commerce or web forms, as well as cyber security measures.
Shopify
Shopify was the next big thing a few years ago and has really bloomed into it’s own powerhouse in 2024. It has exploded in popularity because it does two things exceptionally well:
- Shopify comes with built-in E-commerce functionality. You can start selling products straight away, without fiddling with technical details
- It is extremely easy to set up a one-page online shop
Shopify features a sleek, modern-looking design that plenty of web designers are happy to upgrade for you, too.
Shopify is your best bet for selling products online if you’re an E-commerce business.
But…Do You Even Need A Website?
If you’re a sole trader, consider the fact that you might not even need a website for now. Some business owners can mistakenly think that building a website will result in a flood of new clients as soon as it’s ready.
In reality, a website takes significant time, effort, and capital to set up. The job is never really “finished” as you’ll always want to keep improving it.
If you focus mainly on scoring clients or customers one at a time, such as a freelancer or consultant, then consider just using a LinkedIn profile. This will save you set-up expenses, plus LinkedIn will let you network far more easily. The professional social media platform will also allow you to conveniently display your past skills and experience.
And you won’t have to pay for marketing!
So Now Your Website Is Built, Let’s Start Building Your Finances
If you’re ready to invest in a new website, you’ll want to ensure every dollar you spend on it counts.
At The A Firm, our accountants and bookkeepers make certain that you’re finances stay under control so that you can continue to grow your business.
Call us today for our last-minute EOFY tax returns!