How to Build a Website for Your Business
Every business operating today must have a website. Even if your site just gives basic information about your enterprise your customers will expect that you have a presence on the web. Today building a website is child’s play. With a plethora of website building applications available you can choose the system that best suits the kind of website you want to build.
Off-the-shelf
With the rise of e-commerce over the last few years, many suppliers have developed website building applications that act just like any other desktop software you may have installed on your computer. The beauty of these applications is that they offer a fast and effective means of building a website for your business if you lack the technical skills that website design demands. Using templates for page layout means all you need to do is cut and paste your business’s content into the placeholders. Some of best off-the-shelf web design applications are listed below:- Actinic Catalog
- EROL
- ShopFactory
There are a number of advantages when using this kind of website creation software that include:
- Template-driven page designs
- Integrated payment systems
- Upgrade and expand your website at anytime
There are a number of disadvantages when using this kind of website creation software that include:
- Lack of design flexibility
- Upgrade cost of new software
- Steep learning curve
Online Construction
Many businesses don’t want to invest in desktop software to help them build and manage their website’s construction. The good news is that today all you need to build a basic online shop is your favourite Internet browser. Many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) now offer online website creation services. You simply use the step-by-step guides to design your website that is automatically generated and hosted by your ISP. Some of the best hosted website building applications are listed below:- MonsterCommerce
- 1&1 eShop
- iShop
- eBay Express
There are a number of advantages when using this kind of website creation software that include:
- Very low set-up costs
- Fast site creation
- Instant availability of new features
There are a number of disadvantages when using this kind of website creation software that include:
- Lack of design flexibility
- Dependency on a single ISP to host your website
- Limited design options
Bespoke Web Design
If you have an original design in mind for your business’s website, or want to have complete control over every component on your site, using professional hand coding software is your only option. If you or a member of your staff have the skills, installing a copy of Dreamweaver is all you need to build a professional website from scratch.E-Commerce
As the online store has become increasingly popular many applications have become available that enable a business to quickly build an e-commerce enabled website. If you want a fast means of getting a commercial website online for your business consider the applications below:- BT eShop
- Ekmpowershop
- Lynx Internet Solutions
- RomanCart
- ShopCreator
- Actinic Express
As you can see your choice of software applications is vast when it comes to building a website for your business. The type of website you want to build and the skills you have available within your business will determine which type application is right for your enterprise. Most of the applications above are available on 30-day trials so take advantage of this chance to try before you buy. It’s important to remember that your website is your enterprise’s calling card. You should strive to design the best website you can. In the eyes of your customers a shoddy website will mean a shoddy business.
