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Why Your or Bar Restaurant Needs a Website

Smiling Male Waiter Serving Group Of Female Friends Meeting For Drinks And Food In Restaurant

Nowadays, word of mouth isn’t normally enough to keep new customers flowing into your bar or restaurant. Considering that 75% of consumers who were surveyed said they chose a restaurant to dine at based on its search results, it is paramount that you have a good, accessible website. By having a strong online presence, you are more likely to draw in new customers, whilst simultaneously ensuring that those who have visited your restaurant are likely to return. 

It builds your identity 

Having an identifiable image is an important thing to build if you want people to remember your establishment. One way you can achieve this is by mirroring the design of your website with the image of your bar or restaurant. For example, if your establishment is Mexican themed, then using fonts and themes on your site which match the style of your bar or restaurant means that site users are more likely to remember your image and brand identity.

Having a strong online identity also allows you to get creative – if there’s a certain aspect about your bar or restaurant which is unique to you then you can explain this in a section about yourself. If, for example, you use local produce in your ingredients then you can write about this, explaining why this makes your establishment different from the others around. This highlights your USP – unique selling point – and helps you to stand out from the crowd.

You can feed the customer information about your establishment 

Considering that most people lead hectic lifestyles, it is incredibly convenient if you provide all the necessary information about your business online. By ensuring your details are only a few clicks away, your phone won’t become inundated with people asking menial questions, or moving on to a competitor that does provide this information. By uploading images of your most recent food and drink menus, people are able to visually try before they buy: a site user is much more likely going to want to visit you if they’ve seen a well-written, informative menu. 

When building your website, you should also include key pieces of information such as, your address, a booking form, an email address, a telephone number, and any other specific pieces of information which you might want your customers to know. 

It’s a free way to advertise your business

Spending an extensive amount of money to advertise your business on TV or within the media is not an effective way to market your bar or restaurant. Not only is the cost extortionate, but it could also mean you lose some of the authenticity within your establishment, reducing the human element of bar or restaurant.

A better, more cost-effective way to market yourself is by linking your social media accounts to your website. Creating sites such as Instagram for your business means that you can post appetising and aesthetic images onto social media, showing your followers just how tantalising your dishes and drinks can be. 

Social media is also another great way for others to spread the word about you. By encouraging people to tag you in pictures they upload of your food and beverages, friends and family of that person are more likely to see what you have to offer. You can also use sites such as Facebook to advertise any deals or discounts that you have on offer. Whether its a 2-4-1 cocktail or discounted dessert, everyone loves a bargain; meaning more people are likely to seek out your bar or restaurant.

Posting reviews 

In the food and drink business, good reviews play a key role in drawing new customers into an establishment. Considering that BrightLocal reported that 84% of customers trust online reviews as much as recommendations from people they know, publishing your reviews is vital if you want people to trust your bar or restaurant. 

To ensure site users can see that your reviews are authentic, you could link well-known review sites such as TripAdvisor to your review page. By providing users of your site with unfiltered, unbiased views of your establishment, you are paving the way for them to become more interested in what you have to offer. 

How to start 

Starting a website completely from scratch can be complicated and time-consuming. Luckily, Go Sitebuilder is one of the best website builders in the UK for small businesses – it’s simple, hassle-free, and does all of the difficult bits for you. Their 14-day free trial ensures you have a ready to go website at your fingertips, completely free of charge. 

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How Can I Make My Website More Visually Appealing

Relaxed, female small business owner designing her website at home

Just as you wouldn’t want to go into a shop filled with clutter, or dine in a restaurant with dirty dishes and glasses littered all over the table, visitors to your site won’t want to stay for very long if your website looks visually unappealing – regardless of what you have to offer. 

Considering that the Stanford Persuasive Technology Lab has reported that 46% of site visitors state that a website’s design is the deciding factor in the credibility of the company, having a strong web design is paramount. 

However, you don’t need to be a top-notch graphic designer to create an aesthetic and visually appealing website. Nowadays there are many great website builders out there for you to use, which offer ready to go websites for a minimal fee. Go Sitebuilder is a superb website builder to use if you want to give your website the best chance and by following our simple tips, you can create a stunning, sleek website which will wow visitors and most importantly keep them on your site.

Design and colour 

Whether rebuilding your website or simply revamping your current style, it’s important to match your colour scheme with the service that you’re offering. Whilst this sounds slightly abstract, colour actually plays an important part in evoking certain feelings when people visit your site. 

Say, for example, you’re offering your yoga services online: pale, delicate colours are likely to inspire calming feelings within the site user. Or if your online business is more corporate, then it might be wise to use sleek, strong colours, demonstrating that you’re serious about providing a quality service to the user. 

Whilst it is important to have good content, this must be displayed clearly so that visitors to your site want to click onto different pages. By having a visually appealing design and colour scheme, you can capture your audience’s attention and draw them to the things you want them to see. According to 3M, we process visuals 60,000 times faster than text: a website with a clean layout will help you get your message across swiftly to the site user.  

Pictures and graphics 

The cliché ‘a picture paints a thousand words’ is a cliché for reason, and in the world of web design, it couldn’t ring truer. Considering that most people click off a website after 15 seconds, using images is a great way to capture their interest, ensuring that they want to stay on and explore the services that you offer. By using images and infographics that show what you can do for the site user, you are visually advertising your skills, rather than just describing what you do in a few sentences. 

The type of imagery that you want to use is completely your choice: you could decide to upload stock photos for a professional finish, or post your own images to add some individuality to your site. Modern technology means that you don’t even need a professional photographer to share your own pictures – most smartphones have a quality camera, meaning you can snap images that you feel might add to the overall design of your website anywhere, and at any time. For infographics, sites like Canva and Venngage offer free templates that you can personalise to your company’s services. 

Usability 

It’s key for people to be able to easily navigate their way around your website, and find all the important information that they need to know without any hassle. You can achieve this easily: make sure your headers are clear, your contact details are well labelled, your logo is strong, and you’ve written a concise but informational piece about your services. Also, any images that you upload must be well placed to compliment the visuals of your website. 

Although it seems like a lot needs to go on the homepage of your website, it is vital that your layout isn’t cluttered – according to Network for Good, a not-for-profit organisation, a website “Must be attractive, captivating, but uncluttered”. With web design, less is definitely more: not only does a clear finish add to the visuals of your website, but it also ensures that your website is easy to use, and visitors can take in everything they need to know within minutes. 

Where to start 

Don’t let designing a website daunt you: at Go Sitebuilder we offer stunning web designs, which you can easily tweak to achieve a look unique to your business. Our website builder is incredibly easy to use, as you can make changes to your website anywhere, and on any device, making it one of the best website builders within the UK. Our 14-day free trial gives you all the flexibility you need to create the perfect website for you. 

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Why I should build a website for my accounting firm

Happy African American financial advisor accountant at a meeting with a client couple

Building a website for your accounting firm can be the most effective way to showcase your services to potential clients. An accounting firm may not be the first business that comes to mind when thinking of creating an online presence. However, by setting up a website, customer numbers can increase and it is easier to show your services without setting up lengthy meetings or phone calls. In fact, 85% of people do online research before paying for services, and if your firm isn’t online, then people simply won’t find you!

There are a variety of reasons an accounting firm may want to set up a website, below are the key reasons you should consider a website for your business. 

To Show your Brand Image and Ethos

In order to attract a large customer base, you must create a website that represents your brand image and ethos. As soon as a customer visits your website they should be able to gauge the type of accounting firm you are. The client’s opinion of your business comes from a variety of elements, from the colour scheme to font they all impact how a client views your company.

Whilst it may be tempting to include every element in the website design repertoire, keeping your website professional is the most important factor. Use a website builder to create a simple, polished website that implies professional service and will help persuade customers to look further into your services. 

Increasing your Client Base 

If your accounting firm does not have a website in this increasingly online world, there is a significant client base that you are not reaching. As clients search online for accounting firms, and with many firms having established websites, the need for an online presence has never been greater. 

By creating a website, your company has a higher chance of reaching customers both at home and worldwide. A website is a gateway to allow customers who may not be able to visit your offices in person to see the services you offer. Don’t forget to make it easy to find your contact information, as then they can get in touch directly if they are interested. 

Showcasing your Services

A professional website will present your services in an accessible engaging format. By creating simple, comprehensive descriptions of what you can offer clients, there is a higher chance that they will contact you for more information on your services. 

High-quality content such as blogs, videos and case studies can also significantly increase the client’s engagement with your business. This content should be of a high standard and be related to the key values of your company. Key points to consider when creating new posts are:

  • Keep your content short and informative. By creating concise content you are more likely to engage visitors to your website and encourage them to read the whole blog and not skip ahead.
  • Include links to more information, whether this is a link in a blog to a case study or a contact link to a specialist in your team. Links motivate visitors to look further into your website, thus increasing their knowledge of your business.
  • Use visual elements such as graphs and infographics to showcase positive aspects of your accounting firm. Infographics drive engagement and are easily shareable, helping you increase your reach.

To Show your Credentials 

Potential clients visiting your website will be looking for something that shows them you are trustworthy and successful in your sector. Therefore, including any credentials you have is very important. The difference between including credentials and not can be the difference between a client choosing your company over another. 

Some credentials to include are as follows.

  • Honours or awards given to the company or personnel
  • Any mentions of the firm or members of the company in the press 
  • Links to articles written by members of the company in major publications 
  • Details of accomplishments or education of personnel
  • Information about your firm’s growth over the years 

By showing these credentials clients can connect to the people in your business and gain a level of trust with the business. 

Getting Ahead of the Competition

A successful accounting website will stand out from others in the market. Through use of effective website design and informative content, your business can get ahead of the competition. With such a crowded market ensuring that your website stands out and promotes your values is crucial. An ineffective website – or no website at all – can allow competitors to gain traction with clients that you were hoping to attract to your company.

Accounting firms need effective websites in order to increase their client base and stay relevant in this ever-changing business landscape. Websites can improve awareness of your company and bring in customers you may not have had contact with had it not been for the website. 

If you are looking to build a website for your company, then look no further than Go Sitebuilder! Our simple design means you can have a professional-looking website up and running in minutes. Try our 14-day free trial today.

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How do I build a strong photography portfolio?

Female photographer building an image gallery on her website with a laptop

Building a photography portfolio isn’t just building a website to upload all of your favourite pictures and hoping that people will engage with them. There are many different approaches to exhibiting your photos in a way that will highlight the quality of your work, and we have put together a list of top tips so that your photography website will stand out from the crowd and showcase your skill. 

Take more photos

Get out there! The more photos you take, the more experience you get shooting different subjects and in different environments, which will help you develop your skill and creativity – check out these top tips on taking more interesting photos if you’re struggling for inspiration. If you’re just starting out in the photography business, you might need to take cheap or unpaid gigs to start with. Use your friends as models, shoot events for charity or ask to be a second shooter to professional photographers – but make sure you can use the event photos for your own portfolio! One tip – don’t shortchange yourself for too long. You may think you’re inexperienced, but offering free or extremely reduced rates devalues both your work and the profession at large. 

By putting yourself out there and trying new things, it will be easier for you to create your own style, which is a crucial element in designing your portfolio.

Think about your target audience

What are you making a photography portfolio for? Is it to get a job, start your own photography business, or just to exhibit your work in one place? This is key to understanding your audience, as you want to show them images that they want to see. If you are trying to get into wedding photography, for example, you don’t want to upload your pictures of scenery or floral close-ups, no matter how beautiful they are. Upload images that your audience will want to pay you to create. 

Select your featured images

This is never going to be easy, and it might take a long time – that’s ok. In a photography portfolio, you are only as good as your worst image, so this is a crucial step to wow your audience. 

Your website builder should have an image gallery to embed onto the site, but think of your featured image gallery as a sneak peek into your work, so don’t upload hundreds of pictures. Instead, choose a handful of photos that represent you as an artist. Great photography portfolios have varied images, but they are all in one style – this is what will set you apart. Don’t make it look like you are copying loads of different artists! Keeping all your photos within your personal style creates a strong visual identity and will help your clients remember your work and decide if you are the artist they’re looking for. 

Layout

Do some research on other photography portfolio websites. A clean, simple homepage is best as it makes your photos the main attraction. Don’t crowd the page either, make sure you leave some negative space between the images so that they stand out. If you are trying to showcase your versatility, put your photos in different categories – mixing newborn photos with late-night event photography can be jarring for a viewer. 

The order you put your images may seem arbitrary, but it is a critical decision! On a basic level, you want your first and last images to be some of your best, as these are what the viewer will remember most, but ideally you want to think about the order more deeply. You can order them according to mood, composition, colour or movement, but you want them to flow and tell a story. You want your visitors to be moved by your images, as this will make sure they don’t forget your work. 

Keep it simple

This is a delicate balance. You don’t want to fill your photography website with unnecessary elements or crowd your photos with a wall of text. However, you want your viewers to have an emotional connection with your images. Include a short caption describing the photo and where it was taken for each image, but if you have a short sentence-long story behind the photo that adds to the image, post that as well.

You are not alone!

As a photographer, it’s easy to stare at your photos so long you can’t work out if they’re good or if you just have a personal connection with them. Ask for feedback as much as you can, from friends, family, professional photographers or even someone you trust in your target market. Ask them how your photos make them feel, and whether they have questions about them they want to be answered. 

Beautiful images, beautiful website

If you’re still looking for a website builder to showcase your photos, then Go Sitebuilder is a great option! With beautiful themes preloaded onto the website builder and image gallery plugins just a click away, you can have a professional photography portfolio website up and running in minutes. Try our 14-day free trial today to see how you can make your photos stand out against the competition.

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What every bar or restaurant website should have

Wide angle shot of a restaurant interior of the bar counter and shelves of alcohol behind the bar.

Having an effective website for your bar or restaurant can significantly increase your customer base by attracting new visitors to your establishment. The design and content of your website can make a real difference in how your brand is portrayed. 

Well designed websites will showcase your food and drinks to the highest standard, enticing customers with beautiful images and informative menus. This blog explores the different features which are key to creating an effective website for your bar or restaurant. 

Clear information 

Even the most stunning website design is ineffective without clear information on what you are selling. Having clear, informative content is vital in showing your customers the key aspects of your business. There is some information you should consider including:

Menus or Drinks Lists: perhaps the most important aspects to include in your website is the menu or drinks list at your bar or restaurant. If your menu changes daily, then upload a sample menu so that potential customers can see your style of food. 

Your services should be your number one selling point, therefore to include a menu on your website allows you to showcase what is unique about your establishment. Ensure the menu is in a format which is easy to download such as a PDF file and that it is high quality.  

Contact numbers and booking system: in order for more customers to visit your bar or restaurant you must have your contact options clearly displayed. 

If you run a restaurant, it may also be useful to have an online table booking system, this will save you time taking calls to book tables and is more convenient for your customers. Whichever way you get your customers to contact you, make sure there is a requirement for them to input their email. This will allow you to contact them in the future with offers or news regarding your establishment.   

Location and opening times: to ensure more customers visit your bar or restaurant you must make sure that they have the information needed to find you. When showing your location it may also be useful to include a Google map link, this is so that customers can see your location in relation to other landmarks or their location. 

Another important aspect to include is your opening times. This should be clearly shown along with location and contact numbers. Make sure you include special opening times such as holidays. 

Your Spaces: this may be more relevant for larger establishments. Providing information and photographs of different areas in your restaurant or bar is particularly relevant if these spaces can be privately rented out, such as a meeting room or room for a party. 

Enticing Images

Having visually appealing images of your restaurant/bar can be a significant factor in encouraging new customers to visit. These images should be well lit and high quality. If the images show food/drink ensure to include a caption as to the name of the dish or drink. This allows customers to visualise your menu. 

When choosing your images consider how they show your restaurant or bar. Low lighting and busy scenes can show a bustling sophisticated bar, attracting a young clientele. Whereas bright lights and saturated colours may represent a more relaxed daytime atmosphere, attracting young families.  

Social Media 

Another way many bars and restaurants show their images is through social media. Creating a platform on sites such as Instagram and Facebook can increase the knowledge of your restaurant or bar. There is also the potential to link your social media platforms to your website. Having a section on your website about your social media platforms and links to them can be an effective marketing tool. 

Key aspects to remember when making a social media profile are:

  • Images should be high quality 
  • Captions should be short and relevant
  • Hashtags and location can increase the number of people who see your posts
  • A relevant username 
  • Including a link to your website and your location in the description at the top of the page 

A Mobile Friendly Website

Designing the perfect website will not gain you many customers if your website is not mobile friendly. With 63% of Google searches happening on a mobile device, you want your website to quickly and easily display the information that they’re looking for, without being clunky or difficult to use. Go Sitebuilder is 100% optimised for mobile devices, and with this feature built-in, we can ensure your website looks good on every device. 

If you are looking to build a website for your company, then look no further than Go Sitebuilder! Our simple design means you can have a professional website up and running in minutes, so that your restaurant or bar can start attracting more customers today! Try our 14-day free trial to see what we can offer.

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How to edit the images you use for your website

How to edit the images you use for your website

The visual aspect of website design can attract or turn away visitors, therefore when creating your website it is important to choose images that create an impact and relate to your brand.  Rather than just focusing on the content of the images, however, it’s vital to make sure that you take into account other aspects, such as file type and quality to really highlight your website and make it stand out from your competitors. Here are some considerations we think are really important when ensuring your website leaves a lasting impression.

Think about the quality of your images 

The quality of your images can significantly impact the way customers view your website and your brand. High-quality images imply a professional service and instil more trust in your brand for customers than images of low quality. The best ways to achieve high-quality images is either by taking them yourself (see our article on How to Take Great Product Photos) or by using stock images to ensure the quality is high. 

Know the type of file you need to use

When adding images to your website it is important to know the type of file you need to use. Generally, this is a choice between a PNG file and a JPG/JPEG file. A PNG file is a larger file, which creates higher quality images than a JPG but can slow your site speed down if used too often. A JPG file, however, is used more frequently as the file size is smaller; the only compromise is that its image quality is slightly lessened. 

Think about composition  

A good website will have images which engage the visitor and mean something to the brand or subject matter. Therefore the composition (how the image is ‘staged’ and shown to the viewer) should be taken into account when selecting your final images. A simple crop can change the focus of an image and make it more relevant when building your website. The built-in image editor on Go Sitebuilder is a perfect addition when cropping your images as you can visualise how small changes can impact how the image is shown on your website.

What about colours, filters and stickers?

Depending on your brand image, aspects such as colours, filters and stickers can portray the personality of your brand. For example, a travel website may benefit from brightly coloured images to show locations in the best light. Whereas a beauty website may have more use for filters.

If you are looking to build a website for your company, then look no further than Go Sitebuilder! Our simple design means you can have a professional-looking website up and running in minutes, and we even have an image editor built into our website editor. Try our 14-day free trial today!

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Top tips to attract new members to your sports club

Group of three females sitting on steps outside and relaxing after running in their sports club

If you have a sports club whose members are dwindling, you want to reach out and flex your marketing muscles to get more members! Finding new people isn’t as difficult as it sounds, you just have to consider your potential new members; what do they want and where will they be looking?

Many people new to an area will turn to the internet to find out what fun things are going on. If your sports club has a good online presence, then your club will be the one that stands out, and you will reap the reward of new talent! We’ve put together some top tips to help you attract new members to your club. 

Be online

Your club may have survived over a decade without a website, relying solely on community spirit and word of mouth, but as we move further into the digital age, a website is a necessary component to any sports club. The majority of potential new members will research online to see if there are any clubs that they would like to join, comparing and contrasting to find which one will suit them best. If your club doesn’t even have a website, you will lose out at the first hurdle!

What do they want to know?

So, you’ve got a website, but what do you put on it? There’s no complex strategy here, just be simple and transparent. The first time a visitor enters your site, they want to know the basics: Product, Place, Price, and Process. What does membership get them, and how many times do you train a week? Where is the training ground? How much does it cost per month, and what are the steps involved to becoming a member? 

By making this information easily accessible, you will have given a visitor all the information they need to be able to join your team! If they still have questions or are unsure of how your sports club works, then it reduces the chances significantly of them clicking the “join” button. 

Social media

Social media is a great way to build a community around your sports club, as well as a useful tool to link people back to your website. Join relevant groups in your area to help build your club’s recognition in the area, or post regular updates on your Facebook page for upcoming games or training. 

You can drive social media engagement further by using photos and videos, as well as adding relevant hashtags to get more new eyes on your posts!

Email subscriptions

If you already have a website, then you should set up email subscriptions – this is for your fans to follow your team closely and stay up to date with new matches, results and general news. This is an invaluable tool! Write in your newsletter that you are looking for new members, and your fans – who are already invested in your team – will put the effort in to ask their friends and family, or even join up themselves.

Get involved with the community. 

Getting the community involved will help publicise your team, get the word out that you’re looking for new members and help you gain a positive reputation! There are various ways to do this. Organise a barbeque or a friendly field day – something that everybody can get involved in – and bring your team to help out. Give a quick speech about the importance of being active, and invite new people to join to help them reach fitness goals or just to expand their social circle. 

If you’ve got a website and an active social media presence, it should be easy to drum up some support for these kinds of events. 

Word of mouth

We may be living in a world where a digital presence is crucial, but that’s not to say that word of mouth isn’t an important element of marketing. People are much more likely to trust recommendations from their friends and acquaintances.

Use the team members that you already have, and organise a buddy night, where each of your existing members brings a friend to practice one night. Make sure it’s a fun night, but also add in the standard training and drills you do every week, so that the newcomers can see what it would be like if they were to join. Post pictures of this on your website and social media and share them with everybody who came, so they can easily show others how much fun they had!

For a sports club, a mixture of digital and community-based marketing is a great strategy to reach as wide an audience as possible. If you want more ideas, then check out our article on how to create a great website for your sports club. 

If you’re looking to build a website for your sports club, then Go Sitebuilder is an excellent option. If you’re new to websites, then our platform is perfect for you; just click the style you want and upload your content and you’re ready to go. Try out their 14-day free trial and start attracting new members to your club today!

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What is blogging and how can I start my own blog?

Female food blogger vlogging her latest recipe

Many successful websites will run a blog alongside their main site to generate more interest and share their ideas. Creating a blog section to your website can be an effective way to gain customers by building up a rapport with visitors on your website. Blogging can also be a good way to communicate news surrounding your business such as awards or new products.   

What is blogging?

Blogging is a regularly updated web page with articles or posts which are written in a more informal and conversational style to conventional websites. Blog posts written are often related to the website or firm, but may not hold key information surrounding the business. Instead, blogs are intended to convey news or advice which may interest the visitor. 

The nature of blogging is to create short posts which will engage the reader straight away. Creating a blog allows you to pitch your services or products in a more informal manner. There is more scope for creative content such as interviews, photographs and videos, allowing you to show your company in a different light to your traditional website. 

How can I start my own blog?

Starting your own blog is simple. All you need to start your own blog is either a website where you add a page for blog posts or you can start a whole new website dedicated to blogging and link to it on your main page. Most websites opt for a page on their established website which is dedicated to blogging, as this allows visitors to easily find your products or services if they find your blog page first. 

There are a few aspects to consider when setting up a new blog:

Who is writing/creating the content?

One key consideration when creating a new blog is who is going to be posting onto the webpage. This could include anything from who uploads and edits the content to the authors themselves. 

If you are a small business the likelihood is that you will be running the website and therefore the blog page. In this situation it can be difficult to post many times a week, therefore, keeping realistic expectations and timetables for postings is important so as not to get overwhelmed. 

However, if you are a larger firm you may be able to employ someone to run your blog full time. This will allow you to put out a large number of posts per week and gain more momentum with your blog. This will increase the number of visitors and hopefully result in new customers. 

What type of content are you going to have?

The type of content you have depends on the timescale you have to create the content and the type of firm you are. If time is not an issue, blog posts that include elements such as videos or infographics can be very effective. However, written blog posts will still be effective in communicating news or information. 

Some different types of content to consider are:

  • Written blog posts 
  • Photo journals 
  • Video content 
  • Interviews – this could be in a video format or a written article 
  • Infographics – these are often used to show statistics or information visually 

How long will your blog posts be?

Again this can be dependent on the type and size of the company you are blogging for, but generally, posts should be relatively short and engaging. If you have time, longer posts are also a good alternative because it allows you to create a more comprehensive article, giving it a competitive edge over other blogs that are covering similar subjects.

How many times a week are you going to post?

An effective blog will be updated regularly, with news and information. Uploading blog posts consistently is important in order to keep your blog relevant. It is better to post once a week every week, than to post four in one week then not post again for six months.  

Where are you going to promote your new blog?

Often the best way to promote blogs is to use social media and your existing website. Posts on platforms such as Instagram and Facebook promoting certain blog posts can be effective in engaging with visitors to these platforms and getting them to visit your website. The promotion can range from including a link in your bio to a photograph post which links them to the blog relating to that photograph. 

Ready to start your blog? If you are looking to build a website or blog for your company, then look no further than Go Sitebuilder! Our simple design means you can have a professional website up and running in minutes, and our blog editor will make starting up your own blog as hassle-free as possible. Try our 14-day free trial today!

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How to start a small independent online store

Online store owner writing an address on a package

The number of small independent stores creating an online presence is ever increasing. With a wide range of potential customers to reach and easy cost-effective ways to reach them, there has never been a better time to start an online store.

Although the thought of starting an online store may be daunting for some, the benefits for your business are worth the time. Whether you are selling arts and crafts or high-end trainers, an online store can help you promote your products, increase brand awareness and establish a loyal customer base. Online stores can also help in building customer profiles and creating a rapport, through emails and offers tailored to them. If you want to build a successful online store then read on!

Choose your Product or Speciality

You may already have an idea of the type of product you want to sell, or maybe you know exactly what your company specialises in. Either way, deciding on your product or speciality is a vital step in creating your online store. When deciding on your product is it important to think through the following points:

Supply chain – will this product be something you make yourself (and if so where will the materials come from?) Or are you selling something on from somewhere else? 

Price – the price of your products is central to how successful your product may be. The best way to scope out price is to take part in some market research, look up similar products and their prices. Alternatively ask people who you feel may use your product how much they would be prepared to spend.

Know your audience – it is key to know your target market. Does your product appeal to teenagers or avid sports fans? It is important to know who you need to market your product at so as to achieve the most sales. 

Gaps in the Market – with such high numbers of online stores selling an incredible range of products, how will you make your product stand out? Additionally, even if you can make your product stand out, is there a demand for it? There is little point investing time, energy and money into something which has no potential to develop a strong customer base.

Creating a Platform to Sell your Product

Once you have decided on what you are selling, it is now time to think about how you will sell it. The best way to do this is to create a website where customers can browse the range of products. It is also crucial for your website to have ecommerce features such as a shopping cart, pages for customers to view products and a method of securing payments. Many website builders will provide this if coding is not your speciality! 

When creating your website it is also important to think about how your website portrays your brand image and the products you are selling. Aspects such as photographs, colours, fonts, layout and logo can all have an impact on whether customers return to your website or continue browsing once they find the site. 

Think about how your Products are Displayed

In order to get the most out of your website, it is important to market your products correctly. Key aspects to consider are: 

Photographs – these should be clear, high-resolution pictures that clearly display your product from multiple angles. They should be bright images that are well composed in order to attract customers’ attention.

Product Description – having an accurate product description will help you promote your product and avoid any customer confusion. Consider including key specifications such as size and material of the product.

Policies – what is your returns policy? Ensure that you are clear with each product what the returns policy is and state the policy with every item.

Creating an Effective Marketing Strategy

Marketing can help improve how many visitors see your website and therefore how many products you sell. There are a few methods which your business can use to increase brand awareness and product sales. 

The first is utilising social media. By creating pages on sites such as Facebook and Instagram, you increase the range of people you can reach and communicate with. There are also features on these sites which allows you to link products to photos, creating an easy way for customers to find your products. 

Another way to increase brand awareness is to use Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) tools, which boost your product up the ranks in Google search results. Many website builders have this feature as part of their package to help you boost sales easily. 

These steps can help you build a successful online store with a wide customer base and high visitor numbers. 

If you are looking to build a website for your company, then look no further than Go Sitebuilder! Our simple design means you can have a professional-looking website up and running in minutes, and eCommerce features are included as standard. Try our 14-day free trial today.

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Why is it Important For a Beautician to Have a Website in the UK?

Woman using mobile phone in beauty salon receiving a manicure by a beautician.

As a beautician, your client list is potentially endless. The analytics firm GlobalData has revealed that the health and beauty sector will be worth £26.7bn by 2022, and it is predicted to be the fastest-growing sector in the upcoming years. That means more clients, but also more competition on the market.

Whilst hairdressing and beauty salons could once rely on word of mouth to grow their customer base, the internet has now become a tool to draw in new clients. It is therefore important that you brush up on your tech skills so that your business can excel, both online and in person.

Have a well-designed website

A well-designed, easily navigable website is of paramount importance if you want to grow your beauty business. Having an appealing, aesthetic web design gives off the impression to users that your business is professional and of high quality – somewhere where they would want to go for their treatment.

Uploading high-quality photos of your work onto your website is also key: by showcasing what skills you have to offer, a client is much more likely to trust you to take care of their beauty qualms. You can even put these images into a gallery, enabling the site user to browse a selection of the different looks that you can create. 

As mentioned previously, word of mouth is no longer a reliable option if you want to expand your client list. In the digital world, reviews left by customers can be the deciding factor for those considering your services. By publishing the best reviews on your website, you can show visitors to your site that you have a great customer track record.

Write blogs 

This seems slightly odd – after all, you’re a beautician, not a writer. However, many famous beauticians grew their beauty empire from the once humble blog: influencers such as PixiWoo and Fleur de Force started up posting online content offering advice on different beauty products, and then were gradually able to expand and grow their business to an international scale. 

Of course, you may not get to be a worldwide brand by posting a few blog posts once a week, but it is a good way to attract new customers onto your site, thus increasing awareness around your business. For example, if a person googles a certain beauty query, and your blog offers the answer, then you give off the impression that you are knowledgeable in the field, and thus can be trusted.

Blogs are also an important tool to up your SEO – search engine optimisation. By using keywords that rank highly in Google search engines when writing your blog, you are more likely to rank higher on the search engine, and thus become more visible to those who are seeking out a beautician.

Social media 

Social media is a more personal way to market your business. By linking your social media to your website, you are creating a direct link between your different online profiles. Perhaps you choose to create a Pinterest account, uploading photos of high-quality content to showcase what you have to offer.

Another fantastic way to upload images is Instagram: it is incredibly popular, reaching 1 billion monthly users in 2018. Not only does this allow you to display your expertise in the beauty industry, but it also allows you to market any deals or discounts that you may want to offer. Everyone loves a bargain, so this is a fantastic way to reel in new clients, as if they like your treatment then they are likely to come back. 

You could decide to upload makeup tutorials or beauty tips onto Youtube, linking your Youtube account to your website. Whilst you shouldn’t rely on Youtube alone to market your skills, it’s still a great way to advertise yourself, completely free of charge and can be a great way to direct your fans back to your website.

Freedom

If you don’t want to be tied down to a salon, and want the freedom to control your own business, then working for yourself as a freelancer is a perfect solution, as you have complete flexibility over the clients you want to take.

Being your own boss is also great if you are new to the industry – you can carry on your day job, and work out of hours to test the waters, easing you into the beauty sector instead of plunging you in headfirst.

However, the issue with working for yourself is that you start from scratch. Unless you have already grown a reputation amongst the community via working at a beauty salon, it could be tricky getting in clients who have no idea what you can offer. This is why building a website is paramount – by improving your online presence, you are sure to bring in more customers. 

How do I build a website?

Nowadays, you don’t need to be a coding genius to build a great website. Go Sitebuilder is one of the best website builders in the UK: we have extensive knowledge in the area, ensuring that you can build your website stress-free. We offer all of the aforementioned and more – why not see for yourself, with our 14-day free trial.