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Your guide to creating a landing page that converts

When you have your own business, an online presence is a must. And making sure yours is as good as can be doesn’t have to be complicated. With our simple tips, we’ll show you how to create a landing page that converts, so you can leave your website to do the hard work, whilst you keep doing what you do best.

What is a landing page?

A landing page is where a visitor arrives after clicking a link, usually from a search engine, social media or a marketing campaign. A landing page should turn a visitor into a potential customer, or a ‘lead’: your business offers something through its landing page and asks for something in return, often contact details. Landing pages are different to other pages of your website because their purpose is to encourage the visitor to take a specific action.

Six tips for creating a landing page that works

1. Define the purpose of the landing page and your goals
Being clear about the page’s purpose and what you want to achieve will help you get the best results. Do you want people to call or email you? Would you like to encourage sign-ups to your mailing list? Or perhaps you’re promoting a product and you’d like people to purchase via your page. Think about how many people you’d like to take action, so you’ll know when you’re near your target. This will help you determine if your landing page has been a success or if something needs to change (more on this in step six).

2. Use the right message and tone for your audience
You know your customers better than anyone. Write a message on your landing page that will appeal to them. Bear in mind the tone too: this is how your message comes across. The message and tone for an electrician looking for commercial contracts are very different from a craft business selling home décor. Keep your message short and to the point, so your visitors understand quickly what you’re offering.

Business owner planning a landing page that converts. Tone and messaging for her business

3. Create attractive layouts and design with no fuss
OK, now you know what you want to say and who you want to say it to. It’s time to design your page! Landing pages are a chance to be a little creative – after all, you want to make sure it helps you fulfil your goals. It should still look and feel like your brand, though you can play around with the layout and design to find what works for you. Text, images and buttons should be neatly spaced, and don’t forget to optimise for mobile! Luckily, Go Sitebuilder has a choice of pre-designed sections to help you. And all of our sites and landing pages automatically look great on all devices. So you can relax, knowing that wherever your potential customer is, they have a great impression of your business. 

4. Don’t forget to include a strong call to action
Your message is clear, your landing page design looks great…it’s ready to go, isn’t it? Not quite! A key part of any landing page is a powerful call to action. Your call to action is how you bring your page goals to life. While you don’t want to be patronising, it should be clear and prompt the response you’re looking for. If you’re stuck, think of it like this: a good call to action makes life easy for the visitor, like a takeaway menu with the phone number for ordering printed loud and clear, not small and hidden! Go’s library of designs, fonts and colours make your call to action stand out, so your landing page visitor will know exactly what to do next. 

5. How to improve landing page engagement 
You’ve built a fantastic landing page, and you can’t wait to share it with the world. Before you hit ‘Go!’ there are a few things you can do to boost the chances of visitors engaging with your page:

  • Videos are an effective way to communicate online. Make sure it’s not too long: around 60 seconds is a good amount of time to share information without taking up too much of people’s day.
  • Images are another way to keep people’s attention. Photographs of a product or images showing an event help people to picture what you offer, so it’s easier to understand what’s in it for them. If your business or product is a little more complicated, a diagram of how something works is useful.
  • Simplicity is key. From the design of your page to your message and even the form for capturing details – keep it simple and you’ll keep people’s attention. 

6. Finally, measure your landing page performance 
It’s important to keep an eye on how your landing page performs. Whether it’s tracking the number of leads generated or how many visitors have left without engaging, it’s all valuable information. If something isn’t working, you can make tweaks to the design, the layout and the message and see what difference it makes. On the other hand, if your page is successful, you’ll know what works for next time!

Landing pages that work – in a few simple clicks

A landing page is a powerful tool for collecting leads and turning them into customers. We hope that these tips are useful when building your own landing page. With a little thought and some clever design, landing pages are a great addition to your website and social media presence. Why not give it a go yourself? No upfront cost, no credit card required: sign up for your 14-day free trial today. Let us know once you’ve created your landing page. We’d love to hear about how you got on and the leads it generated for you!

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Step by step guide on how to install an SSL Certificate

Female in smart casual wear working on laptop while sitting near window in creative office or cafe

Although you might not know what an SSL certificate is, you probably see one every day. An SSL certificate is used to show that the site that you’re using is secure, ensuring that your credit card transactions, data transfers and logins all remain protected. You can tell if the website you’re using is securely encrypted if there is ‘https://’ in the first part of the webpage’s link, meaning you can share your details with the site safe in the knowledge that your information is properly protected. 

Having a SSL certificate is therefore of paramount importance for your online business. Not only does it show that people can trust you, but it also ranks you higher on Google’s search engine, as it tells Google that your website won’t put users at risk. 

What type of SSL certificate to get

There are multiple types of SSL certificates to choose from, and thus it is important that you choose the right certificate for you. 

– Domain Validation SSL (DV) certificates are the most basic type of SSL certificates. They are simple and easy to get – all you need to do is show the Certificate Authority (CA) that you’re the owner of the domain that was applied for. It is a quick process – the certificate can be issued only minutes after purchase, and installed shortly after. This is a fantastic option if you need to secure a personal website, blogs or small online store, as it is a quick and easy way to secure your site.

– Organisation Validation SSL (OV) certificates require slightly more graft: your company must meet several requirements to pass the test. However, once validated your website is able to show that it is fully secure as, like the DV SSL,  the green HTTPS and padlock in the address bar will show users that your site is legal and has been approved by a trusted 3rd party.

– The highest level of SSL certificate that you can have is an Extended Validation (EV) certificate or, in other words, the Green Address Bar SSL. This inspires the highest level of trust amongst your customers by triggering the globally understood green address bar. As this is recognised worldwide, anyone around the world can see that your site is very safe. Although this process takes a few days, it can be sped up by ensuring all your organisation’s records are up to date. 

Check out TechRadar’s post on Best SSL certificate services to buy from in 2020 to get the cheapest price!

How do I know what SSL certificate is right for me?

A DV SSL is the cheapest and fastest way to secure your website, as all you need to do is prove that you own the domain. The process is generally automated and doesn’t require you to fish out extra documents to verify your business, so you could be protected in just a few minutes. However, they are not as secure as other SSL certificates. Although Google won’t rank your website lower if you have a DV SSL, some visitors may not trust your site as much as if it had a more secure certificate. This is more likely to become an issue if your online business depends on ecommerce, as potential buyers may not feel comfortable inputting their payment details into a site with a DV SSL. 

An OV SSL shows not only that you own the domain, but also that you own the company that it is linked to. It may take a little longer, but it could mean that visitors to your site think that you are more legitimate and make it more likely for them to make a purchase. 

The EV SSL proves that you own the domain and the business linked to it, but also shows that you have legally registered your company as a business. This high-level SSL takes longer to get and requires more paperwork, but it is the most secure. However, it is unlikely that you need the EV SSL unless you have a large and well-established business that manages large numbers of online payments. 

Renewing your SSL certificate 

Before your SSL certificate is due to run out, you should receive an email alerting you to this. It is vital that you renew your SSL certificate before it runs out: even if you go a day without being certified, Google could push you to the bottom of the search engine. It could also block others from visiting your site. This means that all the hard work that you’ve done to push your ranking up will be lost – Google won’t recommend a site which they believe to be untrustworthy.

Is there an easier way?

Although this might seem all a bit complicated, Go Sitebuilder offers a completely free SSL certificate. This means you don’t have to pay for your certificate, and you also don’t need to go through the laborious process of obtaining one. Our easy to use website comes with a ready-to-go SSL-protected web domain, meaning you can get your online business up and running from day one.

If you’re still uncertain, then our 14-day free trial gives you time to see just how easy it can be to run a secure website – try it today!

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How can I make my website look more professional?

Working woman on laptop trying to make her website look more professional with her son reading a storybook. Both sitting on a grey sofa in a living room.

Although you might think you have relatively good concentration, on the internet this is likely to be a lot shorter: the average attention span is around eight seconds. This means that you have a limited amount of time to make an impression on the site user: if your online business looks unprofessional and visually unaesthetic, then most people are likely to click off your website, without really looking at the content you offer. A professional web design ensures that the traffic flow to your website will want to remain, exploring what else you have to offer. With a strong web design, it is easy to make your online business appear all the more professional. 

Image is everything 

Having a visually appealing web design is paramount if you want to draw potential customers to your site. Although it is tempting to cram your website with anything that you feel would be of benefit to your users, in the website world, less is more. Google conducted a huge study, revealing that visitors are put off by visual complexity: by keeping your website design minimal, you can create a sleek, attractive appearance, which draws visitors to other parts of your website. 

This also shows to visitors that your business is professional: you have taken the time to ensure your web design is of a high quality, which tells the visitor that you’re not an amateur, and that you can be trusted. 

Using images is also a great way to add to your professional image. Uploading photos onto a photo gallery really helps people get a good idea as to what you can offer them – they should be well lit, and of high quality to maintain a standard of professionalism. 

For example, if you’ve got a website for your restaurant then posting images of your food can really draw people in: by physically seeing the high-quality delights you offer, they are more likely to want to come and dine in your establishment. Or, if you’re a corporate business, posting images of your employees within your firm, or any events you’ve attended adds a personal touch to your online business. 

Optimise your website for speed and compatibility

Having a site which is optimised for internet use is essential. Having a poorly optimised site can really put a visitor off your website, prompting them to click off almost immediately. According to Kissmetrics, 47% of customers expected a website to load within 2 seconds; most of us expect a fast website, and if we feel a website is too slow, this can prompt us to look elsewhere. 

This also weighs heavily on your SEO – search engine optimisation – ranking. If Google sees that your website has a high bounce rate (in other words, it notices a lot of people clicking off your website quickly), then it is more likely to index you lower on its search engine results, meaning that your website has poor online visibility. 

By optimising your website so that it loads quickly, people are more likely to stay on your site for longer, which tells Google that your website is a reliable website, and that it should be ranked higher on search engine results. 

It’s also important that your site can be accessed both on computer and mobile devices. Considering that BrightEdge have reported that 57% of traffic is from smartphones and tablets, it is key that your website can be easily used, no matter how it is accessed.. Indeed, it would be damaging if over half of the potential visitors to your site couldn’t see what you have to offer because you haven’t optimised your site effectively. 

Don’t overlook social media 

Social media is an invaluable source to use to add another edge of professionalism. By linking social media with your website, you can create a link between the two, enabling site users to follow your social media accounts, meaning that they stay updated over the latest news and offers that your business has to offer. 

With social media you can also get creative: holding a live stream on Facebook or Instagram is a great way to generate interest around your business. Considering that Forbes have reported that people spend up to three times longer watching a video which is live, rather than pre-recorded, live streaming is a great way to market yourself. Whether you’re sharing your expertise on the latest bit of news, or demonstrating how to use a product that you sell, live streaming can add a unique, individual edge to your business. 

Of course, Facebook or Twitter is also a great tool to use if you want to post quick updates on the go, or encourage people to ask you questions. The success of Old Spice after they started up a video response to questions is a sterling example of how social media can open up endless doors: within one week of the response campaign, the number of views on their Youtube channel went up to 40 million, and by the end of the year sales were up by 125%.

Whilst it might seem difficult to know where to start when building your site, Go Sitebuilder is a great option for those who are daunted by the prospect. We offer ready to go professional web designs, which can be fully customised to your liking, and optimises your website so that it can be accessed on any device. An incredibly easy-to-use site builder, which gives you all the flexibility you could need with our 14-day free trial.

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What are the best free tools available for web design?

Female sat at a coffee shop high table using her laptop to update her Go Sitebuilder website. She is wearing a sleeveless white blouse and has curly hair

Why is web design important?

In the modern age, it is vital to have a website with high-quality design. Shoddy web design will no longer cut it with users: according to Stanford’s Web Credibility Research report, 75% of us will judge a business’ credibility based on their web design alone. It is also important to have an original and unique design: there is an endless number of online websites, and thus standing out from the crowd is a great way to distinguish yourself from others.

Can I design my own website?

Yes! Whilst you may believe that you need to be a whiz at coding or a professional web designer, this is simply a misconception. The brilliant thing about the internet is that there are lots of free tools out there to help you craft your website into your envisaged design. 

Furthermore, your site doesn’t have to have an intricate and complicated design to blossom. In fact, the Interaction Design Federation has written about the importance of Hick’s Law in web development. The idea of Hick’s Law is that if you present your users with a lower amount of choices then they reach a decision about your website faster. In other words, when it comes to web design, simplicity is key. 

Where do I start?

When creating a website for your online business it is crucial to nail the design of the main aspects of the site. Logaster is a good resource to use when creating your logo. If you want a bit of inspiration for a new colour scheme then Coolors is a handy tool as it comes up with a new colour scheme every time you refresh the page. Vector icons are also a great way to add a personal touch to your website: we suggest Flaticon, the world’s largest search base for free icons, all created by graphic designers.  

Is there an easier alternative?

If you still feel daunted at the prospect of designing your own website then Go Sitebuilder has you covered. Its knowledge and expertise in this field means there couldn’t be a simpler way to build a website for your online business. It has a whole range of customisable ready to go web designs, providing you with the right materials to design your website. Their 14-day free trial allows you to test this for yourself – why not try it today?

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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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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 do I create a photo gallery for my website

Female photographer sat at a desk with a laptop and image prints and a camera

Why do I need a photo gallery?

Having a photo gallery is an important visual stimulator when viewing a website. It adds colour and vibrancy to a website, meaning viewers are more likely to explore different sections of your site. In addition to this, a photo gallery adds a personal touch to your website: your online business becomes less robotic and more relatable. This is vital if you want to build a relationship between your site and the customer. The beauty of a photo gallery is that it is completely personal and customisable, enabling you to build your website in your own image. 

What tools can I use to create a photo gallery?

It is super simple to build a photo gallery. Juicebox is a great place to start for beginners: no coding skills are required and its simplicity means you can create HTML5 image galleries with ease. It is adaptable, as it can be accessed either on your computer or via mobile. Another huge plus with Juicebox is that it is free! 

Gallery Studio 1.1 is an alternative free option: its software leaves no watermarks on your images, ensuring your gallery remains personal to you.

Photo Gallery Builder 1.4 is another helpful tool if you want to create a photo gallery for your website. It requires no prior knowledge of Adobe Flash and its modern interface will leave your gallery looking professional and sophisticated. 

What next?

As you’re probably now aware, having a photo gallery for your website is of high importance. Condensing all your images into one folder means viewers of your site can access your pictures with ease. 

However, if you’re still unsure about how to create a photo gallery for your website then Go Sitebuilder is a fantastic solution. Our website builder is easy to use, and has ready to go tools within our editor to help you create the perfect photo gallery for your website – no need to use external software!

Alternatively, if you already have a collection of photos but don’t know what to do with it, then Go Sitebuilder is one of the best online site builders. Its simplicity ensures you can upload your images hassle-free and our free 14 day trial period gives you all the freedom to build your online business today!

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What is the best tool to optimise images for the web?

Male wearing a short sleeved blue shirt is sat at a desk typing on this laptop. He has a black watch on his right wrist and a notebook and pen is next to the laptop

Optimising your images before you post them onto the web could be the make or break of your online business. If your image isn’t optimised then your file size is larger, slowing down the speed of your website. This could dramatically affect your search engine optimisation (SEO) ranking – the slower your website, the more likely your image will become congested in google image search traffic. 

Failing to optimise your images is also a huge turn-off for those who do find their way onto your website. Forbes quoted an Aberdeen group study that a one-second delay in website load time could cost you 7% of sales, result in 11% fewer page views and a 16% decrease in satisfied customers. The following tools will help you optimise your images, making sure your website is highly attractive to those who visit your site.

There are lots of ways to optimise your images for your website, and those that optimise for SEO like adding alt text and making sure your images are named correctly can be done within your website builder. However, other important factors like image size, type and dimensions will need to be altered using external software. 

Adobe photoshop

This premium software is a well known classic. It allows you to save your files in different image formats such as JPEG, PNG or GIF. Once you have selected your options, your file size will also be displayed. This is a great option for those who are new to optimizing their images on the web, as it is easy to follow and fairly simple. 

JPEG Mini

This software reduces image sizing without diminishing any of its original quality. The fact that you can compare your original image against the compressed image is also a big plus, as you can test whether any quality has been lost. Whilst the computerised programme comes with a price tag, you can use their web version for free – another bonus!

Image Optim

Image Optim is a software specific to Mac. It removes unnecessary colours and finds the most suitable compression parameters to ensure no quality is reduced. It pretty much does all the hard work for you. And, luckily, Windows users don’t need to despair – Trimage acts as a promising alternative. 

Now that you have the knowledge needed to optimize your images, it is vital that you utilise these skills when starting your online website. If you’re also unsure how to build your online website then try Go Sitebuilder. Our responsive website builder is designed with small businesses in mind, helping you craft your business into a success. Try Go Sitebuilder today with our 14-week free trial period!

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Can I host my own website?

Young female sitting on a mattress in a trendy bedroom on her laptop and listening to music through headphones

Hosting your own website is possible. It can be quite an entertaining and rewarding experience, but it’s definitely not for everyone.  All you need is a Windows or Linux machine, and you can upload some HTML files to a folder and host them on the internet all by yourself! 

Now, if all of that already sounds a bit too complicated – you have absolutely nothing to worry about. There are some alternatives and professionals who have taken care of all of this for you already! At Go Sitebuilder, you can easily design, host and launch a professional website without any of the hassle.

Getting everything right

To host your own website, you’ll need a server. A server is a machine that stores data and sends it out to the internet, allowing your site to be accessed from anywhere in the world. That is what web hosting is, in a nutshell. 

It can take a very long time to get everything set up correctly but have no fear – here at Go Sitebuilder we’ve already taken care of all of that for you. 

For a small business owner, or someone trying to get their website running and performing at exceptional quality, it’s always a good idea to go with a professional and experienced hosting service. You won’t ever have to worry about accidentally flipping off the wrong switch or randomly having the whole shut website down! And, the best part is, it’s super simple to do and can be up and running in no time.

Energy and Efficiency

To host a website, you’ll need your server working 24/7. All-day and all night this little guy will be sending and storing data – forever. For anyone to see this data (your website), you’ll need to have some energy running to it. This can be a great way to run up a huge energy bill! 

Unless you can invest in a powerful server and the necessary connections to back it up, the only reason to host your own website is for fun.

The smart choice

A great and trusted option is to build your website and get it live in no time at all with Go Sitebuilder. We make it easy to design and launch a professional-looking website with all the functionality you need to make it work for you. The hosting is handled at our end and included in your subscription fee, and you have access to powerful tools to help market your website and make it into a powerhouse for your business. Get started today, and you’ll be ready to launch in no time.

If you haven’t got your own website up and running yet, what are you waiting for? With Go Sitebuilder, you can have an ecommerce site online in just a few hours, with no experience needed. Try them out now with a 14-day free trial.

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How to choose the perfect domain name for your online store

Female small business owner stood in the middle of her shop updating her online store via a tablet device. She is wearing dark green clothing and glasses

Your domain name is the first time your users will connect with your brand, and it’s important that you get it right. We’ve put together some tips to help you create a memorable and unique domain name for your online store. 

Does it reflect your brand and product?

If you’ve already developed and established a brand name, then use this for your domain. If that isn’t available, brainstorm words related to your core brand and values that are relevant to your business, and think about your potential customers; does this evoke the concepts and feelings your business represents? If you’re not sure, show some examples to friends and ask them what they think the website is selling and what kind of brand it is – if it’s way off, consider changing it to make it clearer. 

Can you optimise it for SEO?

Including keywords in your domain name will help your site rank higher on search engines and be more visible to potential clients, so pick a name that is specific to your product. However, be aware that this could make your site sound generic (cottontshirts.com) and could also limit what you can offer in the future. You can also use the domain extension .store as it both shows that you’re an ecommerce brand and helps you get that keyword into your domain name.

Is it simple and easy to understand?

You want your domain to be unique, but also memorable. Keep it short (17 characters max) and avoid unnecessary characters, abbreviations and numbers. Avoid unusual spellings and make it easy to say out loud, as then it’s easier to remember. 

When you’re starting out, brainstorm lots of ideas! Choose 10 words that represent your brand personality and your product, and play with different variations until you find one that sounds right. Check if it’s available and remember to buy it quickly; there are bots that buy up domains that have been recently searched to sell that at a profit later. 

A domain name should represent you and your brand, but you need a high-quality website as well! Go Sitebuilder has ecommerce capability, personalised domain names and offers five email addresses with that domain. Try out their 14-day free trial, and use their pre-built themes and designs to create a website that your customers will love.