Essential Planning Tips for Using Website Builders

Building a website using a website builder might seem like an easy task, but without proper planning, it can become a time-consuming and frustrating endeavor. This blog post will provide you with essential planning tips to ensure your website building experience is smooth and successful.

Understanding Your Needs and Goals

Before you dive into building a website, it's crucial to clearly define your needs and goals. Ask yourself what the primary purpose of your website will be. Are you creating an online portfolio, an e-commerce store, or a blog? Understanding your goals will help you make informed decisions throughout the website building process and enable your plans for business growth.

Consider the target audience of your website. Knowing who you are building your site for will guide your design choices, content strategy, and overall functionality.

Choosing the Right Website Builder

Not all website builders are created equal. Some offer extensive design flexibility while others focus on ease of use. Research various website builders to find one that aligns with your specific needs and skill level. Some of todays website builders include Squarespace, Wix, HubSpot, Shopify, GoDaddy, Ionos, Hostinger, Elementor and Bluehost - to name a few!

Look for features that are essential to your website’s purpose. For instance, if you need e-commerce capabilities, ensure the website builder you choose supports online stores and offers the necessary integrations. If this is complicated and time consuming then contact askcraft as we provide a complete turnkey website builder managed service to alleviate some of the strain.

Planning Your Website Structure

A well-structured website is key to providing a good user experience and improving search engine optimisation (SEO). Plan out the hierarchy of your website, including the main pages and subpages. A clear and logical structure will make it easier for visitors to navigate your site.

Create a sitemap to visualise the layout of your website. This will serve as a blueprint during the building process and help ensure that you don’t overlook any important sections.

Designing for User Experience

User experience (UX) should be at the forefront of your design decisions. A website that is easy to navigate, visually appealing, and responsive will keep visitors engaged and encourage them to explore further.

Pay attention to key design elements such as typography, colour schemes, and imagery. Consistency in these elements across the site will create a cohesive look and feel.

You'll need to spend time creating the theme, working on files in various formats and sizes optimised for web, need knowledge of Adobe PhotoShop, Adobe Express and other tools to get it all right. Of course at askcraft our creatives have all of this ready to service your needs without you learning the jargon or training yourself on how to use software packages.

Testing and Launching Your Website

Before going live, thoroughly test your website to ensure all features work properly and that the site displays correctly on different devices and browsers. This step is crucial to catching any issues that could negatively impact user experience.

Once you are confident that everything is functioning as intended, it’s time to launch your website. Announce the launch through your social media channels and other marketing platforms to attract visitors.

When it Pays to Bring askcraft in to Manage your Website Builder

While DIY website builders are a fantastic starting point for many individuals and small businesses looking to establish an online presence, there are times when enlisting the expertise of professionals, like the team at askcraft, can significantly enhance your website's effectiveness and efficiency. DIY platforms are great for those who have the time and inclination to learn the intricacies of web development, but they can often be limiting in terms of advanced functionality, custom design, and optimisation for performance and search engines.

If you ever find yourself spending more time tinkering with your website than focusing on running your business, it might be a wise decision to consider seeking professional assistance. This is where askcraft steps in, offering a comprehensive and invaluable service that encompasses every aspect of website creation. From the initial planning stages, where your specific needs and goals are understood, to the creation of engaging and relevant content, askcraft ensures that your website is not only visually appealing but also highly functional and user-friendly.

Their service extends to designing the overall look and feel of your site, taking into account user experience principles to create a seamless navigation process. They also conduct thorough compatibility checks to ensure that your site performs optimally across all devices and browsers, which is crucial in today's mobile-first digital landscape. By entrusting your website needs to askcraft, you can rest assured that your online presence will be robust, scalable, and future-proof, sparing you the stress and hassle of doing it all alone.

Moreover, askcraft is flexible in its approach, happily collaborating with any website builder you prefer, or they can recommend one that aligns perfectly with your needs and desired features. Having tested numerous platforms, they possess the expertise to make your website stand out with just a few strategic tweaks and adjustments.

In addition to paid options, there are plenty of ways to create a free yet effective website without compromising on quality or functionality. For example, askcraft leverages the HubSpot content management system, which not only provides a solid foundation for building your site but also includes integrated customer relationship management (CRM) and sales planning tools. This integration allows for a more cohesive approach to managing your online presence and business operations, making it an attractive option for those looking to maximise efficiency and drive growth.

Contact Us to discuss your ideal website

askcraft Services, Making Free Website Builders Useful

Creating a professional and efficient website is crucial for small businesses aiming to establish a strong online presence. However, for many small business owners, who often juggle multiple responsibilities, building and maintaining a website can be overwhelming and time-consuming. This is where assistance with a website builder becomes essential. By seeking help from experts and utilising user-friendly free website builders, small business owners can save significant time and avoid unnecessary distractions. Contact askcraft to discuss your exciting website project.

Firstly, website builders often offer pre-designed templates and easy-to-use interfaces that simplify the process of creating a website but still requires the brains to configure the content needed to make your website effective. Business owners want to focus on what they do best—running their business. With the right assistance, from askcraft a website can be quickly set up so that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. Let askcraft handle the design, content and technical intricacies of web design and coding.

Moreover, expert help ensures that the website is optimised for performance and user experience. This involves ensuring that the website is mobile-friendly, loads quickly, and is easy to navigate. By having a website that functions smoothly, business owners can attract and retain customers more effectively, which is crucial in today's competitive market.

In addition, seeking help with a website builder can also provide small business owners with guidance on best practices for digital marketing, search engine optimisation (SEO), and content management. This holistic approach not only saves time but also enhances the business’s ability to reach and engage a broader audience online.

In conclusion, while building a website can be a challenging task, utilising a website builder with askcraft's professional help can significantly reduce the time and distractions involved. This allows small business owners to concentrate their efforts on growing their business, ensuring their digital presence is as robust and effective as possible.

askcraft offers an extensive range of managed IT services specifically tailored for small businesses, ensuring that your day-to-day operations run seamlessly, your teams receive continuous support, and customer satisfaction is consistently enhanced. Our comprehensive approach is designed to focus on achieving optimal business outcomes by prioritising both functionality and process efficiency. This ensures that your employees can fully leverage the systems and software available for both their everyday tasks and strategic objectives. Our suite of services is diverse and includes, but is not limited to: 

  • Website Builder: We provide tools and guidance to help you create a professional and user-friendly website that reflects your brand and engages your audience effectively. 
     
  • Brand Design: Our creative team assists in developing a strong visual identity that resonates with your target market and sets you apart from competitors. 

  • Managed IT Services: We manage your IT infrastructure to ensure it is reliable, secure, and capable of supporting your business growth.
     
  • Understanding E-commerce: We offer insights and strategies to help you navigate the e-commerce landscape, from setting up online stores to optimising sales channels.
     
  • Data Loss Prevention: We implement measures to protect your valuable business data from loss or unauthorised access, ensuring continuity and security.
     
  • CRM Software: Our solutions help you manage customer relationships more effectively, improving sales and customer service efficiency.
     
  • Spreadsheet Management: We aid in optimising spreadsheet use for better data analysis and decision-making processes. 
     
  • Business Development: Our experts provide the tools and strategic advice to help you explore new opportunities, expand your market reach, and achieve sustainable growth.

    With askcraft's managed IT services, small businesses can ensure their operations are not only efficient but also capable of adapting to evolving business needs, thereby driving success and innovation.

Jeff Craft

Jeff has 20 years experience of business software and home computing focusing on processes and workflows to achieve a great experience.

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