Ontario business

The basics of developing your website

Your customers want the convenience of finding businesses online. If your competitors already have a website, you may want to consider adding a website to your marketing plan.

Even if you don't plan to sell your products online, having a website can be an inexpensive and effective way to advertise your business. It allows customers to find your business quickly and to compare your products and services to those offered by your competitors.

The following information may help you to develop your website.

Getting connected

For your business to make the most of the Internet, you will want a basic understanding of the different technologies that make it all work. It might be a progressive learning curve, starting with getting your computer connected to the Internet by finding an Internet Service Provider (ISP). What access speed do you require? Remember, generally the faster the speed is, the higher the cost involved.

Mailing lists

You may also choose to use mailing lists to distribute emails to customers registered voluntarily on a centrally managed list, which is usually based on a common topic of interest. Registrants may subscribe and unsubscribe from the list by sending an email to the mailing list's administrator.

There are two main types of lists: announcement lists and discussion lists. An announcement list is like a traditional newsletter while a discussion list functions like a public forum, providing a place to ask questions, offer advice and exchange ideas.

Domain name registration

Before you set up your website, the first step is registering your domain name. Also called a URL, it is the address that visitors type in to locate a website. You can register the domain name directly through an Internet Service Provider or through a domain registration company.

Website design

A basic business website is becoming a standard expectation, as the Internet provides quick, easy access to target audiences. When you design a website, it's best to start small and expand it as the business grows.

• Plan the website and decide what content should be on it.
• Put a team in place to develop and manage the website.
• Plan the information flow and structure.
• Develop the user interface.

Website development process 

• Website Development Process
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/guide/6091/
  Find out what steps you can take to ensure your website is developed to best represent your business.

Web 2.0 Website tools 

A website can be your most important marketing asset. Potential customers may contact your business and make buying decisions based on the availability and quality of the website. Prospective employees review websites in detail before submitting a resume, and possible suppliers study websites to determine the business' validity and product range.

The main impact of Web 2.0 on the design of small business websites is that there are new tools that allow you and your employees to take advantage of "do-it-yourself" websites. It is easier to update and maintain content, thanks to content management systems that make it easy for non-technical people to publish information to the Internet.

You will want to keep content current, as a fresh website makes a positive impression, but an outdated one reflects poorly on your business. When you develop a website, include a strategy to ensure your content is kept up-to-date long after the launch.

The latest services and online tools can provide new ways to drive traffic to your website:

• Tools such as mashups, small Internet applications that take data from one website to publish it on another, such as a local weather display, can enhance your website.
• Real Simple Syndication (RSS) allows users to subscribe to information updates from any website.
• A variety of website services like webhosting, website management, domain registration and email services can provide new ways to get a message out online.
• Widgets, such as clocks and games, are portable parts of the Internet that you can add to webpages, blogs or profiles.

Other online sales and marketing tools include:

• Customer Relationship Management systems that allow you to track prospects and clients
• Social networking
• Social bookmarking
• Media sharing (photos, videos, podcasts, audio files)
• Blogs and wikis

Learn more about online marketing and Customer Relationship Management systems.

• Online marketing
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/guide/4516/
  Marketing techniques and tools like social networking, emailing and blogging often involve low or no direct costs.
• What is customer relationship management?
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/guide/5183/
  In today's competitive market, it is vital for you to manage your relationships with your customers systematically, efficiently and profitably.