For many businesses, a website can be the difference between success and failure. It’s essential to have a professional-looking site that’s easy to navigate and informative for customers. But with so many web design companies out there, how do you know which one is reliable? Choosing a reliable web design company is an important decision, and there are certain factors you should consider before making your choice. In this blog post, we will discuss how to choose a reliable web design company that meets your needs.
When you're looking for a web design company to work with, it's important to do your research and make sure you're choosing a reliable company that will create a website that meets your needs. The first thing to do is to create a list of potential companies. This will help you narrow down your options and choose the best company for your needs. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you're doing your research:
As you narrow down your list of potential web design companies, be sure to check out each one's portfolio. This will give you a good sense of their design style and the types of projects they typically work on.
If you have a specific vision for your website in mind, make sure that the web design company's portfolio reflects that. For example, if you want a sleek and modern website, make sure that the company has designed similar websites in the past.
On the other hand, if you're not quite sure what you want and are looking for some inspiration, a company with a diverse portfolio can be a good option. They'll be able to show you a range of different styles and help you find the right look for your website.
When you're looking for a web design company, it's important to ask for referrals from people you trust. This will help you find a company that is reliable and has a good reputation. You can also look online for reviews of web design companies. Once you've found a few companies that you're interested in, contact them and ask for quotes.
When you are ready to take the first step in finding a web design company, you will want to set up initial consultations. This is your opportunity to learn more about each company and get a feel for its process. Here are some tips for making the most of your initial consultations:
1. Come prepared with questions.
You should have a list of questions ready to ask each web design company during your consultation. This will help you compare apples to apples and find the company that is the best fit for your project. Some example questions include:
-How long have you been in business?
-How many projects have you completed?
-Can you provide examples of similar projects?
-What is your design process like?
-How do you handle revisions?
-What is your pricing structure?
2. Be clear about your budget and timeline.
Before meeting with web design companies, you should have a good idea of your budget and timeline for the project. This will help the companies understand what they need to work within and whether or not they can take on your project. It will also save everyone's time if it becomes clear early on that there is a mismatch in expectations.
3. Take note of first impressions.
As with any service provider, you will want to trust your gut when it comes to choosing a web design company. After meeting with each company, take some time to reflect on your first impressions. Did you feel like they understood your vision and were able to communicate their process clearly? Did they seem enthusiastic and eager to help you achieve your goals? These are all important factors that should influence your decision.
You've finally decided that your business needs a website. Congratulations! Having a website is a great way to reach more customers and grow your business. But now you need to choose a reliable web design company to create your website. One more piece of advice, don't base your decision solely on price. Remember, you get what you pay for. Therefore, make your decision based on your needs and the value you are going to get.
Choosing the right web design company for your project can be a daunting task, but with these tips and pointers, you should have no problem finding a reliable one. Ask questions, read customer reviews, and take time to compare quotes from different companies to find the one that best fits your needs. With the right research and due diligence, a reliable web design company can help make sure that your website is up-to-date and successful.
In the digital age, many businesses are realizing that their website is no longer just a page with contact info but rather their most important asset. Learn how to make a website the most valuable asset of your business and make it an effective tool for communication, marketing, customer service, branding, and more in this article.
A website is one of the most valuable assets a business can have. It is a platform where businesses can showcase their products and services, reach out to new and existing customers, and drive sales. A well-designed and well-functioning website can help businesses gain credibility, build trust, and boost brand awareness.
Some of the advantages of having a website for your business include:
- Reach: Websites provide businesses with an opportunity to reach a global audience. With a website, businesses can market their products and services to anyone in the world with an internet connection.
- Cost-effective marketing: A website is a cost-effective way to market your business. By investing in a website, businesses can save on traditional advertising costs such as print, television, or radio ads.
- Sell 24/7: A website also provides businesses with a 24/7 marketing platform that can be accessed by anyone at any time.
- Increased sales: A well-designed website can help increase sales by providing visitors with easy access to product information and purchase options. Online shoppers are more likely to make a purchase if they can find what they’re looking for quickly and easily.
- Improved customer service: A website allows businesses to improve their customer service by providing visitors with self-service options such as FAQs, online chat, or email support. Customers appreciate being able to find answers to their questions without having to wait for a response from customer service.
- Competitive edge: In today’s digital age, having a website gives businesses a competitive edge over those that don’t. A website provides businesses with the opportunity to stand out from the competition and show potential customers why they should choose them.
Overall, having a website can be extremely beneficial for businesses of all sizes and industries. By investing in a well-designed and well-functioning website, businesses can reach more customers, save on advertising costs, increase sales, improve customer service, and gain an advantage over the competition.
There are many ways to make your website an asset to your business. One way is to make sure it is informative and up-to-date. You want potential and current customers to be able to find information easily and see that you are keeping up with the latest trends.
Another way to make your website an asset is by making it interactive. This can be done through features such as polls, quizzes, or contests. This gets visitors engaged and coming back for more. It also shows that you value feedback and are willing to listen to what your audience has to say.
Making your website mobile-friendly is another great way to leverage it as an asset. With more and more people using their phones and tablets to access the internet, it’s important that your site can be viewed on these devices. This means having a responsive design or a separate mobile site.
And finally, one of the best ways to make your website an asset is by regularly adding fresh content. This could be in the form of articles, blog posts, videos, or even infographics. By regularly providing new and interesting content, you’ll keep people coming back for more while also showing that you are an authority in your industry.
Are you looking to get more out of your website? If so, you're not alone. Small businesses around the world are turning to their websites as a way to generate more leads and sales.
But if you're new to the game, it can be tough to know where to start. That's why we've put together this list of five simple steps to help you get started with leveraging your website as a valuable asset for your business.
1. Define Your Goals
The first step is to define your goals. What do you want your website to achieve? Do you want to generate more leads? Drive more sales? Increase brand awareness? Once you know what you want to achieve, you can start working on making it happen.
2. Know Your Target Audience
Who are you trying to reach with your website? Knowing your target audience is critical in order to create a website that appeals to them. Consider things like their demographics, interests, and needs when creating your content and design.
3. Create Compelling Content
Once you know who you're talking to, it's time to start creating compelling content that will resonate with them. This could include blog posts, infographics, ebooks, or even just well-written product descriptions. Whatever form it takes, make sure your content is engaging and informative.
4. Promote Your Website
Now that you have a great website, it's time to start promoting it. This could mean setting up a paid advertising campaign, optimizing your website for search engines, or simply reaching out to influencers in your industry.
5. Measure and Adapt
Finally, it's important to measure and track the performance of your website. By looking at things like page views and conversion rates, you can determine what's working and what isn't so that you can adjust and refine over time.
These five steps should give you a good foundation to get your website off the ground. From there, you can start exploring other ways to further optimize your website and drive more business growth. Good luck!
Your website is an incredibly valuable asset for your business. It’s the first place most customers will go to learn about your company, and it’s a great platform for showcasing your products or services.
That’s why it’s important to have a well-developed website strategy. This means thinking about your goals for the site, who your target audience is, and what kinds of content will appeal to them. It also means making sure your site is easy to use and navigate, so visitors can find what they’re looking for quickly and without hassle.
If you take the time to develop a strong website strategy, you’ll be rewarded with a powerful tool that can help you achieve your business goals.
There are many ways to monetize a website, and the best approach depends on the type of website you have. If you have a content-based website, common monetization strategies include selling advertising space, affiliate marketing, and creating and selling digital products. If you have an eCommerce website, you can generate revenue by selling physical products or services. And if you have a combination of both content and eCommerce, you can use a variety of monetization strategies to maximize your earnings.
Selling advertising space is one of the most common ways to monetize a website. You can sell ad space directly to businesses or work with an advertising network like AdSense or Media.net. Affiliate marketing is another popular option for content-based websites. You can promote products or services from other companies on your website and earn a commission on each sale.
Creating and selling digital products is another great way to monetize your website. This could include eBooks, courses, templates, or other types of downloadable products. And finally, if you have an eCommerce website, you can generate revenue by selling physical products or services.
The best way to monetize your website will depend on the type of site you have and what kinds of products or services you’re able to sell. Experiment with different options and see what works best for you and your business.
Your website should be the backbone of your business, and leveraging it to its full potential is vital in order to unlock greater success. By following these tips, you can make your website the most valuable asset of your business. If you need any help with website designing solutions with guaranteed Return on Invest, contact Freelance Web Solutions.
Freelance Web Solutions will give you a well-designed website that will provide value to customers by presenting them with engaging content that encourages interaction and drives conversions. With regular maintenance and thoughtful strategy implementation, you will soon find yourself reaping the rewards of having an effective online presence!
You can check some of our work with success stories here.
For any non-profit organisation's sustainability, establishing a revenue stream is essential for the long-term success of their mission. In this article, we will discuss the steps you need to take in order to successfully build and maintain a steady flow of income for your non-profit organisation - from fundraising initiatives to exploring new avenues of income.
A non-profit organization is a type of organization that uses its surplus revenue to help achieve its goals, rather than distributing it among shareholders or owners. Nonprofits can be organized in a variety of ways, including as corporations, trusts, associations, or cooperatives. They can have any legal structure that allows them to pursue their objectives.
Most nonprofits are exempt from taxation. This means that they do not have to pay federal income taxes on the money they earn. However, they may still be subject to state and local taxes, as well as employment taxes.
Nonprofits must use their funds for the public good and cannot engage in political activity or lobbying. They also cannot distribute their profits to shareholders or owners. Instead, they must reinvest their surplus revenue in furthering their organizational goals.
There are many different types of nonprofits, such as charities, foundations, religious organizations, educational institutions, and cultural organizations. Each type of nonprofit has its own unique purpose and set of goals.
The answer to this question may seem obvious, but it's worth taking a step back to think about what exactly we mean when we talk about a sustainable revenue stream. In short, a sustainable revenue stream is one that can be relied upon to provide funding for an organization over the long term.
There are many different ways to generate revenue for a nonprofit organization, but not all of them are sustainable. For example, grants from foundations or government agencies are often one-time only sources of funding that cannot be counted on in the future. On the other hand, earned income from activities like selling products or services can provide a more reliable source of funding that can help support an organization's operations in the long run.
Of course, no single revenue stream is likely to be enough to sustain an organization on its own. A diversified mix of different types of revenue streams is typically necessary in order to provide the stability and flexibility that organizations need to thrive over time. However, sustained and predictable growth from even a single sustainable revenue stream can make a big difference for nonprofits trying to meet their goals and serve their constituents effectively.
In order to build a sustainable revenue stream for your nonprofit organization, you will need to identify and tap into multiple sources of funding. This may include government grants, philanthropic donations, corporate sponsorships, and individual donors.
You will need to create a diversified fundraising strategy that emphasizes long-term institutional support. This means cultivating relationships with key stakeholders and partners and developing a clear case for support that outlines the value your organization brings to the community.
It is also important to implement efficient and effective fundraising operations. This includes having a robust database of potential donors, utilizing technology to automate repetitive tasks, and establishing built-in checks and balances to ensure accountability.
One way to get more funding for your nonprofit is by motivating and incentivizing NGOs; here is how to do that:
Your nonprofit organization’s website is one of its most important marketing tools. It is the face of your organization online, and can be a powerful tool for attracting new supporters and engaging existing ones.
To make the most of your website, it is important to keep it up-to-date with fresh content. Your website should also be visually appealing, easy to navigate, and mobile-friendly. And, of course, it should include a call to action that encourages visitors to take the next step – whether that’s making a donation, signing up for your e-newsletter, or taking action on an issue you care about.
With a well-designed and maintained website, you can cultivate relationships with current and potential donors, share your nonprofit’s story in a compelling way, and increase donations and other forms of support.
At Freelance Web Solutions, we have special packages from nonprofit organisations. If you don't have one, don't hesitate to contact us.
We hope that this guide to building a sustainable revenue stream for your nonprofit organization has been helpful. Every charitable organization needs multiple sources of income and developing consistent, reliable donations from individual donors as well as corporations are key to making sure that these nonprofits can be successful in the long term. With strategic planning and intentional implementation at each step of the process, building strong sustainable revenue streams is possible.
Freelance Web Solutions has scooped a 2021 Best Web and Digital Marketing Agency - Malawi award from Corporate Vision's Small Business Awards programme.
The Small Business Awards have been a part of the Corporate Vision awards programmes since 2016, with an aim to recognise innovative and hard-working organisations, and their owners.
Awards Coordinator Gabrielle Ellis took a moment to discuss the success of those recognised in this year’s programme: “Small businesses are the backbone of the economy, and their work should be recognised to match their efforts. We offer our sincere congratulations to all the winners, and good luck for the future.”
Freelance Web Solutions CEO Marshall Dyton said he is very happy to see their work recognised on the international scene.
"This is good news for us. It just shows how dedicated we are towards providing innovative digital solutions to our clients worldwide. We thank our clients, partners, and the entire Freelance Web Solutions for their part in growing this brand," he said.
Corporate Vision is published monthly with the mission to deliver insightful features from across the global corporate world. Launched with an eye towards bettering business practices across the board, Corporate Vision focuses on spotlighting advances in the HR, marketing, coaching, and recruitment spheres, with the goal to shine a light on the gatekeepers of better business. Those that help build, through no small amount of creativity and expertise, to develop an altogether more productive and more efficient world of work.
Corporate Vision is bought to you by AI Global Media, a B2B digital publishing group founded in 2010. The group currently has 13 brands within its portfolio that include luxury lifestyle, construction, healthcare and small business-focused publications.
Since 2010 AI Global Media has been committed to creating engaging B2B content that informs their readers and allows them to market their business to a global audience. They create content for and about firms across a range of industries.
Cybercrime is predicted to cost the world $10.5 trillion yearly by the year 2025. With this staggering statistic, it’s only reasonable to be invested in cybersecurity more than ever.
Whether you are a large corporation, a small business, or even a freelancer offering your services mainly on your website, cybercrime can still find its way to you. And when it does, just think about all the damage it will cause—from stolen money and loss of productivity to theft of personal and financial data and reputational harm.
Sometimes, the way to go about threats as huge as a cyberattack is to go down to the roots. More often than not, it’s the simplest methods that we forget even if they are the solutions to our problems. Read on to know the 6 essential cybersecurity measures and techniques you can do to own an effective website.
When you own a website, one thing you should never forget is to update your software regularly. Your website becomes vulnerable the moment your platforms or scripts are outdated. It’s easy for hackers to target security flaws like these, especially if what you’re using is popular web software.
Routinely update your programs in order to patch any security holes that may be running amok. If you’re using web software like WordPress, you wouldn’t have to worry as much as they typically update all the time, saving you from all the hassle of doing it manually.
Strong passwords are the key to stronger security from hackers. You’ve heard it time and time again, but there are times when we still find ourselves using the passwords we’ve had since forever. These often contain personal information such as names, birthdays, addresses that can easily be dug up on search engines and other platforms.
Hackers love brute-forcing their way to crack passwords. Save yourself the hassle and the headache by using complex passwords that contain a combination of numerals, upper and lowercase letters, as well as special characters. Keep them at least 10 characters long. Don’t forget to update them every once in a while. Lastly, if you’re a small or medium-sized business owner, make sure to maintain a password policy throughout your organization.
If your website contains the educational or health records of your clients, it must comply with FERPA and HIPAA. When it comes to keeping a website that holds very sensitive information such as credit card numbers and personal information, make sure that you’re actively managing the various users that handle whatever is on your website.
Not everyone has to be an admin. As much as possible, apply different levels of access to your users based on their role in the company. If you may need to escalate the permissions of an individual, just remember to reduce those once they’ve completed their task.
SSL stands for “Secure Sockets Layer” and just from that alone, it’s easy to see why having an SSL is crucial. You have probably already seen this without even knowing it. Some websites begin with “HTTP” while others with “HTTPS.” That “S” means that the website you are visiting uses SSL encryptions.
SSL allows sensitive information such as social security numbers, login credentials, and credit card numbers to be transmitted in a much more secure way as compared to a site without SSL. Encryption is what stops any third party from intercepting a user inputting information into a page on your website.
Simply put, SSL prevents hackers from accessing private data and login credentials.
Just in case anything goes wrong, you will be saving the day if you regularly backup your site and the data that comes with it. Web host providers usually provide daily backups of their own servers, but it’s still important to save your own files manually and consistently.
There are also a multitude of plugins and extensions available to automate this process if you’d much prefer not to do this manually.
If your business can afford it, hiring a security expert is an investment that won’t go to waste. They can scan your website for vulnerabilities, perform website security checks and audits, and monitor any malicious activity. They can also be there whenever a repair on your website’s security is needed.
If you are a smaller business and hiring a security expert isn’t financially feasible as of the moment, it’s very important for you to take steps to implement ongoing monitoring of your website and all the activity that happens within it.
You can either purchase software that will help you with this or install a plugin or application that will implement a consistent monitoring and testing program of your files and website activity. This will help you keep constantly updated with potential changes or abnormalities.
If you’re thinking of going with this route instead of employing someone else, make sure to get a plugin or software that scans for daily malware detection, PAN scanning, file change detection, vulnerability scanning, and penetration testing.
We do everything we can to make sure nobody breaks into our homes. From locks and chains to burglar alarms and motion detectors, we ensure that everything is up and running so that our home is safe and secure.
The same thing goes with our websites that contain everything we’ve worked so hard on. With just how vulnerable to hackers and opportunists our cyberspace truly is, web attacks will not slow down in the coming years. It’s up to us to take control of our website’s security and ensure the safety of our data and the information of our clients and customers.
Keep your website in tip-top condition to maintain its health, safety, and security. If you need any help in this department, we’ve got just the solution! As part of our maintenance services, the monitoring and backup of your site are included for free.
As an online-focused industry, digital marketing continues to grow while relying on information systems available. While there is much promise in this field, it also faces considerable cybersecurity risks. A digital marketer must therefore keep in mind the consistent possibility of a data breach. There are a number of probabilities that could happen in case your system gets hacked. This includes financial frauds, downtimes, and security breaches which would then result in bad publicity.
Digital marketers hold a huge responsibility to be really cautious during website maintenance and management in order to readily identify threats that could cause system collapse. It is advisable to use a virtual private network (VPN) to ensure that all traffic goes through an encrypted channel, getting rid of most cybersecurity concerns. Securing your digital platforms should be one of your top priorities especially because security incidents increasingly become costly. Invest ample time, effort, and timely maintenance to be on top of a secured digital marketing business.
Here are some safety tips to have sound cybersecurity that could help protect your business and put your mind at ease:
A poorly constructed website is an easy target for hackers so save yourself from heartache by preparing in advance. Do not settle for unsatisfactory service from your website provider or designer and implement advanced security measures such as a 2-factor authentication which strengthens overall website security. Make sure that your website is adequately configured by being consistent with simple cybersecurity hygiene which includes updating content management systems and plug-ins.
Remember that a hacking incident can lead to more troubles such as paying regulatory fines, losing finances, and dealing with a damaged reputation. Some of the outcomes that could happen when your website gets compromised are inaccessible website parts, customers transferring to a competitor, and hackers acquiring credit card information among others. You may therefore want to consider getting a Web Application Firewall (WAF) that could thoroughly screen the traffic your website encounters and halt any possible cyber attacks and malware. It would also help to use a corporate credit card with exceptional protection considering that you would use it in almost all your online business transactions. Lastly, you can install a digital certificate such as SSL certificate to protect any information your website receives that could earn the trust of your customers, knowing their data is well guarded.
Since a website is a wide turf to defend, you must not forget to keep your WordPress up to date. It is no secret that it’s one of the most prominent website hosting platforms that digital marketers manage which is why an outdated WordPress site can be easily breached by a hacker and exploit its unprotected software components. Stubbornly using old versions of necessary plug-ins and themes is like welcoming the hacker to your gates with open arms. Thus, updating your software as frequently and soon as possible is crucial. You can even enable automatic updates so it won’t be too much of a hassle. Be reminded to use a complex password different from your social media passwords to supplement your defenses.
You should be accustomed to using third-party services such as PayPal as a digital marketer. They basically serve as a precaution to securely handle transaction data. Hackers won’t simply stop even when they know you have such guards ready since it is what they do so familiarize yourself with anti-malware measures as well. These can provide an added layer of encryption wherein hackers will encounter data that would not be immediately useful in case they successfully get to breach your defenses. They can do this by using malware so have your website HTTPS secured and do further research on other anti-malware techniques.
Hackers increasingly use emails to distribute malware and forward fraudulent invoices which could expose you to different phishing attacks that could be a serious threat to your business. This widely-used tactic is becoming more deceptive and sophisticated that you can even receive ransomware capable of locking up all your data behind a paywall. Such a severe incident only takes knowing your business email address and compromising it which would subsequently harm the rest of your marketing efforts and business reputation. Therefore, train yourself and your team to easily recognize a fraudulent email in order to know when not to click a link that contains malware.
Taking adequate precautions such as using a VPN, 2-factor authentication, and strong passwords can help you secure email accounts to lessen the chances of spam, email spoofing, and viruses infiltrating your email system. Have an alignment with your team to touch base and track what everyone has encountered so far which is a good basis for knowing what additional measures must be taken to minimize online risks of email interception.
Social media have always been part of a digital marketing equation so you better not forget to secure your social media accounts. When hackers get to take hold of your account, they can easily send malicious links to your followers and even trick them to forward delicate information. Protect your socials in the same way you protect your website and email to avoid a catastrophic event. You can do this by limiting access to your company’s social media credentials and having a secured password.
The possibility of a cybersecurity attack will always be there. As a digital marketer, it is your responsibility to properly manage your online assets and understand how a cyber attack works to know how to efficiently counter it. Stay up to date with cybersecurity trends and foster trust with your customers by giving the assurance that you certainly got their backs.
About The Author:
Regi Publico is a full-time writer based in Manila who is also an artist for fun. She takes pride in her towering collection of books and loves reading about anything under the sun. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge through every article that she writes.
Just like technology, marketing is ever-changing. This facet of business never stops evolving as it is the one relied on upon to reel in new customers and maintain the loyal ones. All businesses, no matter how big or small, need to refresh their strategy every now and then to keep up with the times. Of course, traditional marketing strategies are still well-received by the public, but it does not generate as many sales as digital marketing.
Marketers of today must come up with fresh digital marketing ideas that reach out to potential customers rather than waiting for them to be interested in what the company is offering. This is especially important today when consumers are more decisive and have a solid idea of what they want and when they’re going to get it. So, the main goal is to attract and convert customers to generate more and more profit.
Wondering how to make yourself more relevant in the saturated digital marketing ecosystem? Well, here are a few ways on how to make your brand more attractive to potential and existing customers.
While marketers tailor their strategies according to a specific group of consumers who are most likely to avail their products and services, it’s also a great idea to create marketing content that will appeal greatly to millennials and the younger generation.
This is because that age group is most exposed to the internet and your digital marketing materials. In line with that, this age group is also more likely to switch over or remain loyal to brands that reflect their beliefs and/or goals. So, craft your marketing materials according to what your brand represents. For instance, weave individuality, creativity, empowerment, beauty, sustainability, social responsibility, or whatever your company represents in what you publish online. Not only does this attract attention, but it also builds a brand image and reputation.
All businesses must have an official website where their products and services are listed as well as their about page and blogs. For this, it is recommended to hire web designers and developers. They are the ones able to create an effective website design that users can easily navigate. The website should be attractive, and it must contain necessary marketing materials and buttons that will redirect users to a landing page. Having a website makes sure that you can track the traffic and make necessary adjustments to your digital marketing strategies according to the monthly figures.
Maintaining your social media accounts is just as important as having a website. This is because your audience is largely exposed to it and are likely to encounter your posts especially if you pay different social media platforms to increase your posts’ views. Keep posting on your social media accounts and increase the organic views by sharing the posts on your personal account. Or you can opt to pay a small amount to boost the post and have it appear on a specific target audience’s wall. Remember to incorporate your website’s link to the captions of your posts and create visually appealing materials.
Having the website’s link conveniently placed at the caption makes it easy for interested viewers to redirect to the page and browse what else you’re offering. Doing this saves a lot of the potential customer’s time and keeps them engaged. Whenever you can, do this trick so your customers no longer need to Google your brand as they will be redirected to it in a matter of seconds and maintain their level of interest.
Creating content for your website’s blog or social media posts should always be SEO-optimized. Why? Well, if your content is rich in keywords, what you publish is more likely to turn up at the top of Google search results. SEO-optimizing all your content improves your page ranking thus bringing in more traffic. SEO is not limited to keywords and content, but it also encompasses link building, web design, and other SEO-related tactics.
With SEO becoming increasingly important in the success of a business’ marketing strategy. If you are not well-versed in SEO, it’s beneficial to hire an SEO Specialist to take care of your SEO needs. Increase the chance of your website showing up on Google search results and generate traffic that translates to profit through SEO.
Just as in managing business expenses, you also need to keep an eye on digital marketing data. This includes how much people have seen your posts, what percentage of them are organic views and paid for, your website traffic, if it’s increasing or not, how many users click on the external links you embedded in your posts, what percentage of those clicks leads to availing a product or service, and so on. All these figures are essential in determining if your current marketing strategy is generating profit or if there are lots to improve.
Follow these tips in setting up a profitable digital marketing campaign and watch your sales shoot to the sky!
About The Author:
Regi Publico is a full-time writer based in Manila who is also an artist for fun. She takes pride in her towering collection of books and loves reading about anything under the sun. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge through every article that she writes.
Starting a new business can be scary, but all you have to do is set up a rock-solid foundation to make it last. It is important to know a few tips and tricks to help it stay afloat and grow as time goes by.
With most businesses moving to the digital landscape, having a physical office or address is now optional. Buying a domain name and building an attractive and user-friendly website is what should be done before officially launching your business. This action goes hand in hand with creating a business email address.
Many first-time business owners tend to neglect using a professional business email address as they feel like it would not make much of a difference. But if you want to gain credibility or if you’re planning for expansion, you may want to provide an easy way for your future employees to file their leave and address business matters officially.
With that, here are a few reasons why your business badly needs to use a business email address using the company’s domain name:
One of the first things prospective customers look for in a professional email is the presence of a business domain. Having an email that reads firstnamelastname@businessdomain.com is more likely to be trusted and read by prospects than businessdomain@gmail.com or businessdomain@hotmail.com. This is because using business domains on the email address makes the email more legitimate and the website searchable. If they’ll be able to search for the website on your email’s domain easily, the more they are inclined to browse through and trust it.
So, one of the things you should invest in is finding a hosting service that will get your newly bought domain name up and running. While you’re at it, you better keep an eye out for those who offer hosting packages to lessen your expenses. Just make sure to come up with a domain name that makes a strong impact and is memorable so the prospects you send emails to can recall it easily.
All startups and small businesses have one thing in common: to be recognized by the public as a legitimate business. If you’re dreaming of being taken as seriously as an established or well-known company, you better start by using a business email address. Using your personal email address to address business matters just won’t look good to customers because it will seem like you’re not taking it seriously – even if you are.
One of the best advantages of using business email addresses in conducting your business is that it lets you expose your company to those you send emails to. It doubles as free marketing if used correctly. Contrary to popular belief, email is still one of the main communication platforms.
Even if customers message you on your social media pages (if any) they will still have to send you an email for inquiries. Or you may need to send your customers promotional emails or updates regarding their purchases. Whatever it may be, making your domain name easily seen by customers will make them aware of your company’s existence and authenticity.
Even if you’re the only one manning the operations behind the scenes, it’s good to have separate email addresses for different departments or purposes. This may be sales@businessdomain.com, info@businessdomain.com, admin@businessdomain.com, or support@businessdomain.com to keep track of all incoming communications easily.
It’s also preferable to have a direct line of communication with you and all your employees. For instance, you may use your first name’s initial combined with your last name or your full name. It may look like samsmith@companydomain.com or ssmith@companydomain.com.
Be mindful of capitalization because the first half of an email address is case-sensitive. To prevent typographical errors, it’s best to use lowercase letters only. Play it safe and don’t use uppercase characters and other symbols as well as numbers.
When you have employees, it’s best not to let them use their own personal email when attending to clients and partners. Aside from maintaining professionalism, this will hinder you as an owner to gain access to the full transaction and keep a record of it in your system. If the employee leaves the company, you might not be able to retrieve the confidential company information that has been sent to their personal email. But when you mandate that your employees use an official company email, turnover, and account maintenance is easy as pie.
Conducting business communications and transactions will require your customer to disclose their personal information. Considering this, put yourself in the customer’s shoes. Would you entrust sensitive information to a sketchy email address that’s been sending you offers for products or services? Probably not. So, it’s safe to conclude that customers deserve to get the treatment you expect from other businesses.
Additionally, business email addresses are more secure than free email services such as Google which limits your privacy. Your email accounts are more secure with a web hosting service and can be trusted to keep sensitive information strictly confidential. You can also opt to add additional security systems if you want to.
With all these foolproof benefits, what’s hindering you from using a professional business email address?
About The Author:
Regi Publico is a full-time writer based in Manila who is also an artist for fun. She takes pride in her towering collection of books and loves reading about anything under the sun. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge through every article that she writes.
A Domain name is basically the address of your website that people type in the browser bar to visit your website. It is by far the most essential part of your business website and acts as a digital visiting card for your business. You cannot have an accessible website without a domain name.
A domain name also behaves as an ID for all your business emails e.g. frank@domain.com that way your customers easily identify your email as they associate your email and website domain name. It also assists in giving a more professional representation of the business as opposed to having a Gmail email address.
To understand better here is a very clear example; instead of having frank@gmail.com you could have frank.sales@domain.com this can be done for all the departments the business has. Emails with domain names are more likely taken seriously compared to Gmail emails.
There are several types of domains that an institution can choose from e.g. .com, .org, .mw, .net etc. based on the kind of business you are running. E.g. domains for .com, are commonly used for any type of business, .org is used for organisation while .net is mostly used for network organisations etc.
A little confusion comes along when you are making a decision to pick up the right domain but one thing, you must always keep in mind is that picking up the right domain is the first step you can take to help set up a path for a successful online business journey. Considering all this, below are some helpful tips that a business should consider when choosing a domain name:
As a domain name represents your business, choosing one that clearly reflects your business helps enhance your digital presence on the internet. It is very important to choose a domain reflecting your brand so that your audience and targeted audience can find you easily.
Make sure you choose a domain that is short and easy to remember. If your domain is long and complex, you risk customers mistyping or misspelling, which may result in landing on the wrong pages.
Using keywords relevant to your business and industry can help to make it easier for people to track you among many websites, hence helping to improve search engine results.
Numbers and hyphens are easily misunderstood when included in a domain name because people can easily misinterpret numerals, e.g., people can mistake a numerical 5 for spelled out as five.
In conclusion, the choice of your domain name gives a picture to your audience that you mean business, and it gives your business instant credibility while putting you in the same online marketplace as your largest competitors. So it’s very important to make the right choice when choosing a domain name.
At Freelance Web Solutions, you can acquire a brand–new domain name for your website for a cost you’ll love. You’re able to choose from universal and country–code domain extensions.
The digital world is getting enhanced every single day and with the look of things, companies in Malawi ought to prioritize having a digital presence. Research shows that having a website can increase sales by 45% and over 80 percent of consumers do research online before buying a product or acquiring your services. And, having a website that is effective – which accurately reflects your brand is very important.
However, having recognized the importance of having a digital presence, many companies and organizations have boldly come to us and the first question they ask is the cost of having a website and only a small percentage ask the benefits of having one.
To begin with, the cost of your website will depend on your requirements such as the number and type of features you need etc. It’s impossible to justify a certain price without having an overview of your requirements. We believe that every company has its own set of unique requirements that are in alignment with the company’s objectives. This is what determines the pricing strategy.
The nature of a specific company’s requirements also attracts the complexity or simplicity of the website creation which also determines the costs. For example, some companies just need to display their information and provide contact details, this would cost way less compared to others. It’s like going to a car dealer and asking about the cost of a car. Before you go any further the car dealer will ask about the kind of car you need and your budget.
Only when you describe what you need and your budget, will the car dealer help you to locate the perfect car for you. Your specifications will determine the cost of the car too. It works the same way with web development, unless you say what you want and the specifications you need, will you be effectively assisted. How much you will spend on your website project also depends on whether you want to build the website yourself or you want to hire someone.
Either way, the costs incurred are different. For example, if you hire someone, the cost will depend on what (Content Management System) (CMS) he will use if he is designing or developing from scratch, etc. This will determine how much time he will take to complete your project.
Nevertheless, there are four features that contribute to the costs of your website development namely;
Initially, before any steps have been taken to develop any website, developers need to understand what you want to achieve by developing the website. What specific goals you are hoping to achieve by developing your website? Do you just want your information on the website or you are looking for an advanced website that automatically does the work for you?
The more complex your objective is the more the costs increase. A small static information website can cost you from MK200,000 while a dynamic website with more functionalities can cost you around MK800,000 and above. But again, the cost of the design and development will totally depend on what type of website you want determined by your business goals.
Of course, there are website builders that allow you to create a simple basic website in no time with minimal costs however, if you have a plan to scale, it is not a recommended solution because you will end up paying more than expected as you will be required to hire someone experienced to add more complex functionalities on that platform. You can fill out our questionnaire here to get an accurate quote for your next project.
A domain name is a unique internet identity that can be used only by you. It is actually the address that people type in a web browser to access your website. To ensure you have intellectual rights to the domain name, you have to register it for a minimum of one year and it is expected to be renewed every year. If you don’t renew it, you lose the rights, and is available to be registered by other entities.
The price of the domain depends on the extension you want to register i.e .COM, .ORG, .MW etc. The charges generally cover the maintenance cost of the accredited domain registry entity. You can acquire your brand-new domain from us by clicking here.
Web Hosting is defined as the service of providing the computer equipment and software for a website on the internet and making it available for people to see. This computer is called a server on which you can store all the files and data necessary for your website to work properly. The server is always connected to the internet so that your website can be found 24/7/365 as long as you continue paying for this service.
Without a hosting service, your website cannot be accessible on the internet. When buying a web hosting service, there are some factors you need to check properly. These include and are not limited to: Bandwidth – the limit of user traffic your website can have Storage – how much space you will need depending on the size of your website files Scalability – if you run out of space, can you easily upgrade without any hassles? Support – how quickly you will be assisted when you have an issue with your service Backup – does the website provide full backups in case you are hacked or run into a certain problem Business emails – Does your hosting package come with free business emails or do you have to pay separately?
There are many companies out there providing free hosting services however it is not recommended for business websites because the chances of people stealing your data is high. At Freelance Web Solutions we have affordable hosting packages from only Mk4,000 a month.
Your website needs to be updated regularly – either by uploading new content or fixing bugs. Take it as a car which needs service every now and then. You can learn more about website maintenance services here. The cost of this service from Freelance Website is between MK5,000 to MK55,000 a month depending on the maintenance tasks to be carried out on the website.
Other things to consider:
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a green padlock symbol that you see in a web browser indicating the website is secure to browse. It protects the exchange of valuable information visitors send to or receive from a website e.g through filling a contact or quote form. In 2017, Google started flagging websites with no SSL certificates – telling users that the website they are trying to visit is not secure and encouraging them not to proceed or do any action like filling out a form etc.
When you’ve got an SSL certificate protecting your site, your customers can rest assured that the information they enter on any secured page is encrypted and cannot be hijacked by others. So, it is a must that each website should have an SSL certificate. You can get an SSL certificate for free with any of our hosting packages. However, other websites like those offering payment gateways may need paid SSL Certificates. You can always reach out to us and ask which SSL certificate is right for you.
However, a free SSL Certificate is enough for small & medium-sized businesses and startups as they don’t need payment gateways.
By now I am sure you have a clear picture of how much your website may cost you and how far stretched your budget should be. Regardless of the costs, a website really elevates your sales experience and every expenditure returns to you multiplied increasing ROI.
Check out here the effectiveness of owning a website. If you have further inquiries, please don’t hesitate to inform us, we’d be glad to hear from you.
