How to get a website for your home baking business
In part two of my website series I’m focusing on the ‘how’ when it comes to setting yourself up with a website for your baking business. If video is your thing, click above to learn all about designers vs DIY-ing and how to plan your content. Otherwise, read on…
There are really just two options when it comes to building a website for your business and that’s hiring a web designer, or doing it yourself.
Within that there are still different levels, do you get a basic design package or a full bells and whistles. Do you learn website code, or do you use a web builder? Whatever path you choose, it will start with hiring someone or doing it yourself.
Pros & Cons of using a designer:
PROS
•A professional design
•No figuring things out yourself
•Takes the stress out of it
They can deal with any technical difficulties
CONS
•Cost
•Still required time and input from you
•May always need a designer to update the site
Pros & Cons of DIY-ing:
PROS
•Free! (kind of…)
•You’re completely in control
•If you build it yourself you’ll be able to maintain and update
•Can take your time and grow into it
CONS
•Time away from fulfilling orders
•Need to learn new skills
•Time consuming
•Design may not look as you want it
Note, although I listed one of the ‘pros’ is that it’s free, it sort of isn’t at the same time. Any time away from your main money generator is losing money, so when you’re not making cakes you’re not making any money. The flip side to that is that in business, you have to spend time on marketing. So although you’re not technically getting paid for building your website, you pricing should take into account time spent on marketing your business.
What to consider when working with a designer:
SELECTING A DESIGNER
•Don’t just consider their prices
•Check their folio
•Get a feel for their personality through social media
•Arrange a consultation call to see if you click
•Ask about post handover support
WORKING WITH A DESIGNER
•Consider what you want from your website
•Have a batch of high quality images to use
•Gather together all of your text and copy
•Agree to a schedule at the start
What to consider when DIY-ing:
SELECTING YOUR PLATFORM
•Research different options: WordPress, SquareSpace, ShowIt, Wix
•What platform matches your current tech skills
•Budget
Courses/tutorials
PLANNING YOUR WEBSITE
•Consider what you want from your website
•Think about taking the user on a journey through your site
•Have a batch of high quality images to use
•Gather together all of your text and copy
Whichever route you choose you will have to spend time planning your website, how it will look, what you want out of it, as well as gathering together images and text. To help you out, I have a free website planning guide available to members of my Facebook group. Click the link below to join.
