Hi All,
I'm helping a friend set up their new business and would like some assistance on how to do it professionally. Its a services based one. What do you recommend I use to set up a website and professional logo that will be marketed in other mediums? Is godaddy suitable for this or another platform? Their own domain and email address is also required.
Any other tips appreciated.
Website Startup Queries
sagrules on 10/07/2023 - 12:31
Last edited 10/07/2023 - 12:32 by 1 other user
Last edited 10/07/2023 - 12:32 by 1 other user
Comments
Its a professional services company. I will ask what the budget is from my friend but I need guidance on what these type of services tend to cost. The website is not going to be processing payments or anything like that, so mainly for people to seek information about the company and contact page for queries.
Also what is considered a reputable company to seek these services from?
I will ask what the budget is from my friend but I need guidance on what these type of services tend to cost.
For something basic, $3-$5K
Is this for a business that has its own location? You can use Google Business Profile generated page as your website, will have basic details and main contact information.
https://support.google.com/business/answer/7032839?hl=en
https://www.searchenginejournal.com/website-google-business-…You can customise some details, but not everything. For a simple informational website, it works.
would like some assistance on how to do it professionally.
Hire a professional.
professional logo
and a professional graphic designer too, usually they can do the theme which inc for printing materials.
I'd recommend paying for a good website. A good website can make a bad business look legit, but a good business with a bad website will look like crap. A good website is like showing up to a client with a new car and clean suit, vs an old bomb with smashed out windows and a wifebeater with (profanity) stains on it. But of course you could save a few bucks by making your own on Squarespace or whatever, but will you saving a few bucks end up costing your friend even more in lost potential business?
Yes I agree with this, that's why im asking for recommendations on what is a suitable alternative? Who would you recommend or where can I find this information?
You could Google. Just remember that bad website designers can have good high ranking websites too, ironically.
I'm still baffled that posts like these still pop up. Just use square space. Pick a template and write a few things. It will look clean and get the job done at a fraction of a fraction of the cost of those wordpress custom websites that are mostly garbage.
Some of the slickest websites on the web are Wordpress based. 43.2% of all websites on the internet are Wordpress based. Wordpress makes it easier for people to make updates themselves, vs a static html site which the average punter would have no chance of changing some text themselves. But even with Squarespace, which is a better option if you want to avoid ongoing costs, you would want to pay a designer to make you a good site. I've seen so many sites, Wordpress and Squarespace based, where they obviously took a nice template and tried to cram in their own info and design and it obviously doesn't work. I've even seen great designs on Wix but they weren't just a random template with text swapped out.
Has your friend got an ABN?
Anglican Bishop Nightwear ?
Why are you asking?
Yes everything on that end has been done.
To give you a rough idea you'll be looking at around $3000 to $4000 for a website and Logo depending on requirements and how large the agency is, if its a small agency $2500 might be a good ball park budget to work with but if you go with a large agency with CBD office space and separate teams for everything you can double that budget or triple it some will charge you $5000 just for the Logo.
Don't worry about pricing too much most decent agencies will let you pay off the cost over 6 months and will let you do three or four payments so that $2500 or $4000 becomes 4 payments of $1000. Some businesses pay close to $900 a month to rent office space so $4000 for a website is nothing really.
Plus its fully tax deductible.It depends on what niche and audience you're targeting..If its e-commerce its better if you use Shopify or Woocommerce of WordPress,
If selling services, I strongly suggest use Funnels..You can choose between GoHighLevel and Clickfunnels but I love the GHL services coz it has all you need..
For the designs..there are many AI's that can generate your logos professionally..
You need to set up your ranking as well on Google so you should have a better SEO. Believe me I've seen such a simple site but it ranks well on Google and seen an amazing site but they are hiding on the 10th page of google.
I sent you a PM.
Would recommend squarespace, will be the cheapest hassle-free option. Might be worth getting a graphic designer to do a good logo because that will be around for a while.
If the business takes off and you feel squarespace is limiting you (i.e. you want some custom designs) then look into paying a designer/dev. No point overdoing it in the early stages of a biz - all you need is something professional and functional to prove the idea out.
Thanks for this suggestion, I will have a closer look at their services
I build websites for clients so keeping that in mind….
Most of the issues I see are with hosting and plugins. Ensure that you have good hosting with SSD storage and comes with FREE SSL! you don't really need to pay for SSL which is something I see so often. Most good hosts provide that for free or ask your web dev. Plugins and themes from some of the clients that have moved over to me are horrendous. 30 plugins for a website with some pages, contact form and images are crazy. Give web dev enough details to know the ideal stack to use, design to follow, things you need so you save costs in long run too. For example, if I knew a client would be editing the site themselves etc I'll use a easytouse page builder, if I know they value speed - we going default Gutenberg, if they want bit of both, we going etc etc etc. If you're DIYing it, I'd say skip WordPress and use something easy like Squarespace with their template. Otherwise use a web dev to build your websites. Emails are important too so even though you can use the email hosting from web host, I typically put clients up on Google Workspace or Microsoft 365/Exchange. Makes it easier for clients in the future and myself. I Personally wouldn't suggest using a EIG/Newfold company like GoDaddy for several reasons some being overpriced services, slow servers, slow dns response, meh support. Graphic design and logo services may also be offered by some agencies but make sure you (your firend) has an idea of a design they like etc and get genrous amount of concepts too choose from :)For a fair idea of a local Aus agency service + pricing, check Lightning Sites. Their basic build (BYO images and copy) is $1,499 plus monthly costs that include hosting and a website refresh every 24 months. There are agencies priced much higher and much lower. (I have no commercial relationship with them.)
Industry? audience? budget?