Importance of Taking Your Business Online Today
Consider Online Traffic
As COVID-19 continues to reshape the global landscape, it’s essential for every business, no matter how big or small, to be prepared for the present and future. Under such unfortunate circumstances, having a good website capable of handling and supporting online sales and establishing your online presence has never been more relevant today.
Why Refresh Your Brand and Get Online?
We have enumerated a few reasons to refresh your brand and get your business online to prepare for situations like this. With a website with e-commerce capabilities, you can expect your business to show no signs of slowing down — despite the crisis.
Consider Online Traffic
Typically, people would head to stores, stock up on needed supplies, make purchases, then call it a day. Since we’re all under quarantine, foot traffic would be nearly impossible in this climate. Although foot traffic has tremendously decreased, online traffic should increase. The most logical solution is to adapt to this new ‘wave’ by setting up a website with the necessary capabilities your business needs to start operating again.
Maintaining Momentum
An excellent online presence and e-commerce site will allow you to keep your business up and running and maintain relevant relationships with your loyal customers so they do not forget about you. A bonus? Your company acquires a newfound ability to reach more customers. Don’t just hope for the best; keep your business momentum going.
Accessibility
So you have your social media page set up. That should be the end of the line. Wrong. Although social media can be great for having an outlet for new customers to verify your business credibility through your existing following, having an e-commerce website increases your accessibility.
Suppose your business used to face challenges in competing with global competitors. In that case, you’ll have a leg up on the big box competition by providing products and materials locally instead from overseas suppliers. But without having an e-commerce website to sell your product, it won’t matter how much supply you have.
The Impact of Having a Good Website
Simply getting your business online and having a good website will help your business have a fighting chance of flourishing despite the predicament we’re currently in. COVID-19 wouldn’t be the first crisis to keep people from leaving their homes, and it certainly won’t be the last. It is essential that if such a situation happens again, you won’t have to brace yourself and your business for the full impact.
How BRIGHTSAND Designs Can Help
No matter where you are currently in your business, at BRIGHTSAND Designs, we make it our mission to make your business’ online transition easy and possible. From starting a new e-commerce design or simply refreshing your current one, we will provide the best strategy to fit best and benefit your business long-term.
Adapting to this new economic shift may have brought us new challenges in operating our business, but maintaining a business despite it is not impossible. The right mindset should be to “think physical distancing, not social distancing.”
With our expertise in web design, e-commerce solutions, and digital marketing strategies, we can guide your business through this transformative journey. To learn more about how we can help you establish a strong online presence and navigate the digital landscape, visit our What We Do page. Embrace the potential of the digital era and ensure your business's success in the ever-evolving world.
Four Reasons Why You Should Use WordPress to Build Your Website
If you find yourself wondering, “Why should I use WordPress?” “Why can’t I just use the drag-and-drop builder platforms?” “Isn’t WordPress a blogging platform?”. In this article, we discuss the four primary reasons why it is the number one website-building interface and how using this platform to build your website will cost you much lesser should you choose to do so.
WordPress is the most popular open source Content Management System (CMS). Used by more than 53% of the websites, which are approximately 28 million live websites. An outstanding number if you think about it. There’s a reason why all those sites chose WordPress.
The Simplicity of the WordPress Dashboard
The main reason why WordPress is so popular is that it meets the demands of many users in terms of flexibility. It has a user-friendly interface that is designed for non-tech-savvy users. Once installed, you can get started right away by adding pages and posts on your site.
WordPress has a massive support ecosystem for anything and everything related to WordPress, like tutorials and even a dedicated support forum. This means that not only do you maintain complete control over your site, but you also receive great support.
However, don’t get confused when you find 2 types of WordPress websites. WordPress.com is a blog hosting solution. You’ll use this if you don’t have a domain and just want a blog. The downside is the features are limited. WordPress.org, however, is a self-hosted platform. This is what you will need if you want your own domain and hosting. This is where you can build your website on.
WordPress is Versatile
It can be used in many different ways, here’s a list of the limitless types of websites you can build with it:
- Blog or personal websites
- Business websites
- E-commerce sites
- Membership sites
- Business directory
- News portal
- Social network
- Job board
- Portfolio
- Forum/Community
- Auction & coupon sites
- Wiki/Knowledgebase sites
- Affiliate sites
- e-Learning sites
And the list goes on. All of which are easily achieved with plugins and themes. So, for instance, if you want to make an e-commerce platform for your business, you simply install an e-commerce plugin, like WooCommerce, and install a theme to make it look nice.
You are also able to customize the look and feel of your website should you want to further work on the theme you like, which is not possible for other web platforms. Other drag-and-drop websites may promise a customizable website, but it is still limited to the available theme found on their website. Moreover, it comes with a hefty subscription bill which will cost you more in the long run.
Plugins
When it comes to adding features and functionality to your site, you’ll most likely be going to need a plugin for it. There are more than 55,000 plugins out there. This massive ecosystem of plugins beats out all of the other content management systems. Those are just the official extensions from its directory. There are still more than that offered by third parties.
It’s Free and Open-Source
WordPress is an open-source software that has been around since 2003. It’s free for everyone to download.
First, you’ll need to purchase a domain name and web hosting.
All you have to do is easily download it from the WordPress.org website. Once done, you can then upload on to your hosting and use it to create your very own website. Or you can simply install it from your hosting, most reputable hosts have one-click installation buttons for getting WordPress running within minutes.
Compare that to the cheapest ad-free plan of Wix, which is $12.50/mo.
A domain name is the address of your website on the internet, something like brightsanddesigns.com. This is what your will users type in their browser’s address bar to view your website.
You cannot run a website without web hosting. It is the space allotted where you can store all your website files.
Think of it as the domain name is your address, and your web hosting is your house.
We recommend using FastComet. They have great support and competitive pricing. We’ve used them for years now, their chat support and freebies are what sold us to use them. No regrets there!
We hope this article answers your question. These are just 4 of the many reasons why it is the solution for anyone wishing to build a website. If someone asks you the same question, just send them our way.
Give it a try, and let us know what you think.
If you liked this article, then please like us on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram & LinkedIn.
The Vital Role of Online Presence: Why Taking Your Business Online Today is Essential
As COVID-19 continues to impact businesses of all sizes, being prepared for the present and the future is crucial. In these unfortunate circumstances, establishing a strong online presence with a capable website that supports online sales has become more relevant than ever.
Consider Online Traffic
Traditionally, customers visited physical stores to make purchases, but the current quarantine situation has drastically reduced foot traffic. However, online traffic is on the rise. To adapt to this new wave, setting up a website with the necessary e-commerce capabilities is the logical solution for your business to start operating again.
Maintaining Momentum
Having a robust online presence and e-commerce site not only allows your business to continue operating but also helps maintain meaningful relationships with loyal customers. Additionally, going online opens up opportunities to reach a broader audience, extending your business's reach and customer base. Don't just hope for the best; proactively keep your business momentum going.
Accessibility
While a social media presence is valuable for engaging existing followers, having an e-commerce website takes accessibility to a whole new level. Overcoming challenges in competing with global competitors becomes possible by providing products and materials locally instead of relying on overseas suppliers. However, without an e-commerce website, your supply may not reach its full potential.
Simply getting your business online with a well-designed website can help your business flourish despite the current predicament of COVID-19. Remember, this won't be the last crisis to impact consumer behavior, so preparing your business for any future challenges is essential.
At BRIGHTSAND Designs, we are dedicated to making your business's online transition easy and successful. Whether you're starting a new e-commerce design or refreshing your current one, we will provide the best strategy to benefit your business in the long run.
Adapting to this new economic shift may present challenges, but maintaining a business in spite of it is not impossible. The right mindset should be to "think physical distancing, not social distancing." Let us help you unlock the full potential of your business online and navigate these changes with confidence.
Navigating Business Growth during COVID-19: Strategies for Success in a Time of Corona
COVID-19 is testing us all. With the understanding that we might not be out of the woods for a few months or more, businesses of all sizes are struggling to find their place and footing in this challenging climate. In this article, we will provide brief but essential insights on how you can keep your business moving forward by building up your brand, protecting your staff, and staying true to your values during this time of coronavirus.
Connecting with Your Customers during a Crisis
Digital marketing has proven to be incredibly beneficial during this crisis, regardless of the type of business you run. As more people stay at home, they increasingly rely on online purchases and information gathering. E-commerce businesses, in particular, have experienced less impact compared to physical stores and services. Therefore, taking your business online or improving your online presence is crucial for growth and maintaining customer engagement. Maximizing your return on investment can be achieved by increasing website traffic, social media presence, and brand awareness through paid social and Google Ads.
Extending your budget to digital marketing has nothing but long-term benefits for your business. It may come with a few challenges, but it is a strategic and effective step that your business can rely on as we approach a 'new normal'.
Refreshing Your Brand and Improving Your Customer Experience (CX)
While honoring your values and authenticity at your core, businesses should consider pivoting their strategies during these times. This period of uncertainty allows for reflection on values and mission, leading to innovative ways to engage customers, employees, or clients.
Brand maintenance is important, but a brand refresh can make a significant impact. Utilize this opportunity to refresh your brand or website to prepare for the future. The increased online attention allows for making small or significant changes to enhance the customer journey. Tidy up your social media profiles and keep customers informed about what to look forward to with your products, services, or company updates. These seemingly small adjustments can steer potential and loyal customers in your direction.
If you feel overwhelmed and unsure about where and how to make these changes, we can help. Our team can assess your existing strategy, understand your challenges, and propose competitive solutions to maximize your website and online presence for your customers.
Remember, you don't have to go through this alone. Get in touch with our team at BRIGHTSAND designs, a full-service creative digital agency. We can help you build, create, and maintain long-term customer engagements and sales through online-driven solutions for your business. With our end-to-end creative and digital marketing services, your business can maintain momentum and reach customers despite the ongoing pandemic.
This pandemic is just a short-term phase in our timeline, and having a steady, long-term marketing plan is exactly what your business needs today. The sense of security will return, towns and cities will reopen, and people will carry on with their lives as if none of this ever happened. When that time comes, your customers will know EXACTLY where to go.
Unlocking the Power of WordPress: Four Compelling Reasons to Build Your Website with This Versatile Platform
COVID-19 is testing us all. With the understanding that we might not be out of the woods for a few months or more, businesses of all sizes are struggling to find their place and footing in this challenging climate. In this article, we will discuss the four primary reasons why WordPress is the number one website-building interface and how using this platform to build your website can save you a significant amount of money.
The Simplicity of the WordPress Dashboard
The main reason behind WordPress's popularity is its ability to meet the demands of many users with its flexibility. It boasts a user-friendly interface designed for non-tech-savvy users, allowing them to get started immediately by adding pages and posts to their site.
WordPress has a massive support ecosystem covering everything related to WordPress, including tutorials and a dedicated support forum. This means you not only maintain complete control over your site but also receive excellent support.
However, it's essential to distinguish between two types of WordPress websites. WordPress.com is a blog hosting solution, suitable if you don't have a domain and only want a blog. However, it has limited features. On the other hand, WordPress.org is a self-hosted platform, and this is what you'll need if you want your domain and hosting to build your website.
WordPress is Versatile
WordPress can be used in many different ways. Here's a list of limitless types of websites you can build with it:
- Blog or personal websites
- Business websites
- E-commerce sites
- Membership sites
- Business directory
- News portal
- Social network
- Job board
- Portfolio
- Forum/Community
- Auction & coupon sites
- Wiki/Knowledgebase sites
- Affiliate sites
- e-Learning sites
The list goes on, and all of these can be easily achieved with plugins and themes. For instance, if you want to create an e-commerce platform for your business, you simply install an e-commerce plugin like WooCommerce and apply a theme to make it look appealing.
With WordPress, you can also customize the look and feel of your website, something not easily achievable on other web platforms. Other drag-and-drop website builders may promise customization, but they are still limited to the available themes found on their platform and often come with a hefty subscription bill, costing you more in the long run.
Plugins
When it comes to adding features and functionality to your site, you'll most likely need a plugin for it. There are more than 55,000 plugins available, making up a massive ecosystem that outperforms all other content management systems. These include official extensions from its directory and many more offered by third parties.
It's Free and Open-Source
WordPress is open-source software that has been around since 2003, and it's free for everyone to download.
To get started, you'll need to purchase a domain name and web hosting.
Simply download WordPress from the WordPress.org website and upload it to your hosting to create your website. Many reputable hosts offer one-click installation buttons to get WordPress running within minutes.
Compare that to the cheapest ad-free plan of Wix, which costs $12.50/mo.
A domain name is the address of your website on the internet, such as brightsanddesigns.com. This is what users will type in their browser's address bar to view your website.
You cannot run a website without web hosting. It is the space allotted where you can store all your website files.
Think of it as the domain name being your address and your web hosting being your house.
We recommend using FastComet for great support and competitive pricing. We've used them for years, and their chat support and freebies are what sold us on using them. No regrets there!
We hope this article answered your questions. These are just four of the many reasons why WordPress is the ideal solution for anyone wishing to build a website. If someone asks you the same question, just send them our way.
Give it a try, and let us know what you think.