3 Keys To Great Business Websites

Websites are the best, most affordable, yet underused marketing tool for small businesses, entrepreneurs and artists looking to promote and sell. However, the web can only work for small businesses if their websites are affordable, attractive and effective. Let's start by addressing those biases for what business websites should be:

Affordable

Custom web design usually costs thousands of dollars. Some of the best web development companies charge on average $3,000-5,000 just to start talking. Many charge a lot more. That's hardly affordable for most small businesses. Web design should be affordable.

Attractive

An affordable website shouldn't mean an ugly website. You should be proud of your site -- proud enough to make it your number one marketing tool. It should be attractive, appealing and representative of who you and your business are. It should give customers confidence and not leave people rolling their eyes at outdated styles.

Effective

A pretty website is nothing if it isn't effective. If all you have is eye candy, you're wasting your time. We wholeheartedly and fundamentally believe that your website should do something for your business. A lot of beautiful websites with music and fancy graphics have won awards, but those sites are useless if you can't find information and accomplish something. Small businesses can't afford to have websites that don't deliver. With that foundation in mind, let's move on to the seven keys to a successful website.