Cumbria Growth Hub have recently announced UKSPF grant funding for advice vouchers of £500 or £1000, which can be used to fund your next website project or digital marketing campaigns with Social Ant. Find out more on this link and apply for a voucher soon, as it’s first come first served – find out more.
Whether you need small improvements to your existing one or you need a website to be built from scratch, this grant can mean the lifeline if you are a small business owner who might very well be enthusiastic about their business itself but is not too experienced in the area of website management.
AM I ELIGIBLE?
But who can actually enjoy these vouchers as a way into an improved business life? If you are a small business owner, of any sector, and located in the Cumberland Council area, this is your chance to apply and get funded. And, with this grant you can even apply if you have received funding last year, but, your application will only be considered if all eligible new-comer businesses have received their vouchers already.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD WEBSITE?
Now that you got your funding, it’s time to discuss what actually makes a good website. Sure, your consultant will advise you on that but it is better to head into the process with some initial knowledge.
A website is a tool for information. It is the mirror of your brand. It introduces your business and allows visitors to build a trusted relationship with your brand. Which is why; having a well-working website that contains relevant information and is in coherence with your brand identity is a non-negligible part of owning a business; small or big. While I do appreciate, it might feel like a dread having to set it up, updating it all the time, a website is a potential customer’s guide map to finding you and the reasons they should trust you and your brand.
Regardless of the sector, there are some ‘requirements’ of all good websites. You, of course, have to have a homepage. This page should include what the business does and what it offers. Including reviews to build the necessary trust can also tip the scales from an average to a good website. Then, another page should talk more about your business. For instance, how long have you been in business? Why has it become your passion? What do customers love the most about your services or products? Then, as the last important website content that is not dependent on the sector of the business is: contact. Where can customers find you if it is a physical location? What is your email address and your phone number? Depending on the business, it might also be beneficial to include a gallery, portfolio, a booking page, and so on.
As a rule of thumb, throughout the website design, it is important to establish a brand colour palette. If you have already been applying certain colours through social media, following the same appearance would be a good idea. The brand colours should be applied throughout the pages, the fonts, and the style of the images if there are any.
HOW CAN WE HELP?
At Social Ant, we are excited to potentially help you out with your brand-new website project. Whether that is a simple introductory website or one with more complex features, we can and will create a website for you that not only you but all your customers will fall in love with. Check out our website design case studies & get in touch.