Website Design and Development
Website Development UNALIKE Any Other
So you need a new website, or at least think you do. It's the quick fix marketers love to throw at you because it's the biggest bang for their pocketbook. What you really need to be asking are the tough questions about why a new website is needed and the platform that will be best for you. It's not a one-size-fits-all project, so learn more before you subscribe to that generic template that will be dated and you'll hate in 6 months. That's where we come in.
Why Do You Need A New Website
I would venture to say the internet is here to stay. Though some small businesses have still been able to get away without one, a website is absolutely vital to anyone conducting commerce in North America. The question then becomes when is it time to upgrade that website to get more site visitors. Though many agencies will always say let’s sign you up for a new one, at Unalike Marketing we prefer sharing several reasons so you can make an informed opinion on your website needs. Start by flagging if you need the following:
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Increased visibility
A website provides a platform for you to showcase your products, services or content to a large and potentially global audience.
Credibility and Trust
Having a professional and well-designed website can help build credibility and trust with customers and other stakeholders.
Cost-effectiveness
A website can be a cost-effective way to reach and communicate with a large audience, compared to traditional forms of advertising or marketing.
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Marketing and Advertising
A website can serve as an effective tool for marketing and advertising your business, products, or services.
Customer Communication
A website can provide a platform for customers to learn about your business, ask questions, and provide feedback.
Online Sales
An e-commerce website allows you to sell products or services online, providing a convenient and accessible shopping experience for customers.
Data Collection and Analysis
A website can also be used to collect and analyze data, such as website traffic and customer behaviour, which can inform decision-making and business strategy.
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What Is The Best Platform To Build Your Business’ Website On
The best platform to build a business website depends on several factors, including the type and size of your business, your budget, technical expertise, and design preferences. Some popular options include:
WordPress
It is a user-friendly and customizable platform, ideal for small to medium-sized businesses. Though the web design is less drag and drop than a beginner may be ready for.
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Shopify
It is a popular e-commerce platform, suitable for online stores and businesses selling products.
Wix
It is a beginner-friendly website builder, good for small businesses or personal sites. Heck that's even what this site you're reading right now was built on.
Squarespace
It is a platform that emphasizes design and aesthetic appeal, making it a good option for creative businesses and portfolios.
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Webflow
It is a platform that combines design flexibility with CMS functionality, suitable for businesses looking for a custom website with advanced features.
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React
If you are a true developer this has become the gold standard. Fully customizable creative, but labour intensive. Even minor changes such as adding a blog will require developer time.
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Ultimately, the best platform for you will depend on your specific needs and goals, so it's important to research and compare different options before making a decision.
How Long Does It Take To Develop A Business Website
The time it takes to develop a business website depends on several factors, such as the size and complexity of the site, the number of pages, the content management system, the web design and features, and the availability of resources. Here are some rough estimates:
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Simple brochure-style website (5-10 pages): 1-2 weeks
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Medium-sized business website (10-20 pages): 3-6 weeks
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Large, custom-designed e-commerce site: 6-12 weeks or more
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Note that these estimates can vary significantly based on the specific requirements of your project, the development team's experience and availability, and any unforeseen challenges or changes along the way. It's also important to factor in time for testing, debugging, and making any necessary revisions to the site’s performance.
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Keep in mind that developing a high-quality website that meets your business needs can take time and effort, but if you complete the project with a reputable vendor like Unalike Marketing, your end result will be worth it for the online presence and credibility it provides for your business.
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How To Build A New Website That Ranks High
To build a new website that ranks high in search engines you will likely need to leverage multiple digital marketing initiatives, but as a start, you can follow these best practices:
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Conduct keyword research
Determine what keywords and phrases your target audience is searching for and optimize your content and metadata accordingly.
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Use a mobile-friendly and responsive design
With the majority of web traffic coming from mobile devices, it's crucial to have a website that is optimized for mobile.
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Optimize your website's load time
A slow-loading website can negatively impact your search engine rankings and user experience.
Use descriptive and keyword-rich URLs, page titles, and meta descriptions
These elements help search engines understand the content of your pages.
Create high-quality and unique content
Search engines favour websites with valuable, informative, and original content.
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Build quality backlinks
Having other high-quality websites link to your site can improve your search engine ranking and back-end SEO.
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Make your website easy to navigate
A user-friendly site structure can help search engines understand the content and hierarchy of your web pages.
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Monitor and track your website's performance
Use tools such as Google Search Console and Google Analytics to monitor your website's performance and identify areas for improvement.
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By following these best practices, you can improve your website's visibility and ranking in search engines and attract more qualified traffic to your site.
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What Are Website Maintenance Duties
Web maintenance is the art of keeping a site up-to-date and secure. Whether that be from hackers or as simple as installed SSL certificates. These duties typically include:
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Content updates: Adding, modifying or deleting text, images, videos, and other content on the website.
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Security management: Installing and updating security software to prevent hacking and other security threats.
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Software updates: Keeping the website's platform, themes, plugins and other software components up-to-date.
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Performance optimization: Monitoring the website's load time and making adjustments to improve speed and reliability.
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Backup and recovery: Regularly backing up the website's data and having a plan in place for disaster recovery is a great way to avoid vulnerabilities.
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Analytics tracking: Monitoring and analyzing website traffic and performance data to make informed decisions.
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Broken link checks: Regularly checking the website for broken links and fixing them.
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Mobile compatibility: Ensuring that the website is fully functional and accessible on mobile devices.
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Compliance: Keeping the website compliant with legal and industry standards.
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Web hosting: There are a variety of platforms to host a site on and three types in general; dedicated hosting, cloud hosting and shared hosting. Ensure your website maintenance cost has you subscribed to the option best for your type of website.
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How Often Do Websites Need Maintenance Services
The frequency of website maintenance services depends on various factors, such as the size and complexity of the website, the rate of changes and updates, and the criticality of the website to your business.
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Typically, websites should be maintained on a regular basis, at least once a month, to ensure optimal performance, security, and compliance. More complex websites or those with a higher volume of updates may require more frequent maintenance.
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It is also recommended to schedule regular check-ups and audits, such as quarterly or bi-annual, to identify any technical issues that could hurt your uptime and to make sure the website is aligned with your business goals and objectives.​ The frequency of website maintenance should be determined based on the specific needs and requirements of your website and business.
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Why Are Website Maintenance Packages Important
Website maintenance packages are important for several reasons:
Improved User Experience
Regular maintenance ensures that the website is fast, reliable and easy to navigate, providing a better user experience for visitors.
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Increased Website Security
By regularly updating security software and monitoring for potential threats, you can reduce the risk of hacking and other security breaches.
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Better Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
A well-maintained website with fresh, relevant content will perform better in search engine results, leading to increased traffic and visibility.
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Compliance
Regular maintenance helps ensure that your website is compliant with industry standards, legal requirements and other regulations.
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Cost-effectiveness
Regular maintenance can help prevent costly problems from developing, such as security breaches or website downtime, which can have a significant impact on your business.
Brand Reputation
A well-maintained website reflects positively on your brand and can help build trust and credibility with customers and other stakeholders.​
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In conclusion, regular website maintenance is crucial for ensuring that your website is secure, performing optimally, and aligned with your business goals and objectives.
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What Type Of Marketing Agency Is Best For Website Development
The type of agency that is best for website build and development depends on your specific needs and goals. Here are some factors to consider when choosing an marketing agency:
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Niche expertise: Some agencies specialize in specific industries or niches, such as healthcare, education, or e-commerce, and have a deeper understanding of the unique needs and challenges of those markets. This includes fresh content to industry-specific metrics.
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Size and scale: Larger agencies may have more resources and expertise to throw at an SEO strategy,, while smaller agencies may offer a more personalized and flexible approach.
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Technical expertise: Choose an agency that has a strong track record of delivering high-quality, technically sound websites that meet your specific requirements. Pay attention to one that has ongoing maintenance contracts to assist with security updates, redirects and hosting services.
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Design and creativity: Consider an agency that has a strong design and creative vision, as well as the technical skills to bring your vision to life. To some business owners the look of the site might be the most important, be sure not to overrate this item.
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Budget: Choose an agency that fits within your budget and offers a clear and transparent pricing structure.
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Collaboration and communication: Look for an agency that is easy to work with, communicates effectively and openly, and is committed to your success. This can be as simple as giving you direction and advice on the best domain name to use.​
Ready to Turn Your Website Into a Digital Powerhouse? Contact Unalike Marketing Today
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We are a little biased, but at Unalike Marketing we are generally the best type of agency for website build and development because we base the project on your specific needs and goals. If you need specific expertise, we’ll seek it out. If you’re ready for something off the shelf, let’s get you going sooner than later. We always recommend to take the time to research and compare agencies, and choose the one that is the best fit for your project.
