Hi, I’m Emily
I work with businesses to help them create simple and effective digital marketing solutions. No jargon or gimmicks. Just a proven framework that your audience will love.
Specialising in, and combining, Web Design, Copywriting & Branding.
Why Every Small Business Needs a
Professional, Optimised Website in 2024
(and how achieving one is easier and more affordable than you think)…As business owners, we all have the same marketing goal: To capture the attention of our target audience and compel them to take action. The question is, which is the most effective way for us to achieve this, sustainably and within a realistic budget?
A website is a comprehensive approach to the above, as it can help you communicate important information, quickly and succinctly - exactly what’s needed in a busy, online space. People want content that’s easy to access and, most importantly, valuable to them specifically. We ideally want them to follow a path of information that illustrates the benefits of our offering, which will build trust and then lead them to take action (sign up for emails, book a call, buy a product or service and so on).
A professionally designed website will establish your business's credibility and signal to customers that your business is trustworthy and professional.
Statistically, we know that most people are researching online for the products and services they require, making your site the pinnacle of your marketing strategy and crucial to business growth. Furthermore, it is estimated that over 80% of customers will trust a company with a website over one without, even if they have an inferior offering.
Studies show that over 80% of consumers will automatically trust a company with a website, over a company without one…
8 Key Benefits That a Professional Website brings..
Cost-Effective MarketingCompared to traditional forms of advertising such as print, TV, or radio, a website is a cost-effective marketing tool. Once your website is up and running, the ongoing costs are relatively low, and the potential return on investment is high. A website allows you to reach a vast audience without the recurring costs associated with traditional advertising.
Quick access to key information
Studies tell us that we only have a matter of seconds to capture the interest of a potential customer when they are browsing online, so it’s vital to illustrate key content in an easy and accessible way. Unlike social media posts, where content can be diluted and broken up, a website gives you the opportunity to display a steady path of information which, if it’s good quality and mapped out correctly, will build trust and interest in your business, quickly.
Directing site visitors to take the desired next step
Once we’ve established interest and a connection, we want site visitors to take a step forward to doing business - signing up to email marketing, booking an appointment, buying a product or service etc. - so mapping out a strategic CTA (Call to Action) sequence is a valuable feature of a website. This may be via buttons, forms or links, all of which are easy to add to a site.
Brand Building
Brand identity for small or medium businesses, is just as powerful as it is for large coporporations. A website gives the opportunity to communicate your brand's visual identity, values, mission and unique selling propositions. Consistent branding across your website, from colors and logos to messaging and tone, helps create a cohesive brand experience that resonates with your audience.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
A well optimised website improves your chances of appearing in search engine results, making it easier for potential customers to find you. SEO involves optimising your website's content and structure to rank higher on search engines like Google. Higher visibility in search results can drive more organic traffic to your website, increasing your chances of generating leads and sales.
Analytics and Insights
A website provides valuable data and insights into your customers' behaviour. Tools like Google Analytics can track various metrics, such as the number of visitors, pages viewed, time spent on the site, and conversion rates. This data can help you make informed decisions about your marketing strategies and understand what's working and what needs improvement.
Accessibility and Convenience
A website makes it easy for customers to find information about your business, products, and services. They can quickly get answers to their questions, view your offerings, and contact you at their convenience. This accessibility enhances the customer experience and can be a deciding factor in whether a customer chooses your business over a competitor's.
Competitive Advantage
In a competitive market, having a website can give you an edge over competitors who may not have one or whose website is poorly designed. A strong online presence can differentiate your business and attract customers who value convenience and accessibility.
Easy & Affordable Web Design with Squarespace..
Thanks to CMS (Content Management Systems), such as Squarespace, it is now possible to build a website without writing code. A CMS is basically software that helps users create, edit and manage content via a website, without the need for any technical knowledge. It allows you to build a website without needing to write code from scratch, making it a valuable, cost-effective solution.
Squarespace is an award-winning CMS company, that hosts millions of global websites. It is one of the easiest website builder platforms available, offering a simple drag-and-drop editor, an intuitive interface and beautiful templates. In addition, Squarespace offers powerful, yet simple to access, features such as:
Google Console Intergration
Analytics & tracking
Email marketing
SSL Certificates (Security)
Scheduling and calendar features
Domain management
E-commerce functionality
Mobile-responsive design
Integrations
Analytics and tracking
SEO tools
Hosting and security
24/7 online support
Stock images (free & paid)
Next Steps Towards Having a Website That Grows Your Business..
You need a website from scratch
If you are looking to build or maintain the site in-house, it’s obviously best to select a platform that user friendly and works for you. There are a number of web hosting providers to choose from, so do some research and see which looks like the best fit.
When deciding whether to take on the task in-house or use a web designer, it’s important to factor in the time that will be required to, not only build the site, but create the content required. It can be a lenghty process if you’re not familar with web design or creating lots of content, and it could be more cost effective to actually have someone do it for you.
Blue Fern offers flexible options for web design and consultation, whether you want to outsouce the whole project, parts of it, or just book some ad-hoc consultating hours along the way. Read more details about how Blue Fern can help here
Your have a website which needs improving
If you have an exisiting site, but it’s quiet and you’re not sure why, there could be some simple adjustments you can make that will revitialise it and bring it back to life. Looking at your SEO is definitely a key area to explore. It is estimated that around 75% of websites are not correctly optmised for search engines such as Google or BIng, so make sure you’re not part of this statistic. If you manage your site internally, visit your provider’s website and find their SEO best practice procedures for you to follow. If this task is too much, then it’s definitely worth finding a SEO specialist to help.
Other common mistakes that can harm a site’s perfomance include poor site design, poor or confusing copy and no CTA’s or CTA strategy. These areas are surprising simply to finetune and will have a huge impact on your engagement. Read more details about how Blue Fern can help with this here
FAQs
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Squarespace is one of the leading Content Web Platforms globally, with exceptional customer service. We have chosen to use this platform because, not only does it have all the tools needed to create stunning and effective sites, but it has a very simple interface, making it suitable for anyone to use. This means we can keep costs down for clients who want to run their own site, post-launch. We do offer maintenance support for those who would like it. Squarespace is highly secure and fully managed, meaning updates are automatic and without disruption.
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Basically, all packages are fully bespoke to the individual client. We will spend time with you during the discovery phase, ensuring we are scoping and cultivating the right project. This will allow us to create a high-calibre website that matches your requirements and enhances your business. We are a value-driven business, as apposed to cost-driven, so we make sure our packages are comprehensive and include everything you need, whilst keeping costs down. To date, we have a full track record in exceeding customer expectations. Most of our work is through referrals. Please do get in touch for an informal chat, if you’d like to know more.
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Yes we can! We are specialists in creating content / copywriting and would be delighted to help you with this. Whether it’s copy editing existing wording, or starting from the ground up, we can discuss it during the discovery phase and incorporate into the project, where appropriate.
Regarding images, we have photographer contacts we can recommend, and can put you in touch with them to discuss your requirements. We would then work closely with them during the project, for continuity. Squarespace also has an extensive library, both free and paid, of high quality stock images that can help if needed.
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Once we have all we need from you the client (images and content, if we’re not providing this), we generally allow 2 weeks build time. We will agree a start date with you early on, if this helps you, so you can plan timings your end. We can also schedule projects in advance, so there’s complete flexibility.
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Once we have completed an initial discovery call, we will put together a proposal of work, which will include timescales and costs. Then, if you would like to proceed, we ask for 50% of project cost in advance, to secure your start date, and then the remaining 50% on completion.
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We have a number of clients who would be more than happy to briefly chat about the success of their project with Blue Fern Consult. Please enquire and we can set this up.
