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Are you thinking of starting a small business? If so, you will need to create a website to promote your online business and connect with your customers. Building your own website can seem challenging, but it doesn’t have to be! In this post, we provide 26 tips for creating your first small business website. We’ll cover everything from choosing the best web hosting company to designing your site. Follow these tips, and you will be well on your way to having a successful online presence for your business. Choose the Right Hosting Company When it comes to hosting your small business website, you want to choose a hosting provider that is reliable and has a good reputation. You also want to make sure that the company offers good customer service to help you with any questions or problems that arise. The best way to find out which web hosting company is right for you is by reading reviews and learning about each company’s pros and cons. Going with Bluehost might be a good idea if you are on a budget since they offer shared hosting plans starting at $13 per month. SiteGround is another good option, and they offer shared hosting plans starting at around $5 per month. In addition, their plan includes a free domain name registration when you set up a hosting account with them. If you are looking for a more robust hosting plan, then WP Engine might be the right hosting provider for you. Their hosting services include managed WordPress hosting plans, and WordPress users can put together a stunning, mobile-friendly website in mere minutes. This type of hosting is perfect if you want a fast, reliable, and secure website. Pick Your Website Address Wisely The next step is to pick your website address, and your address URL (domain name) for your entire site will be based on it. It will speak volumes for your business, too, and a good website address should be a part of the website features list. So when you pick your address, you want to make sure that it is easy to remember and includes the keywords you want to rank for in search engines. Doing so will make it easy for people to find your business online and grow your traffic. An excellent example of this would be if you own a pizza restaurant. You might want to choose a website address like pizza-restaurant-name.com or, even better—pizza.com. If you have a hard time coming up with a good website address, there are plenty of domain name generators online that can help you develop ideas. Just make sure that the website address is available for purchase before registering it. If you really want to optimize your domain name, several fantastic tools exist for finding imaginative domain names. Pick a Good Website Builder Once you’ve determined that a website builder works for you, it’s time to choose one. If you are on a budget, then we recommend using WordPress’s free website builder. However, while a WordPress website is free to start, you can realistically expect pricing for WordPress software to fall between $11 and $40 per month after paying a one-time fee of about $200. Additionally, there are many tutorials available online that can assist you in the process of setting up a WordPress site. If you are looking for other professional website builders, then Squarespace might be the one for you. They offer beautiful templates that are easy to use, and business plans start at $18/month. Plus, they offer a 14-day free trial, so you can test out the platform before committing. Wix is another popular website builder that offers a wide range of templates and features. They also offer a free trial to try out the platform before committing to a paid plan. Wix’s unlimited plan for entrepreneurs and freelancers starts at $18/month and increases in price depending on your needs (e.g., more storage space, visitor analytics). Other good website builders include: GoDaddy: This popular website builder is perfect for startups. Plans range from $9.99 to $24.99/month. Weebly: Offering a fantastic free plan, Weebly lets you build a professional website. Later, you can use it to grow along with your online company for under $20/month. SITE123: This website builder is great for small businesses that want site speed reliability without all the bells and whistles. They offer two plans—a free plan and a premium plan for under $13/month. Duda: This mobile-responsive website builder excels in delivering clean, refined web design and extensive customization options. Duda Plans range from $14 to $44 per month. If you’re a small business owner who’d like to learn about free website builders for your small business, be sure to check out Small Business Trend’s article about 20 Free Website Builders For Your Small Business. Plan for Future Expansion if you think you’ll expand your business in the future, it’s important to plan for it in advance when designing your website. Make sure that your website is easy to update and add new pages as your business grows. Additionally, choose a platform that can handle increased traffic and bandwidth needs. A WordPress site can keep up with a small company’s expansion, but some other excellent website platforms that are flexible and powerful enough to grow with you include Wix or Squarespace. Of course, GoDaddy is fine for growth, too, if you want a no-frills website. Two of the best ones that allow eCommerce and bigger stores to expand are Shopify and BigCommerce. Also, if you are tech-savvy, Joomla and Drupal are great open-source options. Have a Professional Website Design A professionally-designed website is paramount to the overall success of your business. The best websites are easy to use, fast-loading, and optimized for mobile devices. When customers visit your site, they need to know who you are and what you sell within seconds. If they can’t figure out how to navigate through your site or find what they’re looking for, then the chances are good that they will leave your site and go somewhere else. Additionally, when you design with a professional touch, the design for a business site should include a logo that speaks to your brand. It should also feature high-quality images and videos, clear calls to action, easy navigation, quick loading time on all pages of the site (including behind-the-scenes), and security features. Website templates can help you get started with a professional website design. Still, if you don’t know where to start, it’s probably best to hire a professional web designer who understands your business and can create a site that accurately represents your brand. They will be able to help you create a website that not only looks great but also converts visitors into customers. When you hire a professional web design agency, they will be able to help you with everything from choosing the right domain name and website builder to creating an attractive logo that speaks to your brand. Here are some tips for finding the right web design agency: Look for an agency that specializes in small business sites. Request case studies and a portfolio of their work. Ask for references from past clients. Make sure the agency offers a free consultation to discuss your needs and get an estimate. Compare prices before making a decision. Be sure to ask about hidden fees (e.g., design changes). Plus, many agencies offer affordable monthly packages, so you won’t have any upfront costs or hidden fees. You can also ask them about other services, such as social media management or optimizing your website copy for search engines if you’re interested in growing your business online. If your budget is tight, it’s typically best to start with a free website builder and spend just a few dollars per month for hosting. You can always hire an agency to help build more robust features into your site later on down the road when it makes sense for your business. Get an SSL Certificate Straight Away If you want to accept payments from customers online, it’s essential that your website has an SSL certificate. An SSL certificate stands for Secure Sockets Layer and is a security protocol used by websites to secure the connection between visitors’ web browsers and their servers. It encrypts data, so hackers can’t access it without having an encryption key. SSL certificates are important for small businesses because they help protect customer data and increase customer trust. Even if consumers aren’t aware of what an SSL is, 78% of them say they are reassured when they see the familiar padlock symbol associated with an SSL certificate in their browser. If your website doesn’t have an SSL certificate, then you’re at risk of losing customers who might not want to take their chances with a site that doesn’t have one (especially if they’re making payments online). Plus, Google can penalize sites that don’t have SSL certificates by lowering their search engine rankings. You can get a free SSL certificate from Let’s Encrypt or pay for it through your domain registrar or web hosting company. Look at Similar Small Business Websites for Inspiration If you’re not sure what you want your website to look like, it’s a good idea to look at similar small business sites for inspiration. That way, you get an idea of the types of features and design elements you might want to include on your site. You can find examples of some by doing a Google search for “small business websites” or by browsing through some of the top design galleries online. Keep in mind that you don’t want to copy another business’s website—you should aim to create a site that is unique and reflects your brand. But looking at other small business sites can give you some great ideas for what you might want to include on your own site. It’s also a good idea to check out the websites of local small businesses in your area so you can see what they’re doing and get some inspiration for what might work best for you, too. Install Plugins to Boost Your Website’s Features Plugins can enhance your small business website by adding features such as a contact form, a search bar, or advanced SEO tools. If you aim for your website to provide more than just basic information about your business, installing WordPress plugins is a smart choice to increase its functionality. However, keep in mind that using too many plugins can be detrimental, and there are numerous high-quality free and paid plugins available for WordPress. We recommend starting with the following plugins: Yoast SEO Plugin: Optimizes your website for search engines, making it easier for potential customers to find you online. MonsterInsights: Tracks your website’s traffic and sees how people are finding your site. Jetpack: Provides a ton of features and options, including social media integration, security enhancements, and image optimization. WPForms: Creates custom forms, such as contact forms, payment forms, survey forms, and more. SeedProd: This enables you to build pages for your site, including an attractive coming soon page designed to capture leads while your small business website is under development. Choose a Suitable WordPress Theme Once you’ve installed the plugins you need, it’s time to choose a theme for your website. This theme is the design and layout of your site, and there are thousands of themes available. When choosing one, it’s important to make sure that it is responsive—meaning it will look good on all devices, from desktop computers to phones and tablets. The following themes are great for small businesses because of their responsiveness, ease of use, and mobile-friendly attributes: Divi Divi is a versatile drag-and-drop page that comes with 46 content elements and 20 layouts that allow you to get ready and create your website immediately. This functionality makes the theme completely unique and more comprehensive in terms of user experience. XTheme X Theme by Theme.co is a multipurpose theme that has four unique designs that you can use for your website. It also includes over 40 modules and 20 widget areas which give you plenty of flexibility when creating your website. OceanWP Offering a free, flexible theme that is highly customizable, lightweight, and easy to use, OceanWP is a great option for small businesses. Features that set it apart include a mobile-friendly appearance, responsive design, and lightning-fast loading capabilities. BeTheme BeTheme has over 650+ pre-built websites that can be quickly customized and put into production without any coding. It also includes a drag-and-drop builder, 20 header styles, unlimited color options, and more. Astra Astra is a versatile and lightweight multipurpose theme that works effortlessly with popular page builders and eCommerce plugins. With its extensive features, including unlimited layouts and an attractive design, it is particularly well-suited for restaurants, niche sites, and various other applications, including a small business website. Let’s add a word of warning here about themes that advertise themselves as “completely free.” Some experts caution against using them since some aren’t as secure as the ones you buy. Still, you don’t have to make getting your theme a huge expense—even investing a small amount of money in one can help keep your site secure. Simple is Better Whether you’re working with a designer or just choosing a template, you want to keep the design elements simple on your business website and not have flashy colors (unless, of course, busy and flashy are aligned with your brand). Too much going on will only confuse and distract visitors from what you want them to do, which is buy from you. While simplicity is the goal, you should also know how to pick colors for your business website. A good rule of thumb is to use a maximum of no more than three colors. Likewise, only use two or three different fonts and make sure they are easy to read. Have a Contact Page New customers and long-term shoppers alike need a way to get in touch with you through your business website, so it’s important to include a Contact Us page or something similar on your site. Your contact page should consist of information like your business address, phone number, email address and a form that allows customers to send you a message. Numerous WordPress plugins, including WPForms and Gravity Forms, enable you to easily create a contact form. Another option is to have a live chat feature that lets you have a more personal and meaningful conversation with your online visitors. Search Engine Optimization is Key Search engine optimization (SEO) is the practice of improving the ranking of your website on search engines like Google, Yahoo, and Bing. The practice matters because it can help your website appear on the first page of search results when potential clients look for the products and services you offer. This is often referred to as organic traffic, and it’s important because studies show that 75% of users don’t go beyond the first page of search results. Some of the best ways to improve your website’s SEO and site performance include: Creating high-quality content that is relevant to your target audience and adding keywords and phrases throughout your website Including on-page optimization and optimizing your images for online searches Using social media to share your content and increase your website’s exposure Creating a blog and including keywords in the titles and posts Building backlinks to your website from other high-quality websites Adding keywords to your website’s title tag, meta description, and header tags. Also, the search engine results pages, or SERPs, are constantly changing, so it’s crucial to stay up-to-date on the latest techniques for improving your site’s traffic. Invest in SEO Tools To improve your website’s SEO, you need access to the right tools. Thankfully, there are many great SEO tools available that can help you with everything from keyword research to backlink analysis. Some of the most popular SEO tools include: Moz Pro Google Analytics SEMrush Ahrefs Keyword Finder Ubersuggest Google Search Console While each of these tools is effective for enhancing your website’s SEO, it’s crucial to understand that no single tool can ensure success. Thus, utilizing a diverse range of tools and techniques is vital for achieving optimal results. Consider Having a Content Management System A content management system (CMS) is a software application that allows you to create, edit, and publish digital content from a central location. A CMS is important because it can help you manage your website’s content more effectively, which can improve your website’s SEO and traffic. Many don’t require deep technical knowledge to use them, either. Some of the most popular CMSs include: WordPress.org Hubspot CMS Hub Wix BigCommerce Ghost Magento Textpattern Optimize Your Small Business Website for Mobile To provide a great experience for your mobile visitors, it’s important to optimize your small business website for mobile devices. You can accomplish this by using a responsive design or creating a separate mobile version of your website. Additionally, you can use tools like Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to check how well your website performs and how user-friendly it is on mobile devices. Internal and External Links are Important Hyperlinks, or simply “links,” are an important part of any website, and they can be used to improve your website’s SEO and traffic. Internal links point from one page on your website to another. External links, on the other hand, are links that point to pages outside of your website. Internal and external hyperlinks are important because they help Google and other search engines understand your website’s structure and content. Additionally, they can help you increase traffic to your website by providing more opportunities for people to click through to your pages. Add Social Media Integration Social media integration can help you improve your website’s traffic and engagement. By adding social media buttons to your website, you make it easy for visitors to share your content on their favorite social networks. Additionally, social media integration can help you track how well your content is performing on social media. Here are a few ways to add social media integration: Add a Facebook Like button to your website and blog posts so that visitors can easily like them on Facebook. Install a Twitter Follow button so that visitors can follow you on Twitter without leaving your site. Add a Tweet This button to make it easy for people to share your content with their followers. Auto-publish your blog posts to your social media profiles so that your followers can see them as soon as they’re published. Create a social stream to display your latest social media updates on your website. Have an Online Store or Booking Section If you have a product to sell, it’s vital to have an online store or booking section on your website. An eCommerce site can help you grow your small business by letting customers purchase your products from their computers, tablets, and mobile phones. Additionally, many eCommerce platforms allow you to track sales and inventory so that you know how well your products are selling. Use Professional Photography and Images If you’re selling products or services, it’s important to use professional photography and images on your website. These help visitors understand what you offer and can be used to show off your products or services in action. If you don’t have the budget for a professional photographer, there are plenty of options available online. You can purchase stock photos from sites like iStockPhoto, Shutterstock, and Dreamstime. However, resist the urge to use low-quality stock images. If you are not willing to invest in professional-looking images, it’s best just to skip it altogether. Also, from a design standpoint, images should be used sparingly and only if they support the message you’re trying to communicate. Use Reviews and Testimonials Small business owners can enhance their credibility through reviews and testimonials. Therefore, if you have received positive feedback from your satisfied customers, make sure to showcase them on your small business website. This can persuade visitors to choose your services. A few ways to incorporate reviews and testimonials into your site are: Add a link in the footer of every page so that visitors can see them no matter where they are. Link to reviews and testimonials in your email marketing campaigns so that new subscribers can learn more about you without leaving their inboxes. Add a link to reviews or testimonials on your social media profiles so that visitors who click through from there can readily find positive feedback about you. Utilize Video Elements in Your Small Business Website Video is an excellent way to engage website visitors and can be used to explain your products or services in more detail. Additionally, including videos on your website can help improve your SEO results. There are a few ways to add videos to your site: Embed videos from popular video-sharing sites like YouTube and Vimeo. Upload videos directly to your website’s server. Create a video landing page to introduce visitors to your business and its products or services. Implement User-Friendly Navigation User-friendly navigation is crucial for keeping visitors engaged on your site. A clear, intuitive menu structure helps users find information quickly and easily. Consider incorporating dropdown menus for subcategories, and always ensure your navigation is accessible from every page. Additionally, having a search bar can be immensely helpful, especially for content-rich websites. Prioritize Page Loading Speed A slow website can deter visitors and negatively impact your SEO. Optimize your website’s loading speed by compressing images, minimizing the use of heavy scripts, and choosing a fast web hosting service. Tools like Google’s PageSpeed Insights can help you analyze and improve your site’s speed. Ensure Consistent Branding Consistent branding throughout your website fosters trust and recognition. The color scheme, font selections, and overall design of your small business website should reflect your brand identity. This consistency must also carry over to all your digital assets, such as social media profiles and email marketing templates, in order to establish a unified brand experience. Integrate Customer Feedback Mechanisms Incorporate features that allow customers to give feedback easily. This could be through simple surveys, comment sections, or a dedicated feedback form. Customer feedback is invaluable for improving your website and services. Plus, showing that you value customer opinions can strengthen your relationship with your audience. Regularly Update Content Keep your website fresh and relevant by regularly updating your content. This includes not only blog posts or news sections but also updating product descriptions, prices, and any company news. A website that’s regularly updated with valuable content can improve SEO, engage visitors, and position your business as an active and current player in your industry. Test, Test, Test! The best way to make sure that your website is effective is to test it regularly. This method lets you learn and tweak things as you go. Make sure that you track how well each element performs so that you can make changes as needed. Additionally, use analytics to see how visitors are interacting with your website. This information can help you decide what content to keep, change or remove. No.TopicSummary 1Hosting & DomainChoose reliable hosting, like Bluehost or SiteGround. Pick a memorable domain name with keywords. 2Website BuilderOpt for WordPress, Squarespace, or Wix for easy site creation. Professional web designers are an option. 3Design & SEOPrioritize user-friendly design, mobile optimization, and SEO. Use tools like Yoast and Moz for SEO. 4Social & eCommerceIntegrate social media buttons, share tools, and consider an online store for product/service sales. 5Testing & AnalyticsRegularly test website elements, track user behavior, and make improvements using tools like Google. Conclusion In today’s digital age, a well-designed and strategically optimized small business website is a crucial tool for establishing your online presence and engaging with your target audience. By incorporating the strategies outlined in this guide, you can create a website that not only showcases your products or services but also effectively converts visitors into customers. From selecting the right hosting company and domain name to optimizing for mobile devices and maximizing conversion rates, each step plays a vital role in ensuring your website’s success. Remember that your website is a dynamic entity that requires constant attention and adaptation. Regularly analyze user behavior, track key performance indicators, and make data-driven adjustments to continually improve your website’s effectiveness. Whether you’re a startup or an established small business, investing time and effort into building and maintaining a user-friendly, visually appealing, and conversion-focused website can yield significant returns in terms of brand growth, customer engagement, and overall business success. As technology and user preferences evolve, staying up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in website design and optimization will help you maintain a competitive edge and continue to deliver value to your audience. With a strong foundation and a commitment to continuous improvement, your small business website can become a powerful tool that supports your business goals and fosters lasting customer relationships. Start Creating Your Small Business Website Today Now that you have read the tips, it’s time to put them into action! Start by creating a list of the most important things you want your website to accomplish. From there, begin designing and building your site using these tips as a guide. And don’t forget to test, test, and test along the way to make sure that you’re getting the results you want. Image: Depositphotos.com This article, "Tips for Building Your First Small Business Website" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Are you thinking of starting a small business? If so, you will need to create a website to promote your online business and connect with your customers. Building your own website can seem challenging, but it doesn’t have to be! In this post, we provide 26 tips for creating your first small business website. We’ll cover everything from choosing the best web hosting company to designing your site. Follow these tips, and you will be well on your way to having a successful online presence for your business. Choose the Right Hosting Company When it comes to hosting your small business website, you want to choose a hosting provider that is reliable and has a good reputation. You also want to make sure that the company offers good customer service to help you with any questions or problems that arise. The best way to find out which web hosting company is right for you is by reading reviews and learning about each company’s pros and cons. Going with Bluehost might be a good idea if you are on a budget since they offer shared hosting plans starting at $13 per month. SiteGround is another good option, and they offer shared hosting plans starting at around $5 per month. In addition, their plan includes a free domain name registration when you set up a hosting account with them. If you are looking for a more robust hosting plan, then WP Engine might be the right hosting provider for you. Their hosting services include managed WordPress hosting plans, and WordPress users can put together a stunning, mobile-friendly website in mere minutes. This type of hosting is perfect if you want a fast, reliable, and secure website. Pick Your Website Address Wisely The next step is to pick your website address, and your address URL (domain name) for your entire site will be based on it. It will speak volumes for your business, too, and a good website address should be a part of the website features list. So when you pick your address, you want to make sure that it is easy to remember and includes the keywords you want to rank for in search engines. Doing so will make it easy for people to find your business online and grow your traffic. An excellent example of this would be if you own a pizza restaurant. You might want to choose a website address like pizza-restaurant-name.com or, even better—pizza.com. If you have a hard time coming up with a good website address, there are plenty of domain name generators online that can help you develop ideas. Just make sure that the website address is available for purchase before registering it. If you really want to optimize your domain name, several fantastic tools exist for finding imaginative domain names. Pick a Good Website Builder Once you’ve determined that a website builder works for you, it’s time to choose one. If you are on a budget, then we recommend using WordPress’s free website builder. However, while a WordPress website is free to start, you can realistically expect pricing for WordPress software to fall between $11 and $40 per month after paying a one-time fee of about $200. Additionally, there are many tutorials available online that can assist you in the process of setting up a WordPress site. If you are looking for other professional website builders, then Squarespace might be the one for you. They offer beautiful templates that are easy to use, and business plans start at $18/month. Plus, they offer a 14-day free trial, so you can test out the platform before committing. Wix is another popular website builder that offers a wide range of templates and features. They also offer a free trial to try out the platform before committing to a paid plan. Wix’s unlimited plan for entrepreneurs and freelancers starts at $18/month and increases in price depending on your needs (e.g., more storage space, visitor analytics). Other good website builders include: GoDaddy: This popular website builder is perfect for startups. Plans range from $9.99 to $24.99/month. Weebly: Offering a fantastic free plan, Weebly lets you build a professional website. Later, you can use it to grow along with your online company for under $20/month. SITE123: This website builder is great for small businesses that want site speed reliability without all the bells and whistles. They offer two plans—a free plan and a premium plan for under $13/month. Duda: This mobile-responsive website builder excels in delivering clean, refined web design and extensive customization options. Duda Plans range from $14 to $44 per month. If you’re a small business owner who’d like to learn about free website builders for your small business, be sure to check out Small Business Trend’s article about 20 Free Website Builders For Your Small Business. Plan for Future Expansion if you think you’ll expand your business in the future, it’s important to plan for it in advance when designing your website. Make sure that your website is easy to update and add new pages as your business grows. Additionally, choose a platform that can handle increased traffic and bandwidth needs. A WordPress site can keep up with a small company’s expansion, but some other excellent website platforms that are flexible and powerful enough to grow with you include Wix or Squarespace. Of course, GoDaddy is fine for growth, too, if you want a no-frills website. Two of the best ones that allow eCommerce and bigger stores to expand are Shopify and BigCommerce. Also, if you are tech-savvy, Joomla and Drupal are great open-source options. Have a Professional Website Design A professionally-designed website is paramount to the overall success of your business. The best websites are easy to use, fast-loading, and optimized for mobile devices. When customers visit your site, they need to know who you are and what you sell within seconds. If they can’t figure out how to navigate through your site or find what they’re looking for, then the chances are good that they will leave your site and go somewhere else. Additionally, when you design with a professional touch, the design for a business site should include a logo that speaks to your brand. It should also feature high-quality images and videos, clear calls to action, easy navigation, quick loading time on all pages of the site (including behind-the-scenes), and security features. Website templates can help you get started with a professional website design. Still, if you don’t know where to start, it’s probably best to hire a professional web designer who understands your business and can create a site that accurately represents your brand. They will be able to help you create a website that not only looks great but also converts visitors into customers. When you hire a professional web design agency, they will be able to help you with everything from choosing the right domain name and website builder to creating an attractive logo that speaks to your brand. Here are some tips for finding the right web design agency: Look for an agency that specializes in small business sites. Request case studies and a portfolio of their work. Ask for references from past clients. Make sure the agency offers a free consultation to discuss your needs and get an estimate. Compare prices before making a decision. Be sure to ask about hidden fees (e.g., design changes). Plus, many agencies offer affordable monthly packages, so you won’t have any upfront costs or hidden fees. You can also ask them about other services, such as social media management or optimizing your website copy for search engines if you’re interested in growing your business online. If your budget is tight, it’s typically best to start with a free website builder and spend just a few dollars per month for hosting. You can always hire an agency to help build more robust features into your site later on down the road when it makes sense for your business. Get an SSL Certificate Straight Away If you want to accept payments from customers online, it’s essential that your website has an SSL certificate. An SSL certificate stands for Secure Sockets Layer and is a security protocol used by websites to secure the connection between visitors’ web browsers and their servers. It encrypts data, so hackers can’t access it without having an encryption key. SSL certificates are important for small businesses because they help protect customer data and increase customer trust. Even if consumers aren’t aware of what an SSL is, 78% of them say they are reassured when they see the familiar padlock symbol associated with an SSL certificate in their browser. If your website doesn’t have an SSL certificate, then you’re at risk of losing customers who might not want to take their chances with a site that doesn’t have one (especially if they’re making payments online). Plus, Google can penalize sites that don’t have SSL certificates by lowering their search engine rankings. You can get a free SSL certificate from Let’s Encrypt or pay for it through your domain registrar or web hosting company. Look at Similar Small Business Websites for Inspiration If you’re not sure what you want your website to look like, it’s a good idea to look at similar small business sites for inspiration. That way, you get an idea of the types of features and design elements you might want to include on your site. You can find examples of some by doing a Google search for “small business websites” or by browsing through some of the top design galleries online. Keep in mind that you don’t want to copy another business’s website—you should aim to create a site that is unique and reflects your brand. But looking at other small business sites can give you some great ideas for what you might want to include on your own site. It’s also a good idea to check out the websites of local small businesses in your area so you can see what they’re doing and get some inspiration for what might work best for you, too. Install Plugins to Boost Your Website’s Features Plugins can enhance your small business website by adding features such as a contact form, a search bar, or advanced SEO tools. If you aim for your website to provide more than just basic information about your business, installing WordPress plugins is a smart choice to increase its functionality. However, keep in mind that using too many plugins can be detrimental, and there are numerous high-quality free and paid plugins available for WordPress. We recommend starting with the following plugins: Yoast SEO Plugin: Optimizes your website for search engines, making it easier for potential customers to find you online. MonsterInsights: Tracks your website’s traffic and sees how people are finding your site. Jetpack: Provides a ton of features and options, including social media integration, security enhancements, and image optimization. WPForms: Creates custom forms, such as contact forms, payment forms, survey forms, and more. SeedProd: This enables you to build pages for your site, including an attractive coming soon page designed to capture leads while your small business website is under development. Choose a Suitable WordPress Theme Once you’ve installed the plugins you need, it’s time to choose a theme for your website. This theme is the design and layout of your site, and there are thousands of themes available. When choosing one, it’s important to make sure that it is responsive—meaning it will look good on all devices, from desktop computers to phones and tablets. The following themes are great for small businesses because of their responsiveness, ease of use, and mobile-friendly attributes: Divi Divi is a versatile drag-and-drop page that comes with 46 content elements and 20 layouts that allow you to get ready and create your website immediately. This functionality makes the theme completely unique and more comprehensive in terms of user experience. XTheme X Theme by Theme.co is a multipurpose theme that has four unique designs that you can use for your website. It also includes over 40 modules and 20 widget areas which give you plenty of flexibility when creating your website. OceanWP Offering a free, flexible theme that is highly customizable, lightweight, and easy to use, OceanWP is a great option for small businesses. Features that set it apart include a mobile-friendly appearance, responsive design, and lightning-fast loading capabilities. BeTheme BeTheme has over 650+ pre-built websites that can be quickly customized and put into production without any coding. It also includes a drag-and-drop builder, 20 header styles, unlimited color options, and more. Astra Astra is a versatile and lightweight multipurpose theme that works effortlessly with popular page builders and eCommerce plugins. With its extensive features, including unlimited layouts and an attractive design, it is particularly well-suited for restaurants, niche sites, and various other applications, including a small business website. Let’s add a word of warning here about themes that advertise themselves as “completely free.” Some experts caution against using them since some aren’t as secure as the ones you buy. Still, you don’t have to make getting your theme a huge expense—even investing a small amount of money in one can help keep your site secure. Simple is Better Whether you’re working with a designer or just choosing a template, you want to keep the design elements simple on your business website and not have flashy colors (unless, of course, busy and flashy are aligned with your brand). Too much going on will only confuse and distract visitors from what you want them to do, which is buy from you. While simplicity is the goal, you should also know how to pick colors for your business website. A good rule of thumb is to use a maximum of no more than three colors. Likewise, only use two or three different fonts and make sure they are easy to read. Have a Contact Page New customers and long-term shoppers alike need a way to get in touch with you through your business website, so it’s important to include a Contact Us page or something similar on your site. Your contact page should consist of information like your business address, phone number, email address and a form that allows customers to send you a message. Numerous WordPress plugins, including WPForms and Gravity Forms, enable you to easily create a contact form. Another option is to have a live chat feature that lets you have a more personal and meaningful conversation with your online visitors. Search Engine Optimization is Key Search engine optimization (SEO) is the practice of improving the ranking of your website on search engines like Google, Yahoo, and Bing. The practice matters because it can help your website appear on the first page of search results when potential clients look for the products and services you offer. This is often referred to as organic traffic, and it’s important because studies show that 75% of users don’t go beyond the first page of search results. Some of the best ways to improve your website’s SEO and site performance include: Creating high-quality content that is relevant to your target audience and adding keywords and phrases throughout your website Including on-page optimization and optimizing your images for online searches Using social media to share your content and increase your website’s exposure Creating a blog and including keywords in the titles and posts Building backlinks to your website from other high-quality websites Adding keywords to your website’s title tag, meta description, and header tags. Also, the search engine results pages, or SERPs, are constantly changing, so it’s crucial to stay up-to-date on the latest techniques for improving your site’s traffic. Invest in SEO Tools To improve your website’s SEO, you need access to the right tools. Thankfully, there are many great SEO tools available that can help you with everything from keyword research to backlink analysis. Some of the most popular SEO tools include: Moz Pro Google Analytics SEMrush Ahrefs Keyword Finder Ubersuggest Google Search Console While each of these tools is effective for enhancing your website’s SEO, it’s crucial to understand that no single tool can ensure success. Thus, utilizing a diverse range of tools and techniques is vital for achieving optimal results. Consider Having a Content Management System A content management system (CMS) is a software application that allows you to create, edit, and publish digital content from a central location. A CMS is important because it can help you manage your website’s content more effectively, which can improve your website’s SEO and traffic. Many don’t require deep technical knowledge to use them, either. Some of the most popular CMSs include: WordPress.org Hubspot CMS Hub Wix BigCommerce Ghost Magento Textpattern Optimize Your Small Business Website for Mobile To provide a great experience for your mobile visitors, it’s important to optimize your small business website for mobile devices. You can accomplish this by using a responsive design or creating a separate mobile version of your website. Additionally, you can use tools like Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to check how well your website performs and how user-friendly it is on mobile devices. Internal and External Links are Important Hyperlinks, or simply “links,” are an important part of any website, and they can be used to improve your website’s SEO and traffic. Internal links point from one page on your website to another. External links, on the other hand, are links that point to pages outside of your website. Internal and external hyperlinks are important because they help Google and other search engines understand your website’s structure and content. Additionally, they can help you increase traffic to your website by providing more opportunities for people to click through to your pages. Add Social Media Integration Social media integration can help you improve your website’s traffic and engagement. By adding social media buttons to your website, you make it easy for visitors to share your content on their favorite social networks. Additionally, social media integration can help you track how well your content is performing on social media. Here are a few ways to add social media integration: Add a Facebook Like button to your website and blog posts so that visitors can easily like them on Facebook. Install a Twitter Follow button so that visitors can follow you on Twitter without leaving your site. Add a Tweet This button to make it easy for people to share your content with their followers. Auto-publish your blog posts to your social media profiles so that your followers can see them as soon as they’re published. Create a social stream to display your latest social media updates on your website. Have an Online Store or Booking Section If you have a product to sell, it’s vital to have an online store or booking section on your website. An eCommerce site can help you grow your small business by letting customers purchase your products from their computers, tablets, and mobile phones. Additionally, many eCommerce platforms allow you to track sales and inventory so that you know how well your products are selling. Use Professional Photography and Images If you’re selling products or services, it’s important to use professional photography and images on your website. These help visitors understand what you offer and can be used to show off your products or services in action. If you don’t have the budget for a professional photographer, there are plenty of options available online. You can purchase stock photos from sites like iStockPhoto, Shutterstock, and Dreamstime. However, resist the urge to use low-quality stock images. If you are not willing to invest in professional-looking images, it’s best just to skip it altogether. Also, from a design standpoint, images should be used sparingly and only if they support the message you’re trying to communicate. Use Reviews and Testimonials Small business owners can enhance their credibility through reviews and testimonials. Therefore, if you have received positive feedback from your satisfied customers, make sure to showcase them on your small business website. This can persuade visitors to choose your services. A few ways to incorporate reviews and testimonials into your site are: Add a link in the footer of every page so that visitors can see them no matter where they are. Link to reviews and testimonials in your email marketing campaigns so that new subscribers can learn more about you without leaving their inboxes. Add a link to reviews or testimonials on your social media profiles so that visitors who click through from there can readily find positive feedback about you. Utilize Video Elements in Your Small Business Website Video is an excellent way to engage website visitors and can be used to explain your products or services in more detail. Additionally, including videos on your website can help improve your SEO results. There are a few ways to add videos to your site: Embed videos from popular video-sharing sites like YouTube and Vimeo. Upload videos directly to your website’s server. Create a video landing page to introduce visitors to your business and its products or services. Implement User-Friendly Navigation User-friendly navigation is crucial for keeping visitors engaged on your site. A clear, intuitive menu structure helps users find information quickly and easily. Consider incorporating dropdown menus for subcategories, and always ensure your navigation is accessible from every page. Additionally, having a search bar can be immensely helpful, especially for content-rich websites. Prioritize Page Loading Speed A slow website can deter visitors and negatively impact your SEO. Optimize your website’s loading speed by compressing images, minimizing the use of heavy scripts, and choosing a fast web hosting service. Tools like Google’s PageSpeed Insights can help you analyze and improve your site’s speed. Ensure Consistent Branding Consistent branding throughout your website fosters trust and recognition. The color scheme, font selections, and overall design of your small business website should reflect your brand identity. This consistency must also carry over to all your digital assets, such as social media profiles and email marketing templates, in order to establish a unified brand experience. Integrate Customer Feedback Mechanisms Incorporate features that allow customers to give feedback easily. This could be through simple surveys, comment sections, or a dedicated feedback form. Customer feedback is invaluable for improving your website and services. Plus, showing that you value customer opinions can strengthen your relationship with your audience. Regularly Update Content Keep your website fresh and relevant by regularly updating your content. This includes not only blog posts or news sections but also updating product descriptions, prices, and any company news. A website that’s regularly updated with valuable content can improve SEO, engage visitors, and position your business as an active and current player in your industry. Test, Test, Test! The best way to make sure that your website is effective is to test it regularly. This method lets you learn and tweak things as you go. Make sure that you track how well each element performs so that you can make changes as needed. Additionally, use analytics to see how visitors are interacting with your website. This information can help you decide what content to keep, change or remove. No.TopicSummary 1Hosting & DomainChoose reliable hosting, like Bluehost or SiteGround. Pick a memorable domain name with keywords. 2Website BuilderOpt for WordPress, Squarespace, or Wix for easy site creation. Professional web designers are an option. 3Design & SEOPrioritize user-friendly design, mobile optimization, and SEO. Use tools like Yoast and Moz for SEO. 4Social & eCommerceIntegrate social media buttons, share tools, and consider an online store for product/service sales. 5Testing & AnalyticsRegularly test website elements, track user behavior, and make improvements using tools like Google. Conclusion In today’s digital age, a well-designed and strategically optimized small business website is a crucial tool for establishing your online presence and engaging with your target audience. By incorporating the strategies outlined in this guide, you can create a website that not only showcases your products or services but also effectively converts visitors into customers. From selecting the right hosting company and domain name to optimizing for mobile devices and maximizing conversion rates, each step plays a vital role in ensuring your website’s success. Remember that your website is a dynamic entity that requires constant attention and adaptation. Regularly analyze user behavior, track key performance indicators, and make data-driven adjustments to continually improve your website’s effectiveness. Whether you’re a startup or an established small business, investing time and effort into building and maintaining a user-friendly, visually appealing, and conversion-focused website can yield significant returns in terms of brand growth, customer engagement, and overall business success. As technology and user preferences evolve, staying up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in website design and optimization will help you maintain a competitive edge and continue to deliver value to your audience. With a strong foundation and a commitment to continuous improvement, your small business website can become a powerful tool that supports your business goals and fosters lasting customer relationships. Start Creating Your Small Business Website Today Now that you have read the tips, it’s time to put them into action! Start by creating a list of the most important things you want your website to accomplish. From there, begin designing and building your site using these tips as a guide. And don’t forget to test, test, and test along the way to make sure that you’re getting the results you want. Image: Depositphotos.com This article, "Tips for Building Your First Small Business Website" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

To create an HTML redirect to another page, add a meta refresh tag inside the section of the page. View the full article

AI rivalry heats up: Glean CEO Arvind Jain replies to Sam Altman’s caution to investors. View the full article

Common SEO interview questions include: What are some ranking factors? What is your view on AI content? View the full article

Global sustainability models are failing. They’ve been designed to showcase ethical trade and environmental responsibility, but they fundamentally misunderstand how global supply chains operate—especially the critical, unseen work at the beginning of essential value chains such as critical minerals. For decades, these models have burdened African merchants, miners, and farmers—the backbone of global industries from cocoa to lithium—while corporations further along the chain claim the benefits. The systems celebrate end products, like sleek electric vehicles (EVs) or iPhones, while ignoring the heavy lifting at the start of the work, where it’s most difficult. This imbalance in sustainability frameworks doesn’t just sideline African businesses. It undermines the entire premise of accountability that we want to engender amongst commercial supply chain stakeholders. The unfair burden on the start of the supply chain The reality of global supply chains is simple: The earliest stages, where raw materials are extracted and processed, require the most effort. African farmers, miners, and merchants are at the very heart of these early stages. They’re the ones putting in the hardest work—extracting resources, growing crops, and preparing raw materials that fuel industries around the world. But despite their essential role, they’re stuck carrying the heaviest burden. Strict regulations and sustainability requirements often hit them the hardest, even though they have the fewest resources to meet these demands. Take cocoa farmers in Africa, for instance. Many are already working on tight margins, struggling to make enough to feed their families. Then along comes the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which demands proof that their cocoa isn’t linked to deforestation. While the goal is noble, the execution has left these farmers scrambling to provide documentation they’ve never needed before. For many, the cost of compliance is just too high, and failing to meet the standards means losing access to international buyers. It’s not just farmers. In the mining sector, lithium—the critical ingredient for EV batteries—is dug up under tough, often dangerous conditions. The raw material is shipped overseas for refining and manufacturing, where the final product becomes a celebrated symbol of sustainability. But little thought is given to the people who made that product possible in the first place. But instead of recognizing the environmental and social costs borne by African miners, global narratives around “green” batteries conveniently ignore this reality. The hard work is erased, and the end product—a shiny new electric vehicle—becomes the hero of the story. Why these models don’t work The deeper issue is that global sustainability models were never designed with supply chain realities in mind. They were built to make sense on paper, not in practice. Here’s why they fail: They ignore the realities of extraction The first stages of the supply chain—extraction and initial processing—are treated as a liability, not a foundation. These stages are overregulated, under-supported, and painted as inherently “dirty,” while the later stages enjoy the benefits of cleaner reputations and fewer demands. They push costs downstream Compliance costs are overwhelmingly placed on the smallest and least resourced players. Farmers, artisanal miners, and small merchants are expected to shoulder the expense of meeting global benchmarks, while corporations further up the chain avoid their fair share of responsibility. They celebrate the end, not the beginning By the time raw materials are turned into recognizable products—like the chocolate bars we enjoy or the batteries that power electric vehicles—they’re celebrated as symbols of innovation and progress. But the reality behind those products is far less glamorous. The hard work, long hours, and sacrifices made at the start of the supply chain are often ignored. At best, they’re reduced to a footnote; at worst, they’re treated as inconvenient details in the story of sustainability. Rebalance the equation If sustainability is going to work—for people and the planet—we need to rethink these frameworks entirely. That means starting from the ground up, ensuring fairness across every step of the supply chain. Here’s where the change needs to happen: Stop pushing the costs on producers Sustainability can’t come at the expense of the people doing the hardest work. Corporations that depend on African resources need to take responsibility for compliance costs. For example, chocolate companies that rely on African cocoa should be actively investing in the farmers and cooperatives that keep their supply chains running. It’s not just a moral obligation—it’s a business necessity. Put money into local solutions The earliest stages of the supply chain need better support. This means governments, corporations, and international institutions must work together to invest in systems that help producers succeed. From building cooperatives for artisanal miners to funding training programs for sustainable farming, these investments would ease the pressure on producers while ensuring global standards can actually be met. Measure what really matters Current sustainability metrics focus too much on quick wins and shiny results. But real progress happens when we focus on achievable, incremental improvements. Instead of setting impossible benchmarks, we need to create standards that reflect the realities of resource extraction and reward meaningful change. Work together to share the load No single entity can fix this alone. Public-private partnerships are key to amplifying sustainability efforts without placing all the costs on producers. Companies that actively work with merchants to address issues like traceability and compliance have already shown that fair, sustainable practices are possible—especially when governments step in to support these efforts. A fairer vision for sustainability Sustainability should not mean shifting the burden onto the communities that sustain the world’s supply chains. African merchants, farmers, and miners are not just resource providers—they are the backbone of industries that drive global progress. They deserve recognition, support, and a fair share of the benefits. Global sustainability models need to change—urgently. If they don’t, they’ll keep fueling inequality while claiming to promote progress. It’s time to stop pretending that these systems are working, because they’re not. We need to build frameworks that reflect the real-world challenges of supply chains, ones that are fair, practical, and genuinely sustainable—for everyone involved. Anu Adedoyin Adasolum is CEO of Sabi. View the full article

Super Bowl LIX had a clear winner on the field, but victory for brands was more hard-won. Many aimed for impact, but did they deliver? Autodesk CMO Dara Treseder offers hot takes on this year’s hits and misses from the big game’s ads. She joins host Bob Safian to break down what makes an NBDB (“never been done before”) moment, why so many brands adopted a “safe” approach, and what trends business leaders should note going forward. This is an abridged transcript of an interview from Rapid Response, hosted by Robert Safian, former editor-in-chief of Fast Company. From the team behind the Masters of Scale podcast, Rapid Response features candid conversations with today’s top business leaders navigating real-time challenges. Subscribe to Rapid Response wherever you get your podcasts to ensure you never miss an episode. Last year, we talked about whether you would buy a 30-second spot for Autodesk. When you were watching this year, did you think, Oh, maybe I should have; that would have been a good way to spend $8 million? No, when I was watching the game, I was like, I am very glad with our strategy of not buying an ad in the Super Bowl. Look, I think sometimes it makes sense for your business. And I think you really have to understand: What are we trying to accomplish? What are the objectives? And will this help us make that happen? I think that not enough brands who showed up this year did that calculation, I have to say. So, I think we did the right math by deciding to let our customers take center stage. When a game is not close, is that good from a marketer’s point of view—like people are going to spend more time paying attention to the ad? Or is it bad because people aren’t as intensely focused on the screen? It’s not good. It’s not good because people are getting up and people are leaving. Consumers start to get distracted and go back to their lives when it’s not as competitive until the very end. You’re making a bet when you decide where you’re going to buy your ad, where in the show, right? Like in some ways it’s better to be at the end because people will remember you more, but only if the game is close. Only if the game is close. So, you’ve got to think about the calculus for what you’re trying to do. I always think that going early and in the middle is safe. Again, it comes down to calculated risk, a clear-eyed risk. You gather as much data as you can, you strip away uncertainty, and then you make a decision with conviction. Going late is a risk that you should only take if you are sure that even if consumers get up and walk away, that placement still makes sense for your brand. But if you’re not sure about that, going early or going in the middle is probably a good way to make sure that you gather as many eyeballs as needed. If you’re a brand like Autodesk and you haven’t bought a Super Bowl spot, how do you participate in the moment around the Super Bowl? If you have an authentic reason to participate in the conversation, hey, it’s as good a time as any to do that. So for us at Autodesk, our software is used to design and make anything, whether it is literally the Caesar Superdome stadium in NOLA that housed it all, or stages like Kendrick’s, or ads like the Michelob Ultra ad. Our software is used to design and make anything. So for us, being a part of the conversation makes sense in terms of celebrating our customers who are playing a role in the game. Now you’ve used this expression, NBDB (“never been done before”). There wasn’t a whole lot of that this year. We like a good NBDB. And I thought a brand that actually did that was Rocket. So Rocket had that wonderful ad that really talked about owning the dream, owning the American dream, and owning the home. They took the time to tell the story in a way that was so powerful. I was watching it live, and everybody from my father-in-law to my daughter was like, “Oh, we like this one.” And every American can remember that song. I mean, Bob, I’m sure in a bar somewhere at 1 a.m. at some point or the other, you were singing about country roads taking you home. There’s no video of that. You’re neither going to confirm nor deny, but I thought that ad was great. But what was especially awesome was to see that connected with the live experience of “Country Roads” playing in the stands and having the fans in the stadium. That was marketing magic, right? Because the ad, the extension was so real, so powerful, so wonderful. So that was an NBDB. I don’t think I’ve seen any ads do that before where they connect what is happening on the screen to what is happening physically in the stadium in such a powerful integrated way. I thought Rocket did that. They certainly owned that NBDB category with that first-of-its-kind integration. So not the skin cowboy hat from Tubi. I didn’t get on with that. I mean, that was when everyone was like, “I’m going to go get some chips.” Nobody wants to watch that, right? I thought that ad was pushing creative direction. That’s what I meant. Because people were staying away from relevance, sometimes they turned up the dial on ownability or memorability in a way that didn’t always work. And I think for that Tubi ad, they turned up the memorability dial a little too much, and it didn’t quite work. I want to ask you about the Nike “So Win” ad with top female athletes like Caitlin Clark and Jordan Chiles. In some ways, it was like a throwback to some of the ads we’d seen from Nike before. So it wasn’t really “never been done before,” but at the same time, I thought it was pretty darn effective. I think Nike was the winner of the night, and I’ll tell you why. They did an amazing job of being ownable. It was like you said: It was an ownable Nike spot. You saw that spot, and you immediately knew it was Nike because of the athletes’ presence, the visual aesthetic, the black-and-white aesthetic, and the message. It showed the power of purpose and performance, and I have to give Nike a lot of credit for this spot because in a year where a lot of brands were staying away from saying anything, Nike said something. They said something important. They said something that matters. And they said something that needed to be said, right? And that was the power of women in sports. And the importance of gender equity in sports. And I thought they said it really well. It wasn’t preachy. It was powerful. And, so talk about being memorable and being relevant. And many of us can remember what was happening in the Olympics when Sha’Carri [Richardson] was running: She was ahead, and she looked to her left, and she looked to her right. And that moment was a part of the narrative, right? Many of us remember the journeys that these women athletes have had. And to see them standing on business, standing on power, standing on strength, it was saying, “Look, come what may, women’s sports is here to stay,” and I love that. Just watching my daughter watch that spot and her face light up, it was a powerful moment. So I think Nike did that, and they were really the only brand that made a statement, right? A lot of brands talked about unity and nostalgia, which I thought was a little bit overdone, to be honest, and not actually reflective of the state of the country, so it felt a little forced. But I thought Nike did a really good job of saying, “Hey, we’re standing on business. We’re standing on purpose.” We’re not cause-led, so we’re not jumping into a political conversation. But we’re standing on what makes sense for our business. Our values remain unchanged. View the full article

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Is “hey” rude? I have a former boss who asked all staff at a tiny nonprofit not to use the greeting “hey” to her. I think this is imperious and out of touch, at best. What do you think? It’s a bit much, but there’s a fairly outdated belief that “hey” is rude — remember those teachers and other elders from your youth who would respond to “hey” with “hay is for horses”? Was she a “hay is for horses” person clinging to old rules around the word, or was she more of a “don’t speak casually to me, peons” person? The former is a little eye-rolly, but whatever; the second is much more obnoxious. 2. Did our coworker fake-retire? I worked at a hospital where a long-time employee in my department retired— she was over 65 and had worked there for 30+ years. The department held a retirement party with the boss’s own funds since the hospital didn’t provide discretionary funds for this kind of stuff. It was a nice send-off and everyone wished her well. Then about a month or so later, word gets around that actually she wasn’t retired and had just gotten a new job at the VA, which is where many of the folks in this department try to get to because the pay is so much better there. No one in leadership mentioned anything about it but you could sense that people were really annoyed and felt like they’d been duped. I know many people get jobs again after they’ve retired, but this was so immediate that it was obviously lined up beforehand. What are your thoughts on the optics of this? Any chance the departing employee was using “retiring” in the sense of “I am retiring from this job where I have worked for 30+ years” and not in the more traditional sense of “I am retiring from the workforce”? There was an interesting discussion in the comment section on Monday about whether “retired” can simply mean “leaving this job,” not “leaving the workforce.” It typically does not — but when someone is around retirement age and leaving a job they’ve been at for a very long time, it does sometimes get used that way. (You generally need both those factors to be present though; no one is saying a 35-year-old is retiring when she leaves a job she’s been at for eight years. The age and length of tenure both seem to be prerequisites for the usage to work.) Anyway, it really depends on whether your coworker went out of her way to deceive people. If she was talking about how much she was going to enjoy not having to go to work every day and her plans to spend her time gardening and taking Elderhostel trips, all while knowing she was just moving to another full-time job, then yeah, that’s obviously pretty crappy! It would also be unusual for someone to do that just in order to get a retirement party. (Any chance there was another reason she might have wanted to keep it quiet, like worrying about a manager at your hospital torpedoing her chances at the new job?) But if it was just an announcement that she was leaving, and others were the ones who framed it as “retirement” out of an assumption based on her age … well, she might have figured she was retiring from this organization after 30 years so didn’t see any need to correct anything. Either way, you’re all better off just looking at it as a goodbye party for someone who had worked there for three decades. 3. Frustrations with business voicemail and a claims process I have been dealing with my insurance company for a claim I filed. I received an email (from a do-not-reply account) that my case was assigned to “Mary Smith” and I would be receiving a call from her on such and such a date between 9:30 am and 11:30 am from a specific phone number. On the bottom of my account page with this company, her name is listed as my claim manager. As I had a dentist appointment that day at 8 am, I called her number and left a message to please call closer to 11:30 as I had an appointment that morning. My concern is her voicemail was a very generic “the person you are trying to reach is not available, please leave a message after the tone.” No mention of her name or the company’s name. She called me later in the morning that day, never mentioned anything about my message that I had left for her, and we conducted the interview. She needed some clarification on some dates and asked me to call back when I had that information. I called back a day later with the info and the same thing, went to voicemail with the generic greeting. I didn’t hear anything from her confirming she received the information. Four days later, I called and left another message asking if she got the info and to please call me back to confirm. Nothing. A few days later, my account was updated to “claim review in process” and I received an email saying a decision should be made with in five business days, and day days later the claim was approved. How do you deal with a situation like this? I still have no idea if my messages were being received by the case manager or even if it was her voicemail I was leaving the message in. Or am I being “needy” by expecting at least some response following any contact to her? Maybe a little needy, yeah, if you’re still dwelling on it now. It sounds like their process worked as it should: you left a message asking her to call you in the later part of your assigned window and she did that. You followed up with info she requested, and she used it to process your claim, which was approved in the timeframe you were told to expect. It sounds like it caused you some extra anxiety not to get any acknowledgement of either of your messages, whereas on her side the “acknowledgment” was likely that she used the info you provided to move things forward. If things weren’t moving and your messages were going unacknowledged, that would be a lot more frustrating — but since things did move as expected, there was nothing to “deal with.” You would have preferred more communication, but it sounds like the case manager knew, likely from experience, that things could move smoothly without it. (In fact, it’s even possible that things moved so smoothly because she doesn’t stop to return every message people leave if she doesn’t need to.) To be clear, I don’t think it’s unreasonable that you expected more communication while this was ongoing — but once you saw that everything went smoothly and your claim was approved, why not just think, “Okay, that worked fine”? 4. Coworker keeps coming into my office and distracting me One of my coworkers who works for a different company comes into my office multiple times per day and distracts me from my work. I hung a “please do not disturb” sign but that didn’t stop him, so eventually I switched to a sign that says “do not disturb — please send an email and I’ll respond when I can” but this doesn’t stop him either, even though my door is shut and locked. He knows the PIN to enter my door because my boss gave it away a couple years ago to someone who wanted to decorate my office. I can’t change the PIN and my boss knows this is happening. I have not directly asked him to stop because he will drag it on and on for days and it makes me uncomfortable . Every time he’s done something that’s made me uncomfortable and I’ve said so, that’s what happens. How do I get my coworker to leave me the F alone? He is stressing me out so badly that it’s impacting my personal life outside of work. I can’t complete as many things in a day as I would like, because he won’t stop bothering me. You can’t get him to leave you the F alone without directly telling him to. Communicating by sign clearly isn’t working, so you’ve got to speak up: “Please stop entering my office without being invited. It’s breaking my focus and disrupting my work.” And then if he keeps doing it, address it in the moment: “I’m on deadline and can’t talk right now” and “I’m really busy so can’t have you in here.” If he reacts badly to that, then talk to your boss, cite the disruption to your work, and ask to have the PIN changed. Also, you said he works for a different company. Unless he’s his own boss, can you have a word with his boss over there? Continually using someone’s PIN to enter their office against their will multiple times a day is something any reasonable manager would be glad to put a stop to if asked. 5. Asking about a job that hasn’t been advertised yet An employee of a company has mentioned that a job may be coming up that might be a good fit for me. I have researched the job on their website but the job has not been posted and I have questions regarding whether I have all the skills for this job. Would it be showing initiative to inquire to the manager about this possibility and request visiting the site to learn more about the position? Asking to visit the site to learn more about a job that you haven’t been invited to interview for yet — and which hasn’t even been advertised yet — would be way too much. If they want to spend time talking with you about the position, they will express that by inviting you to interview after you apply and they’ve reviewed your materials and determined you’re a strong enough candidate to move forward. But none of that has happened yet. If you felt more certain that you would be a strong fit for the job, you could maybe email the hiring manager with your resume and say you heard that job might be opening up and you’d love to be considered when it is … but with a job where you’re not even sure you’re qualified and which hasn’t been posted yet, and you really just want to learn more about it, that’s going to feel like overkill, not initiative (or at least not appropriate initiative, which is an important modifier on that word). If you know the employee who originally mentioned the job, you could ask them if they know when it’s likely to open up, but otherwise just keep watching for it. View the full article

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The home service industry is poised for growth in 2025, fueled by a recovering housing market, increasing consumer confidence, and record-high adoption of digital payments, according to Jobber’s latest Home Service Economic Report: 2024 Review and 2025 Outlook. The report, which aggregates data from over 250,000 home service professionals, details key economic trends and sector-specific insights driving momentum in the industry. Industry Recovery and Market Drivers The report indicates that consumer demand is rebounding, despite economic uncertainty in 2024. While the number of scheduled jobs declined, businesses sustained revenue by adjusting pricing and increasing job sizes. The 5.8% rise in single-family home prices in Q4 2024 has encouraged homeowners to invest in renovations, repairs, and remodeling projects. New housing construction is also expanding, with late-year growth in housing starts signaling greater demand for home service professionals. Additionally, digital payments continued their rapid ascent, with nearly 50% of transactions made digitally in 2024, a figure expected to surpass 50% in 2025. “Our latest report highlights how businesses navigated shifting consumer demand, leveraged digital tools, and adapted their pricing strategies to stay competitive in 2024,” said Sam Pillar, CEO & co-founder at Jobber. “Despite lingering inflation concerns and uncertainty around interest rates, our data shows that demand for home services is rebounding. As the economy stabilizes and policy decisions unfold in 2025, Home Service entrepreneurs have a strong opportunity for growth and long-term success.” Segment-Specific Performance The report breaks down trends across key home service segments, including Green, Cleaning, Contracting, and Construction. Green: The sector, which includes lawn care and landscaping, faced volatility in 2024, with a spring downturn in scheduled work followed by a late-year rebound. Revenue remained steady as businesses offset lower job volumes with higher-ticket services and pricing adjustments. Cleaning: Encompassing residential and commercial cleaning services, the sector saw a slowdown in scheduled work but recovered in the second half of the year. Pricing adjustments helped sustain revenue growth. Contracting: Trades including electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians faced difficulties scheduling new work early in 2024 but experienced a late-year rebound. Construction: Both residential and commercial construction experienced early-year slowdowns but saw surges in April and July before stabilizing. The sector is positioned for improvement with the housing market’s recovery. Outlook for 2025: Cautious Optimism Despite positive indicators, external factors such as political uncertainty and material costs could impact business operations in 2025. “We have a positive but cautious outlook for 2025,” said Abheek Dhawan, Senior VP, Strategy & Analytics at Jobber. “Home Service businesses are seeing more new work get scheduled, steady revenue growth, and a continued increase in digital adoption. On the other hand, there is considerable political uncertainty at the moment, which could impact businesses when they’re purchasing materials. On the whole, the Home Service category remains a critical driver of economic activity in America, and one that is relatively insulated from volatility.” With digital transformation accelerating and consumer spending stabilizing, home service businesses are expected to see continued growth opportunities in the coming year. This article, "Jobber Report Signals Home Service Industry Growth Amid Housing Recovery and Digital Payment Surge" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The home service industry is poised for growth in 2025, fueled by a recovering housing market, increasing consumer confidence, and record-high adoption of digital payments, according to Jobber’s latest Home Service Economic Report: 2024 Review and 2025 Outlook. The report, which aggregates data from over 250,000 home service professionals, details key economic trends and sector-specific insights driving momentum in the industry. Industry Recovery and Market Drivers The report indicates that consumer demand is rebounding, despite economic uncertainty in 2024. While the number of scheduled jobs declined, businesses sustained revenue by adjusting pricing and increasing job sizes. The 5.8% rise in single-family home prices in Q4 2024 has encouraged homeowners to invest in renovations, repairs, and remodeling projects. New housing construction is also expanding, with late-year growth in housing starts signaling greater demand for home service professionals. Additionally, digital payments continued their rapid ascent, with nearly 50% of transactions made digitally in 2024, a figure expected to surpass 50% in 2025. “Our latest report highlights how businesses navigated shifting consumer demand, leveraged digital tools, and adapted their pricing strategies to stay competitive in 2024,” said Sam Pillar, CEO & co-founder at Jobber. “Despite lingering inflation concerns and uncertainty around interest rates, our data shows that demand for home services is rebounding. As the economy stabilizes and policy decisions unfold in 2025, Home Service entrepreneurs have a strong opportunity for growth and long-term success.” Segment-Specific Performance The report breaks down trends across key home service segments, including Green, Cleaning, Contracting, and Construction. Green: The sector, which includes lawn care and landscaping, faced volatility in 2024, with a spring downturn in scheduled work followed by a late-year rebound. Revenue remained steady as businesses offset lower job volumes with higher-ticket services and pricing adjustments. Cleaning: Encompassing residential and commercial cleaning services, the sector saw a slowdown in scheduled work but recovered in the second half of the year. Pricing adjustments helped sustain revenue growth. Contracting: Trades including electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians faced difficulties scheduling new work early in 2024 but experienced a late-year rebound. Construction: Both residential and commercial construction experienced early-year slowdowns but saw surges in April and July before stabilizing. The sector is positioned for improvement with the housing market’s recovery. Outlook for 2025: Cautious Optimism Despite positive indicators, external factors such as political uncertainty and material costs could impact business operations in 2025. “We have a positive but cautious outlook for 2025,” said Abheek Dhawan, Senior VP, Strategy & Analytics at Jobber. “Home Service businesses are seeing more new work get scheduled, steady revenue growth, and a continued increase in digital adoption. On the other hand, there is considerable political uncertainty at the moment, which could impact businesses when they’re purchasing materials. On the whole, the Home Service category remains a critical driver of economic activity in America, and one that is relatively insulated from volatility.” With digital transformation accelerating and consumer spending stabilizing, home service businesses are expected to see continued growth opportunities in the coming year. This article, "Jobber Report Signals Home Service Industry Growth Amid Housing Recovery and Digital Payment Surge" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Focus on your clients...or someone else will. Gear Up for Growth With Jean Caragher For CPA Trendlines Go PRO for members-only access to more Jean Marie Caragher. View the full article

Focus on your clients...or someone else will. Gear Up for Growth With Jean Caragher For CPA Trendlines Go PRO for members-only access to more Jean Marie Caragher. View the full article

A new study by Xodo has identified Google Drive as the most widely used Google productivity tool in the United States, ranking ahead of Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Slides. The study, which analyzed monthly active users and global search volume, also found that New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island lead the country in Google app usage. Google Drive Leads in Productivity App Usage According to the research, Google Drive ranks as the most popular Google productivity tool, with 2 billion monthly active users and a global monthly search volume of 338 million. The cloud storage service, which allows users to store, access, and collaborate on files, achieved a Usage Score of 100. Other top-ranked Google productivity apps include: Gmail – 1.5 billion monthly active users, Usage Score: 41.04 Google Docs – 1 billion monthly active users, Usage Score: 24.26 Google Slides – 800 million monthly active users, Usage Score: 22.61 Google Sheets – 900 million monthly active users, Usage Score: 21.05 “The growing popularity of productivity tools reflects a collective shift toward smarter, more agile workflows,” said Reena Cruz, PDF Productivity Expert at Xodo. “Not only do the best productivity tools save time—they allow users to prioritize more meaningful work.” Regional Trends: Which States Use Google Productivity Tools the Most? The study also examined state-by-state search data to determine which parts of the U.S. use Google’s productivity suite the most. The top 10 states by search volume per 10,000 people are: New York – 3,943.04 searches Massachusetts – 3,928.07 searches Rhode Island – 3,385.15 searches California – 3,326.94 searches Colorado – 3,121.00 searches Virginia – 3,120.92 searches Maryland – 3,063.63 searches New Jersey – 3,052.68 searches Utah – 3,021.01 searches Washington – 2,958.83 searches New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island Lead in Google App Usage New York topped the rankings, with 3,943.04 searches per 10,000 people. The state’s role as a financial and business hub contributes to heavy reliance on cloud-based collaboration tools. Massachusetts followed closely with 3,928.07 searches per 10,000 people, driven by academic institutions such as Harvard and MIT, where tools like Google Docs and Sheets are frequently used for research and education. Rhode Island placed third with 3,385.15 searches per 10,000 people, reflecting the state’s growing business and academic sectors that rely on productivity tools for communication and collaboration. With productivity tools now embedded in workplaces, schools, and creative industries, Google’s suite continues to play a central role in digital collaboration. The study underscores the increasing reliance on cloud-based productivity solutions, particularly in high-tech and education-driven regions. As demand for efficiency grows, Google Drive, Gmail, and Docs remain integral to everyday workflows, allowing businesses and individuals to streamline processes, manage tasks, and collaborate remotely. This article, "Google Drive Tops List of Most Used Google Productivity Apps in the U.S." was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

A new study by Xodo has identified Google Drive as the most widely used Google productivity tool in the United States, ranking ahead of Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Slides. The study, which analyzed monthly active users and global search volume, also found that New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island lead the country in Google app usage. Google Drive Leads in Productivity App Usage According to the research, Google Drive ranks as the most popular Google productivity tool, with 2 billion monthly active users and a global monthly search volume of 338 million. The cloud storage service, which allows users to store, access, and collaborate on files, achieved a Usage Score of 100. Other top-ranked Google productivity apps include: Gmail – 1.5 billion monthly active users, Usage Score: 41.04 Google Docs – 1 billion monthly active users, Usage Score: 24.26 Google Slides – 800 million monthly active users, Usage Score: 22.61 Google Sheets – 900 million monthly active users, Usage Score: 21.05 “The growing popularity of productivity tools reflects a collective shift toward smarter, more agile workflows,” said Reena Cruz, PDF Productivity Expert at Xodo. “Not only do the best productivity tools save time—they allow users to prioritize more meaningful work.” Regional Trends: Which States Use Google Productivity Tools the Most? The study also examined state-by-state search data to determine which parts of the U.S. use Google’s productivity suite the most. The top 10 states by search volume per 10,000 people are: New York – 3,943.04 searches Massachusetts – 3,928.07 searches Rhode Island – 3,385.15 searches California – 3,326.94 searches Colorado – 3,121.00 searches Virginia – 3,120.92 searches Maryland – 3,063.63 searches New Jersey – 3,052.68 searches Utah – 3,021.01 searches Washington – 2,958.83 searches New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island Lead in Google App Usage New York topped the rankings, with 3,943.04 searches per 10,000 people. The state’s role as a financial and business hub contributes to heavy reliance on cloud-based collaboration tools. Massachusetts followed closely with 3,928.07 searches per 10,000 people, driven by academic institutions such as Harvard and MIT, where tools like Google Docs and Sheets are frequently used for research and education. Rhode Island placed third with 3,385.15 searches per 10,000 people, reflecting the state’s growing business and academic sectors that rely on productivity tools for communication and collaboration. With productivity tools now embedded in workplaces, schools, and creative industries, Google’s suite continues to play a central role in digital collaboration. The study underscores the increasing reliance on cloud-based productivity solutions, particularly in high-tech and education-driven regions. As demand for efficiency grows, Google Drive, Gmail, and Docs remain integral to everyday workflows, allowing businesses and individuals to streamline processes, manage tasks, and collaborate remotely. This article, "Google Drive Tops List of Most Used Google Productivity Apps in the U.S." was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article