There are many companies out there that will build you a website in any coding language you can think of (if you choose to think of coding languages). All languages share a common need to appeal to search engines which in the end is exactly what you are seeking, results.
Chances are you don’t care about code or any terms relating to code. What you care about, and what you should care about are the same. RESULTS. Is it enough to build a website, no matter how it looks, operates and advises you? I’ve seen some terrible looking websites that rank well on Google. Aesthetically void of appeal. The problem is search engines don’t really care about beautiful graphics, they care about content, copy and images with descriptions. So a well ranking website doesn’t necessarily have to look good at all. There are many companies that will tell you that it is enough to just be present and show up… but I ask you, how many websites have you visited and left immediately because the site looked held together with scotch tape and prayer?
Particularly if you are in an industry that is in the business of selling a product or service. Appearance is often a huge deciding factor, at least on face value it is what most people will choose first. (They will at least give the better looking alternative the first shot.) A website should be about providing YOU that first shot opportunity.
So what are the crucial keys to building a good website? (It is actually pretty straight forward)
1. Have someone build it that knows how to make the content you do have not only search engine optimized but also aesthetically pleasing. If you want the added expense of a completely custom design, by all means choose a company that wants to charge you 8 to 10 thousand dollars (or more). I normally build using WordPress Template files as a starting point, which cuts down on your cost and my prices. These templates are molded into the perfect site for you that has your unique look and feel, but all the necessary functions of a much more expensive custom design (including responsive design). WordPress is also the most widely used CMS system world-wide.
2. Make sure that it has integration with Analytical data (Google) and custom forms for customer feedback. Forms which quickly email direct to you in the format you want to receive them. (Also make sure that some Anti-Spam method is utilized in your forms.)
3. Run a blog with a weekly blog post. If you are too busy as so many of you are, pay someone to maintain your website. It is one of the most crucial parts of any marketing effort because it is always available (given your host doesn’t suffer some sort of failure.) We are so often hit with so many advertising messages we only maintain a partial memory of those messages, hence our reliance on Google to help up track down those messages that we actually remember. Your return on a well maintained site should far out weigh your expense. (Understand that “Free” search results will take time, see key point #4.)
4. We’ve all heard it before, “You’ve got to spend money to make money.” Okay, that is great but I don’t have a lot to spend. Well that is the blessing of digital advertising, control and pay for results model. Pay Per Click (PPC) advertising is perhaps the single most effective method for driving traffic to your website, especially if your website is new, newly remodeled, or just lacking content. Organic search results take time, dedication and authority to earn (keep writing unique content on your blog and in time, your Google ranking will improve.) When you go with a company to maintain your website, writing blogs and keeping up with your PPC, make sure you get in bed with a partner you can trust. Make sure that they have set you up to be billed direct through Google for your PPC campaign.