Edmonton Business? When is The RIGHT Time to Invest in a Website?

When building your dream business, one of the first points of call will be when and how to build your website.

I'm going through it at the moment. I have a bit of a side hustle going on designing really creative, out-there, dynamic website experiences, just experimenting, and one thing that comes up over and over is that I need to build a website for myself to showcase my work, track my progress, write a blog, and attract clients.

But when's the best time to really commit to that? 

On the one hand, now would be great because I'd get it up and running and wouldn't keep thinking about it. On the other, it's a lot of time and resources that could be spent developing my product and growing my business in more impactful ways.

So, when's the right time?

Here's a complete guide on how to make the decision that's right for you. 

Why "Sooner is Better" for Your Edmonton Website

Right off the bat, as a web developer, I'll tell you that the sooner your website is up, the better.

That's just it. You can go away with that if you like.

You want some more info on why? Okay, let's do it.

First, your website is your online HQ. Social media is great, but you're at the whim of the algorithms and the competition from everyone else. With your website, you have an online space that's 100% yours, up all the time, and people can directly access it.

As a local Edmonton business, this is even more important because people look locally via apps like Google Maps and directories, many of which will only rank you if you have a website.

On top of this, Google takes time to rank websites. If you launch a website today, you're not ranking in the number one spot by the end of the day. It takes months to build up a solid reputation, so the sooner you get that process started, the better.

Google actually had some data leaks earlier in the year (that were later confirmed) that said that "site age" is one of the most important ranking factors for credibility.

The truth is, like I'm doing with my personal projects, I can go back and forth about whether I need a website now and should invest time on it or not, whether I should make that commitment, but the longer I leave it, the more work I'll have to do setting everything up.

Alternatively, if I start now, I can build up something simple, get the ball rolling, and then add to it and build it up over time as me and my business grow. 

This is the approach that works best and will help your business thrive.

Starting Small, Dreaming Big: The MVP Approach

Starting small and building up your website, treating it like a living, breathing organism that needs love and attention, is the best approach.

It means you don't need to go all out and spend a fortune on a website that might not potentially serve your business down the line (leading to expensive redesign and rebuilding projects), but you can still get your name out there and your online presence growing strong.

This approach is what I call the "MVP" approach.

MVP stands for Minimum Viable Product. It's a fancy way of saying, "Start with the essentials, then build from there." 

You build just enough to serve your current needs. As your current needs grow more demanding (perhaps you want to launch an online store, live chat features, and so on), then you build up the website to meet those standards.

After a few months or a few years, you'll have a wicked website loaded with features, great content, and fit-the-purpose design and functionality built with the cost spread.

Think of it like building a house. You wouldn't start with the fancy jacuzzi and home theatre, right? 

You'd build the foundation, the walls, the roof – the core stuff you need to live in it.

Your website is the same. Here in Edmonton, whether you're a trendy coffee shop in Old Strathcona or a construction company building in Windermere, your MVP website needs these key pages:

• Homepage: Your welcome mat! This is where you make a killer first impression with a clear message about who you are and what you offer.
• About Us: Edmonton loves to support local. Share your story, your values, and what makes your business unique.
• Contact: Make it easy for customers to reach you with your phone number, email, and physical address (if you have one).
• Services/Products: This is where you showcase the goods! Clear descriptions, enticing photos, and maybe even some customer testimonials.

At this stage, focus on core functionality. 

Make sure your website is easy to navigate, looks good on phones (super important for those Edmonton folks on the go!), and has basic SEO in place so people can actually find you on Google.

For example, imagine a new bakery popping up in Ritchie. Their MVP website might feature their signature cakes, a bit about their locally sourced ingredients, and a contact form for custom orders. 

Simple, effective, and delicious! 😋

The beauty of the MVP approach is that you can always add more later. As your business grows, so can your website. But starting small lets you get online quickly, test the waters, and avoid getting bogged down in unnecessary features.

Scaling Up Your Website as You Grow

Once you've got your MVP website up and running, remember the journey doesn't stop there. As your Edmonton business gains traction, it's time to think about levelling up that online presence.

But how do you know when it's time to add more features? 

Here's the thing: let your business milestones guide you. Have you seen a significant jump in revenue? Are you expanding your team or your service offerings? These are all signs that your website might need a boost to keep up with your growth.

So, what kind of advanced features are we talking about? Well, here are a few ideas to get those wheels turning:

• E-commerce integration: Ready to start selling those handcrafted goods online? Adding an e-commerce platform to your website opens up a whole new world of possibilities.
• Customer portals: Want to give your clients a VIP experience? Customer portals allow them to log in, access exclusive content, track orders, and manage their accounts.
• Blog section: This is where I shine! 😉 A blog is a fantastic way to share your expertise, connect with your audience, and boost your SEO. Think helpful tips, industry insights, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into your Edmonton business.
• Online booking/scheduling: Whether you're a hair salon in Whyte Ave or a consultant offering online sessions, online booking makes it super convenient for customers to schedule appointments.

But here's a word of caution: Don't just add features for the sake of adding features. Too much clutter can overwhelm your visitors. Instead, focus on features that truly enhance their experience and align with your business goals.

And how do you know what works? 

Well, that comes down to analytics.

Tools like Google Analytics (or just your website dashboard) can give you valuable insights into how people use your website.

Pay attention to things like bounce rate (how quickly people leave your site), time spent on a page, and popular pages. This data can help you identify areas for improvement and ensure your website is always working its magic.

E-commerce: A Special Case

There is one website case that I would go all out on from the beginning, at least a lot more than I typically would with other websites, is an e-commerce store.

An e-commerce website isn't just a storefront or online space, it is your product, so it needs to pop.

This means making sure the design is fluid, the functionality is there, everything is mobile responsive and secure, and the product pages are designed to sell. 

The thing with selling online is that the experience needs to be top-notch, both to encourage the user to buy and to help them believe they're making a good decision and using a business they can trust, so invest.

But again, you don't need every feature under the sun. Instead, aim for a high-quality MVP (which will be more than a standard website), but see how people are using your website. Ask for feedback, see where the bottlenecks are, and then go to build more and make improvements. 

Of course, building a successful e-commerce website takes time and effort, but the rewards can be huge. Just remember to put yourself in your customer's shoes and create an online shopping experience that's smooth, secure, and oh-so-satisfying.

Wrapping It Up

And there we have it, the question answered. 

You don't need to go all out (although you can if you have a clear vision in mind) but rather take your time building your website and letting it expand and improve over time. Hopefully you're feeling pretty fired up now and you're ready to get the ball rolling.

If you're there, then it's probably time to reach out to Ignite Web Design. Based right here in Edmonton, we know how to make local websites that pop off and serve the city right.

We'll design everything, provide you with a clear roadmap moving forward, and basically offer everything you need to grow the site right. With this pressure off your hands and taken care of, you can focus your attention on the more important areas of your business.

Get in contact with us today to see how we can help you create the website you've been looking for. No more guesswork. Remember, the most important thing is getting started.

And there's no better time to do that than today.