Websites are Business Assets
Your website is often the first impression a potential customer has of your small business. And, if you’re a perfectionist, you want to make sure it looks just right but that can sometimes mean that your website takes ages to get from draft to launch as it’s constantly in need of tweaking before you think it’s ready to go live.
So, here are some tips on how to get your website finished without overthinking every tiny detail:
1. Set clear milestones and a website brief
First, write yourself a brief of what the goal of the website is – what’s the plan, what does it need to fulfil, what does it look like in your head. Your brief may change over time, in your head, so having something written down will help you to keep on track.
Then, break down the website development process into smaller chunks and assign yourself deadlines for each step. Prioritise the most important elements first so that you can launch your website faster.Â
At the end of each step, check your brief to make sure you’re still on the right path.
If you change your mind along the way, the brief can be altered to reflect the new ideas but keep in mind that this might mean the website takes longer to build, depending on how much needs adding.
2. Involve others
Ask friends, colleagues or experts for their opinion on certain aspects of the website design or layout. Having an outsider look at it objectively can be helpful in keeping things from getting too bogged down in fine details. But, show them the brief so they know what you’re trying to achieve and let them know what the budget and timescales are.Â
3. Keep the website simple
Don’t try to cram every feature and design element into your website right away. Instead, focus on creating a website that has the most essential features for your small business needs first. You can always add more features later as needed – a live simple website is much better and more rewarding to your small business than a complicated website that’s never finished.Â
4. Budget your website accordingly
Before you begin website development, make sure you have an understanding of how much time and money it will take to get it done correctly. This will help you set realistic expectations for yourself and ensure that you don’t go over budget (either in time or money) or become overwhelmed with the project.Â
5. Take breaks from website building
While deadlines are important, it doesn’t mean you have to work 24/7 until your website is complete. Taking regular breaks can help manage stress and keep you from getting distracted or burned out. It also gives your head space to clear out and refocus meaning you get to look at what you’ve done so far with fresh eyes.Â
6. Do some customer research
Ask for input from customers, friends, family and colleagues on how they would use the website and what features they think might be useful. This could help make your website more user-friendly and ensure it meets everyone’s needs. Again, remember to tell them the brief so they have a framework to stick to so they don’t take you off on a tangent. Â
7. Celebrate milestones
Once you reach each milestone, don’t forget to celebrate all of the hard work you put into it. You should feel proud of yourself for creating something that will benefit your small business in big ways!
But if a big celebration at the end, on go live, sounds frightening consider a soft-launch. This is when you go live without the fanfare, giving you time to reflect, fix any niggles and see how it works in the real world without the pressure.Â
Time to get your website up and running
Creating a website as a perfectionist doesn’t have to be a stressful experience or a lengthy one. By breaking down the website creation process into small manageable tasks, you can ensure that everything is done properly and you’re happy with the results at each stage. Remember to ask for help when necessary and celebrate each milestone along the way. With these tips in mind, your website will be up and running in no time!
Happy website creating!Â
Of course, if you need help along the way, get in touch with us below or why not check out our prepayment options?