Small Business starting up ....any help appreciated!

[Fairfields]

Hello,
I am starting a training company as a health professional. Up to now the start up cost has been minimal. I have access to office, phone, internet and conference room. My concerns are regarding a website. I wish people to be able to book on line and I also need to be mobile friendly. The more I read the more confused I get. Basically, my knowledge and my training is what I am selling, this much I know. But am I e commerce, do I need google ads, can I build the website myself, can I host myself.
I know my target audience and the point of the business is to generate work for myself. I have spent hours trawling the internet for advice. I have domain name, registered company........now I just keep eating chocolate. Truly any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Donna77]

Hi,
Is the training that you provide something that people already know they need (i.e. they can't get work without it/need a refresher course regularly), or do you have to 'create' the need?
If it is the first, where and how do they look for courses?
If it's the second, where do you need to be to convince them? As I guess they aren't searching.
I think answering this will help others on here to give advice.

 

[Fairfields]

Morning,
Thank you for your reply. It is legislation so annual courses and refreshers are mandatory so the they would need to find us online and book a course online. You could not work without them. When I was in the position looking for myself the company I worked for sent me links but I didn't have to use them specifically. The course/refresher had to comply with legislation but I could not work without it.
Many thanks

 

[profitxchange]

The problem is most users would already have their provider. You will need to displace them - that's harder than you might think. good luck

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

Hello,
I am starting a training company as a health professional. Up to now the start up cost has been minimal. I have access to office, phone, internet and conference room. My concerns are regarding a website. I wish people to be able to book on line and I also need to be mobile friendly. The more I read the more confused I get. Basically, my knowledge and my training is what I am selling, this much I know. But am I e commerce, do I need google ads, can I build the website myself, can I host myself.
I know my target audience and the point of the business is to generate work for myself. I have spent hours trawling the internet for advice. I have domain name, registered company........now I just keep eating chocolate. Truly any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

I wouldnt try and DIY - get a good web designer to do this for you.

 

[tony84]

Is your website going to be wheere the bulk of your business comes from?
If so...Why in a million years would you not invest the money in your shop window?

You can build it yourself and you can host it yourself. But if your site goes down, someone hacks it...what will you do?

If you want to do it on the cheap, you can get some hosting - there are plenty of hosting providers on this site. So long as it has cpanel, most will do the job. You can install a program called wordpress which has plugins and I am sure it has some sorrt of diary management/booking plug in for free that is easy enough to install or the host I am sure would happily help guide you.

If you want to accept payments online you need to speak to someone like sagepay or you could use paypal I suppose.

It can be as easy or complicated as you like, but if your website s going to be your main source of income and you do not have a clue what you are doing (thats how it comes across by the questions you are asking...not that it is wrong to ask questions btw) then it would be wise to invest money in the right places.

You also need to ensure your website is being found, so you can pay for SEO, social media marketing, etc etc, it can be costly but to give you an idea. My website brought in about 50% of my income last year. I know how to do the basics of SEO and started a degree in web design, imagine how much more I could make if I invested in a web designer/marketing company. Or imagine how much less I would have earned if my website was a pile of crap (some would argue it is ).

 

[Fairfields]

Thank you very much. You have offered sound advice. I shall go down the route of assistance with the website as quite rightly, in this department I am a total novice.
Thank you for taking the time to reply.

 

[ethical PR]

@Fiscix is definitely worth having a chat with.

 

[Scott@KarmaContent]

@Fiscix is definitely worth having a chat with.

Indeed he would be. As well as building you a site I know for a fact he has a neat little plugin that will enable you to post courses and let people easily book in and pay online.

 

[Root 66 Woodshop]

@Fiscix is definitely worth having a chat with.

^^ This!

he may not be as sunny and smiley as most - but he knows dishit,...

with regards to your training... legislation to what exactly... what area please?

 

[Fairfields]

Health and Childcare

 

[jamieclick]

As people have mentioned it really is worth making a solid investment into your website as it sounds like that will be one of the main places for your business to bring in sales, my advice though, plan plan plan.

Don't have someone build you a website in 2 weeks, you need to work closely with somebody who will help you plan every part of the website from getting a visitor to the site all the way to what happens once they have signed up.

Feel free to reach out if you need any guidance or just what me to send over some resources to help you move forward.

Thanks,
Jamie

 

[Krystsina]

Basically, my knowledge and my training is what I am selling, this much I know. But am I e commerce, do I need google ads, can I build the website myself, can I host myself.
I know my target audience and the point of the business is to generate work for myself. I have spent hours trawling the internet for advice. I have domain name, registered company........now I just keep eating chocolate.

The meaning of e-cmmerce is very flexible: it is basically the trading of any products or services using computer networks. That's why I don't think you should spend your time trying to figure it out as you can invest your time into something more important.

An important thing here is to decide if you would like to give people access to buy your services online or just to have a possibility to book your services online. If you want just to let people book your services as you wrote in your post, but not to pay for them online, then you should include this function to your website through additional services. I can't provide you with a concrete platform as I'm more familiar with booking systems for restaurants, but I'm pretty sure you can find lots of offers for time bookings in the internet.

Yes, you can build your website yourself. Here is the list of website builders:

• wix.com
• weebly
• SquareSpace
• GoDaddy
• Jimdo

I think you should also spend some time to promote your services through social media platforms. If you say you know your target audience, simply think at what platforms you can reach the most of your audience.

 

[MikeJ]

Yes, you can build your website yourself. Here is the list of website builders:

• wix.com
• weebly
• SquareSpace
• GoDaddy
• Jimdo

What's that noise? I do believe it's the sound of a dozen web designers exploding with rage

 

[tony84]

I dont know much about those website builders, but I have seen some wix.com sites and I would not go near them with a barge pole. They have their place, but for a professional business looking to generate their business through your website you need something better.
A drawing by a toddler advertising your services placed on the side of your nans fridge that nobody sees would probably generate your more business.

A respectable business should not be using crap like that.

 

[Krystsina]

What's that noise? I do believe it's the sound of a dozen web designers exploding with rage

It is funny But I believe these builders were made by web designers too And it is a good option for those who don't have a budget to hire a web designer as well.

 

[Root 66 Woodshop]

I think as above says - outsource your website requirements...

As a Health and Childcare representative would you honestly expect someone to deal with you if you've created your own website on a wix base site? looks unprofessional and will no doubt kill your business.

Expand your business further by investing in a professionally built website and make sure they don't even consider anything like wix or weebly... eurghh

EDIT: 2 years ago we were looking at expanding on to the web with an online presence selling products online - to be honest and blunt... the guys that came in all suggested different things ... one even came up with a wix based online shop... all for £3000 - to put it politely I told him to stop wasting my time and F*** off... professional my @ss! lol

 

[Krystsina]

I dont know much about those website builders, but I have seen some wix.com sites and I would not go near them with a barge pole. They have their place, but for a professional business looking to generate their business through your website you need something better.
A drawing by a toddler advertising your services placed on the side of your nans fridge that nobody sees would probably generate your more business.

A respectable business should not be using crap like that.

I'm fascinated by the templates SquareSpace provides - you should have a look, for example, at this template: https://www.squarespace.com/websites/templates/hayden

Of course, everyone has his/her own definitions of "crap", but I wouldn't definitely add this builder's templates into it.

 

[Root 66 Woodshop]

It's basic and looks similar to most sites... probably self explanatory there... i.e. most sites may well be built to such a "basic" template...

IMHO a website should be attractive, informative and stand out from the rest.

 

[Krystsina]

IMHO a website should be attractive, informative and stand out from the rest.

Could you please provide some examples of such outstanding websites?

For me, most of the websites are very similar as they provide the same functions. And personally, I think that there is no need to have high level requirements to a website to stand out of the crowd. As long as it is informative and presentable. The most important to make your services be on the high level. I don't think that you need to go to a creative agency to find a creative solution for health professional services. People can be impressed by your website design, but it is more important to make them impressed by your service.

 

[Root 66 Woodshop]

Sorry, wasn't aware this was school ... I said IMHO a website should be attractive, informative and stand out from the rest... I didn't say it has too.

But seeing as some don't get where others are coming from... here's a couple of links to two businesses in the same field.

www.safe.co.uk

www.securesafe.co.uk/

both are two different online companies that dropship safes... yet as I look at both "different" websites they look remarkably similar... Why? Because they're using a basic template...

I personally wouldn't buy from either, mainly because it's the field that I'm in myself... but neither site is attractive... yes they're informative - i.e. they give the exact same description on products... but there still virtually the same, nothing stands out.

The only reason I believe that any two websites should be similar or have the same template is if they're the same company offering different services and products i.e. electronic security and mechanical security.

 

[Root 66 Woodshop]

Going back to the OP... the OP is not an E-commerce company therefore doesn't need to sell through the website, they can direct people to contacting them via email or phone call to discuss the services that she has to offer.

 

[tony84]

I'm fascinated by the templates SquareSpace provides - you should have a look, for example, at this template: https://www.squarespace.com/websites/templates/hayden

Of course, everyone has his/her own definitions of "crap", but I wouldn't definitely add this builder's templates into it.

Your talking about the design. Im talking about what is underneath. You could have a beautiful car on your drive, but if there is no engine in it, whats the point.

A badly built website is more likely to be hacked, less likely to rank in the search engines, could load slower etc etc. Using one of the examples you gave also means you do not own the site. If they decide to pull it there is nothing you can do. If they go under, you do not have a copy as a back up. You own the source code and are free to edit it til your hearts content meaning it is much more fluid should the owners needs change.

For say £100 and maybe £5 a month, you could get wordpress installed, set up and hosted on a site you own 100% of. It wont be the best site ever but it will do the job a lot better than some of those sites you listed. There are thousands of free plugins and templates with wordpress and the like.

 

[Claire Freshney]

I'm a Website Designer. I am just launching a very 'easy' way to create websites - pay monthly and fantastic quality with 24/7 support.

One of the frustrations that led me to develop this platform, which is called Jam Sponge by the way, is so many Website Providers do not appeal to the 'start up' market. Yes ok, Wix does etc BUT they do not talk the language of the Customer. I bet half of them don't even know what hosting is and thats ok.

Websites need to be mobile friendly and easy to use and look snazzy. Thats the core of it.

You only need an e-commerce website if you are selling products and the user needs to make a purchase - if not you just need a standard 5 page site.

Inbox me if you want some more help.

https://www.facebook.com/thejamspongeuk/

 

[Krystsina]

mainly because it's the field that I'm in myself

Exactly! Because for me as a simple customer both of the websites look absolutely normal. I wouldn't say they look "remarkably similar" - unless you would call any e-commerce website similar just because they all have the same functions making them being able to sell Or are they similar because they have similar products? And if I'd be in need of security products, I wouldn't mind being it from any of these websites: when it comes to the necessity, I don't think about the website of a company, I think about getting the product

 

[woodss]

I'm a Website Designer. I am just launching a very 'easy' way to create websites - pay monthly and fantastic quality with 24/7 support.

Can you really offer 24/7 support for a low paying customer? What about 15 low paying customers? 50? There's a reason people pay big money for that type of thing - it's because it is very difficult. Imagine, if you will, 20 of your websites go down at once. Not unrealistic if you host them on the same server. Sure, you can fix this if you have backups but it will take time and can you do it while you're fending off angry phonecalls about a website being down from those 20 customers?

Good luck with that one.

 

[Root 66 Woodshop]

Exactly! Because for me as a simple customer both of the websites look absolutely normal. I wouldn't say they look "remarkably similar" - unless you would call any e-commerce website similar just because they all have the same functions making them being able to sell

No... it's because they're similar neither look good tbh. Again my personal opinion... seriously, I don't get why that's too difficult for you to understand, nor do I understand why you're taking one small sentence out of a full paragraph of me explaining why... only to attempt to convince either yourself or me that I'm in the wrong for having an OPINION.

Or are they similar because they have similar products?

As above I work in the SAME FIELD... therefore I would buy from a Distributor and not from a Wholesaler or another safe/lock company... TBH... I thought that part would be easy to understand.

And if I'd be in need of security products, I wouldn't mind being it from any of these websites: when it comes to the necessity, I don't think about the website of a company, I think about getting the product

So you would just a buy a product without knowing what it is your buying? Seriously?

You're exactly how rogue traders keep on trading, ripping off the UK in taxes and ripping the consumers off... because you don't consider the consequences because you don't think about where you purchase products from... well done.

Your words, not mine... it's no wonder industries are suffering in the UK with consumers like you.

 

[Krystsina]

So you would just a buy a product without knowing what it is your buying? Seriously?

You're exactly how rogue traders keep on trading, ripping off the UK in taxes and ripping the consumers off... because you don't consider the consequences because you don't think about where you purchase products from... well done.

Your words, not mine... it's no wonder industries are suffering in the UK with consumers like you.

Sorry, but I have to start from the very end as this part was the funniest How did you come up with the question about me not knowing what it is I'm buying? I thought that statement is pretty clear: when I need to buy a product, I look at the product itself, not evaluating meanwhile how unique the website of the company. I think there is no need to explain further, I really hope now you've got the point. But I enjoyed your conclusions about me, well done!

No... it's because they're similar neither look good tbh. Again my personal opinion... seriously, I don't get why that's too difficult for you to understand, nor do I understand why you're taking one small sentence out of a full paragraph of me explaining why... only to attempt to convince either yourself or me that I'm in the wrong for having an OPINION.

I have nothing against your opinion. Moreover, I'm not trying to convince you to change it. I was trying to understand what makes your opinion exactly like this as I didn't find enough of arguments why those two websites are so similar as you said.

As above I work in the SAME FIELD... therefore I would buy from a Distributor and not from a Wholesaler or another safe/lock company... TBH... I thought that part would be easy to understand.

Have to repeat it again. I wrote: "I wouldn't say they look "remarkably similar" - unless you would call any e-commerce website similar just because they all have the same functions making them being able to sell Or are they similar because they have similar products?" - it is not a question why you wouldn't buy from them. It was about why you think they are so remarkably similar.

 

[Root 66 Woodshop]

Sorry, but I have to start from the very end as this part was the funniest How did you come up with the question about me not knowing what it is I'm buying? I thought that statement is pretty clear: when I need to buy a product, I look at the product itself, not evaluating meanwhile how unique the website of the company. I think there is no need to explain further, I really hope now you've got the point. But I enjoyed your conclusions about me, well done!

Again... you've stated that you're not bothered about where you buy it from... hence the conclusion that you'd buy from rogue traders.

I have nothing against your opinion. Moreover, I'm not trying to convince you to change it. I was trying to understand what makes your opinion exactly like this as I didn't find enough of arguments why those two websites are so similar as you said.

Please refer to my previous comments when I stated that the sites are similar neither stand out... that was the point that I was trying to make... yet all you're wittering on about is my personal opinion of the two sites that I used as examples... it's easy... neither stand out.

[Quote
Have to repeat it again. I wrote: "I wouldn't say they look "remarkably similar" - unless you would call any e-commerce website similar just because they all have the same functions making them being able to sell Or are they similar because they have similar products?" -[/quote]

But that is your personal opinion something of which I am neither disputing or concerned about...

The functionality has nothing to do with it for me... neither site has caught my attention or made me consider using them.

The products (if I wasn't in the industry) are what I'm looking for... but as I said... and I'll say it again. .. neither website stands out or makes me want to buy from them... they don't make think, you know what I need one of those I'll buy from here... there is nothing captivating of the product... TBH that will never happen with this industry which is why I think the website has to sell it... neither sites sell the product.

it is not a question why you wouldn't buy from them. It was about why you think they are so remarkably similar.

Because they are!

 

[Realty shield]

wix.com
weebly
SquareSpace
GoDaddy
Jimdo

 

[godoit]

I would go for the diy option. My website is there to support the business and get customers to register rather than a e commerce site.
It was based on a template to get what I wanted then hired someone from freelancer to do the bits I couldn't. All in all got the website I need for 160 with 15 quid a year hosting from Tso host which I highly recommend for hosting.

 

[Krystsina]

Again... you've stated that you're not bothered about where you buy it from... hence the conclusion that you'd buy from rogue traders.

I have no idea how you are coming up with such conclusion, but... whatever

Because they are!

I think this is the great end for our conversation

 

[Root 66 Woodshop]

Sigh!

As I've stated quite clearly I've used your words.

Actually, this should have been the end...

Going back to the OP... the OP is not an E-commerce company therefore doesn't need to sell through the website, they can direct people to contacting them via email or phone call to discuss the services that she has to offer.

but considering you're a typical woman who can't accept that men and women have a difference of opinion... you carried on the whinging about how wrong I am.

 

[cucumber]

"My concerns are regarding a website. I wish people to be able to book on line and I also need to be mobile friendly."

Wo there. Back track. Step back. Why/how on earth do you have concerns regarding a website? Talk about making problems for yourself when you don't have them.

Maybe you want more customers? If so, you have a marketing problem, a nice one, because you've got something good to offer and there are people out there who'll want it. How best to go about that is a marketing problem. And a good answer to it will require a bit of marketing, human situations, values of what you offer, values the kinds of people who are most likely to buy what you're offering have, life scenarios, thinking.

Whatever is the best way (according to a bunch of factors such as cost, most likely to work) of getting more customers is the way to go. That way is just what it is, the best way, and marketing thinking is what'll help work out what that way is.

I'm just trying to stop you spinning wheels and wasting money on a problem you don't have. I'm not saying websites are bad. It may well be that a single simple website is by far the best thing for your marketing problem. On the other hand maybe any website in any shape or form is not a good idea. Who knows. Marketing thinking is what's required.