1. GET STARTED
  2. BEST PRACTICES
  3. IMPROVE
  4. GROW

Here are some best practices to help you get the most out of getting online.

What are your goals for getting online?

Do you want to increase sales? Get more inquiries? Or maybe you want to provide your customers with extra information about your products and services. Your answers to these questions will help you design a website that makes sense for your business. 

What is your business story?

Think about what your customers are interested in knowing about your business. Help them connect with you through your website.  Be open in describing your business and what you are offering.  What examples do you have that demonstrates why you are the best at what you do? It will help customers develop trust for your online storefront.

Who are your customers? What do they want to know about your business?

Know who your customers are.  What kinds of information do your current customers ask about? Do they prefer to see photos of your products or the work you have done for clients? Do they like detailed descriptions about offerings, sizes, packages, volumes, services? Spend some time outlining your offerings.  Ask your current customers for their opinion.

What are other businesses like yours doing online? And, what can you learn from them?

Understanding what other businesses like yours are doing online can help you determine what information to share on your own website.  It can also help you define what differentiates your business from theirs. Identify your unique selling points, because these are what you will want to highlight on your website. 

What online address best represents your business?

Your domain name (also referred to as your website address or url) is your unique address on the Internet.  It is how people will find you online and get to your website.  Choose your website address carefully. Make your domain name as close as possible to your business name.  It will make it easy for customers to remember how to find you. 
Here is an example.  Wanjiru owns a small cake shop.  Her business is named "Sweet Cakes".  A good website address for her to choose would be www.sweetcakes.co.ke  That would make it easy for customers to find her business online. You may find that the domain name you want is already taken by someone.  If your preferred domain name is already taken, try to find a close alternative. In Wanjiru’s case above, if sweetcakes.co.ke was already taken, she can try www.sweet-cakes.co.ke