How Your Small Business Can Thrive Online: Step-by-Step Guide to Launching Your First Website

So, you’ve got your small business thriving locally. You’ve got loyal customers, but the digital age is catching up. People are scrolling through TikTok, shopping on Facebook, and browsing Instagram, but you feel a bit lost when it comes to social media and the idea of creating a website. Sweet! You’re already thinking about the right next step. Building an online presence is crucial to reach more customers, and the best part? It’s not as hard – or as expensive- as you might think. We’ll take it step-by-step, showing you how to launch your first website and transform your business, all without blowing your budget.

Stage 1: Starting with Social Media Presence (The Gateway to Your Audience)

Before you even think about building a website, the simplest and most cost-effective way to dip your toes into the online world is through social media. According to DataReportal, the Philippines had 76 million active social media users in 2023, and platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are where many people discover and engage with brands. If you’re not there, you’re missing out on massive visibility.

Here are a few quick tips to build a social media presence effectively:

• Create a business page on Facebook or Instagram – it’s free.
• Post regularly and engage with your followers.
• Use relevant hashtags and encourage customer reviews.

Check out these 11 tips to build a social media presence to get started. But remember, while social media is great for engagement, it lacks one critical thing – a shopping cart and payment gateway. For that, you’ll need a website.

Stage 2: Why Your Small Business Needs a Website

Think of your social media presence as your digital handshake – it introduces you to new customers. But if you’re looking to sell products or services online, you need a website. According to a Clutch survey, 92% of small businesses with websites said their online presence was critical to their success. Here are 12 reasons why small businesses need a website.

Benefits of Having a Website:

A website allows you to sell products, accept payments, and offer a professional look that boosts trust with potential customers. In short, it turns your social media visitors into paying customers.

Stage 3: Getting Started with Website Development

Now that you understand why a website is essential, let’s talk about how to get started. Building a website doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated.

1. Choosing the Right Platform
   WordPress is the go-to platform for small businesses due to its flexibility, ease of use, and affordability. It powers over 40% of all websites globally, making it the most popular content management system. In the Philippines, working with a WordPress development agency is common due to its cost-effectiveness and local expertise.ServiceCost Range (PHP)Basic WordPress Website15,000 – 30,000E-Commerce Website with SEO40,000 – 80,000Ongoing SEO Services10,000 – 20,000/monthFor a beautifully designed and functional website, consider custom web design and development services that meet your business needs.
2. Working with a Local Web Development Agency
   Collaborating with a digital agency in Manila or any reputable web development agency in the Philippines can ease the technical burden. These agencies specialize in helping small businesses go digital by providing affordable packages that include website design, development, and optimization. Explore the basics of web development to understand the process and resources available.

Stage 4: Optimizing Your Website for Search Engines

It’s not enough to have a website – people need to find it! This is where SEO (Search Engine Optimization) comes in. By optimizing your website for search engines like Google, you can increase your visibility in search results, attracting more visitors to your site. SEO services in the Philippines range from PHP 10,000 to PHP 50,000 per month depending on the level of service and competition.

Hiring an experienced SEO consulting agency in the Philippines can help tailor a strategy that ensures your website is ranked higher, bringing more organic traffic.

Stage 5: Driving Traffic with Social Media Marketing

Once your website is live, it’s time to generate traffic. Social media continues to play a crucial role here. By combining social media marketing with your website, you can direct followers to your site for conversions. This is where a strategic partnership with a social media marketing agency comes into play.

• Leverage Facebook ads to target specific customer demographics.
• Create engaging posts that encourage followers to visit your site.
• Run limited-time promotions exclusive to your website visitors.

You can check out Eunika Agency’s social media marketing services that can help create connections and convert visitors into customers.

For even more ideas, here’s how to increase social media traffic and direct it toward your website.

Stage 6: Integrating E-Commerce Features (Payment Gateways and More)

With your website now operational and traffic building, the final step is to incorporate e-commerce functionality. This includes setting up shopping carts, payment gateways, and product listings. WordPress offers several free and paid plugins to help, with WooCommerce being one of the most popular choices.

Top Payment Gateways in the Philippines:

According to Grit.ph, GCash is the ultimate payment solution in the Philippines because of its vast reach, while DragonPay is a close second due to its flexibility.

Stage 7: Leveraging Digital Marketing to Grow Your Reach

With your website and e-commerce functionalities in place, it’s time to focus on scaling. Investing in digital marketing can exponentially grow your business online. Services like SEM (Search Engine Marketing) can help you generate instant traffic by running ads on Google and other platforms. Check out SEM services to get expert guidance on crafting ad campaigns that drive results.

By incorporating content marketing, you can establish your brand as an authority in your field. Learn more about how to create content that connects and converts with expert content marketing services.

Conclusion: Your Roadmap to Online Success

Launching an online presence isn’t one big leap – it’s a series of manageable steps. Start by building your social media presence, then transition to creating a website with the help of a WordPress development agency in the Philippines. Use SEO and digital marketing strategies to grow traffic, and finally, integrate e-commerce features for full online functionality.

Here’s a quick recap of the steps:

1. Establish a social media presence.
2. Build a WordPress website.
3. Optimize for SEO to increase visibility.
4. Drive traffic with social media marketing and SEM.
5. Integrate payment gateways to sell products or services online.

By taking these stages one at a time, you’ll realize that launching a website and thriving online isn’t as hard or expensive as you might think. Ready to take the next step? Get in touch with Eunika Agency today to discuss how we can help drive your business forward!