You have decided you need a website. But before you spend money, here are the key things you must know to make sure you get the right website for your needs.
1. What Do You Want to Use the Website For?
First, decide why you need a website. What is its main purpose?
- Do you want to sell products and services online?
- Will it serve as an official online brochure to showcase your business and contact details?
- Do you need a platform for customer bookings or charitable donations?
Your website should be designed based on its purpose.
Do you need a website? Click here or contact us on 059 894 2436.
Essential Pages Every Website Needs:
Every website will typically have these main pages:
- Home Page: The first page visitors see, summarizing your website.
- About Page: Includes your business description, mission, and founder details.
- Services/Shop Page: Explains your services or lists products for sale.
- Contact Page: Provides contact details and a message form.
Some businesses may need additional pages. For example:
- Construction companies and NGOs – A Projects page to showcase completed work.
- Fitness centres and consultants – A Booking page for appointments.
- Churches – A Donations and Prayer Request page.
- Schools – A Gallery and Online Application page.
Do you need a website? Contact us on 059 894 2436.
2. Cost Considerations
Every website, no matter the web designer, has three main cost components:
Domain Name (Web Address)
Your domain name is your business’s online identity. Choose a short and easy-to-remember name.
Buying a domain name is like registering a business with the Registrar General’s Department.
Examples:
- Business websites:
.com, .co - NGOs:
.org - E-commerce:
.shop
You can also use sub-domains, which are part of a main domain. For example, business.ghanayellowpages.com is a sub-domain of ghanayellowpages.com.
Hosting (Where Your Website Lives)
Websites are stored on computers called hosting servers. Think of hosting like renting an office online. Without hosting, your website cannot be accessed.
💡 Recommendation: I suggest Hostinger because they offer:
✅ A free domain name (web address) for one year
✅ 100 free email addresses
✅ Fast and reliable hosting
Like rent and business registration, you must renew your hosting and domain name every year.
Do you need a website? Click here or contact us on 059 894 2436.
Web Design Fees
Once you have your domain and hosting, your web designer will build the site.
💡 Keep costs reasonable:
- A website is a support service, not the core business for most industries.
- Construction companies, farms, schools, and so on shouldn’t overspend on a website.
- Online marketplaces like Jiji and Jumia, where the website is the business, can justify higher costs.
- A reasonable budget: Anything above GHC 3,000 is high unless your website has advanced features.
3. Design Essentials
Mobile-First, Responsive Design
Most people browse the internet on their phones, not laptops or tablets.
👉 Ensure your website looks good and functions well on mobile devices first.
E-Commerce Payment Integration
If you’re selling online, you need secure payment options.
💡 Recommendation: Use Paystack for smooth transactions with:
✅ Mobile Money (all networks)
✅ VISA & MasterCard
✅ Apple Pay and more
Do you need a website? Click here or contact us on 059 894 2436.
4. SEO and Security
SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
SEO helps your website appear on Google search results. To improve visibility:
- Use keywords related to your business.
- Ensure your website loads fast.
- Add meta descriptions to describe your pages to search engines.
Website Security
Hackers often target websites, so security is essential.
🔒 After final payment, I install security features to:
✅ Block suspicious IP addresses
✅ Prevent hacking attempts
Conclusion
By considering these factors, you’ll get a professional, cost-effective website that supports your business goals. If you need help designing your website, feel free to reach out!
Do you need a website? Click here or contact us on 059 894 2436.