DIY Affordable Websites: Because 'Word of Mouth' Doesn't Always Work Online

Small-town businesses in Alberta thrive on community connections, loyal customers, and of course… word of mouth. Problem is, in 2024, word of mouth only gets you so far. If your business isn’t online, it will be invisible to anyone beyond your immediate circle, and that’s not great for growth. The good news is: you don’t need a hefty budget or a tech degree to change that. In this article, we’re going to look into how even small-town businesses in Alberta can create affordable, DIY websites that work. Grab your coffee (or something stronger!), and let’s get to it!

Why Every Small-Town Business in Alberta Needs a Website

Before we jump into the how-to part, let’s approach the “why.” You might be thinking, “I know everyone in town, why would I need a website?” Here’s why: even in small towns, people are searching online for products, services, and recommendations. They might not ask your neighbor for a referral—they might just Google it. If your business isn’t showing up in those search results, you’re missing out on a pile of potential customers.

And let’s not forget the tourists or newcomers to your town. They don’t know the local hotspots or the best place to get a home-cooked meal. What they do know is how to use Google, and if your business isn’t listed there, guess what? They’ll end up at your competitor’s place. That’s why an affordable website for small businesses is a must-have, even in the coziest corners of Alberta.

Step 1: Choose the Right Website Builder for Your Small Business

Okay, so let’s talk about how to actually build one—without draining your wallet. The good news? You don’t need to hire a fancy web designer to get a professional-looking website. There are plenty of DIY website builders that are user-friendly and won’t break the bank.

Here are a few popular options for creating a budget-friendly website:

• WordPress: The go-to for many small businesses, WordPress offers flexibility, thousands of templates, and a lot of room to grow. It’s affordable, especially if you stick to the basics and don’t get carried away with premium plugins.

• Squarespace: A great option if you want a clean, modern design without the hassle of coding. Squarespace offers a range of templates that make your business look like a million bucks, even if your budget is much smaller.

• Wix: Known for its drag-and-drop simplicity, Wix is perfect for those who want to get a site up and running fast. It’s cost-effective, and you can customize it to your heart’s content.

• Weebly: Another easy-to-use platform that’s perfect for small businesses looking for simplicity and affordability. Weebly also offers great e-commerce options if you’re planning to sell products online.

These website builders are affordable and provide all the tools you need to create a professional website that represents your brand without needing to know how to code. Choose the one that feels right for you, and let’s keep this train rolling.

Step 2: Keep It Simple, Keep It Effective

Once you’ve picked your website builder, it’s time to design your site. And first thing that must be said is this—when it comes to a website design for small-town businesses, less is more. You don’t need all the bells and whistles that large corporations have. Instead, focus on the essentials:

1. Home Page: This is your virtual storefront. Keep it welcoming, clear, and to the point. Let visitors know who you are, what you offer, and why they should stick around.

2. About Page: People in small towns love knowing who they’re doing business with. Share your story, your values, and what makes your business unique.

3. Services/Products Page: List what you offer, and be as clear as possible. Whether you’re a bakery, a mechanic, or a boutique, make sure your products or services are easy to find and understand.

4. Contact Information: Don’t make people hunt for this. Include your phone number, email address, and location on every page if possible. Bonus points for including a map.

5. Testimonials: Word of mouth might not always work online, but ratings and reviews sure do. If you have satisfied customers, ask them for a testimonial and showcase it on your site.

6. Call to Action (CTA): What do you want visitors to do? Call you? Visit your store? Make sure every page has a clear CTA to guide them.

Remember, your website is an extension of your business. It doesn’t need to be overly complicated—it just needs to work. Keep it simple, keep it effective, and you’re golden.

Step 3: Optimize for Mobile (Because Everyone’s on Their Phone)

Here’s a fun fact: More than half of all web traffic comes from mobile devices. That means if your website isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re potentially losing a huge chunk of visitors. The good news? Most website builders like WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, and Weebly have ‘mobile-responsive templates’, which means your site will automatically adjust to look good on phones and tablets.

Make sure you test your website on a mobile device. Check that all the buttons are clickable, the text is easy to read, and the images load properly. You want your website to be just as easy to use on a phone as it is on a computer. If your website looks like a hot mess on mobile, people will bounce.

Step 4: Hosting and Domain Name (It’s Not as Complicated as It Sounds)

If you’re building your own website, you’ll need two things: ‘hosting’ and a ‘domain name’. Think of hosting as the plot of land where your website lives, and your domain name as the address where people find you. You need to have both of these things to have a website, just as you would need land to for a home, and an address, to make it findable.

For hosting, you can usually find affordable options through your website builder. For example, WordPress offers hosting packages that are budget-friendly and reliable. Other options like Bluehost and SiteGround are also popular for small businesses.

As for your domain name, keep it simple and relevant to your business. Ideally, it should be your business name (e.g., www.yourbusinessname.com). If your preferred domain is taken, consider adding your location (e.g., www.yourbusinessnamealberta.com).

Here’s a pro tip: If you’re using WordPress, check out their affordable plan for small businesses, especially if you’re just getting started. It’s a solid option to keep costs low while still getting your website up and running.

Step 5: SEO (Search Engine Optimization)—I know, I know. It sounds scary but hear me out.

Now that your website is up, it’s time to make sure people can find it in their search results, right? This is where SEO, or search engine optimization, comes into play. Basically, SEO is the practice of optimizing your website so that it ranks higher on search engines like Google.

Here’s how you can get started with basic SEO for your small-town Alberta business website:

1. Use Relevant Keywords all across your website: Keywords are the phrases people type into search engines when they’re looking for something. For example, if you’re a bakery in Alberta, use keywords like “Alberta bakery” or “affordable cakes in Alberta” throughout your site. But don’t overdo it—Google frowns upon ‘keyword stuffing’. Make sure it all sounds natural.

2. Optimize Your Images: Make sure your images have descriptive file names and alt text. For example, instead of “IMG1234.jpg,” use “alberta-bakery-cakes.jpg.” You will know when the option to change this is upon you, I promise. 😎

3. Create Quality Content: The more useful and relevant your content is, the more likely it is that Google will rank it higher. Keep your blog posts, service descriptions, and testimonials up to date.

4. Get Backlinks: Backlinks are links from other websites to yours. The more high-quality backlinks you have, the more trustworthy your site looks to search engines. Reach out to local businesses or bloggers and see if they’re willing to link to your site.

5. Use Meta Tags: Meta tags are snippets of text that describe a page’s content; they don’t appear on the page itself but in behind the scenes settings that will naturally cross your path as you build your site. Use relevant keywords in your descriptions to improve your SEO.

If you’re using WordPress, consider installing an SEO plugin like Yoast SEO, which can help guide you through optimizing your site step by step. For other platforms like Squarespace and Wix, SEO tools are often built in, making it easier for you to optimize as you go.

For a deep dive into SEO basics, check out Google’s SEO Starter Guide.

Step 6: Keep It Updated (Because a Website Isn’t a Set-It-and-Forget-It Deal)

One common mistake small-town businesses make is thinking that once their website is live, their work is done. Sorry to break it to you, but websites need to be maintained. That doesn’t mean you have to overhaul it every month, but keeping your content fresh and up-to-date is crucial.

If you run special promotions, update your website with the details. If your hours change, reflect that online. And if you’ve started offering new services, shout it from the digital rooftops! Regular updates keep your site relevant and show potential customers that you’re active and engaged.

Consider adding a blog to your website. This is where you can share news, updates, or even just thoughts related to your business and community. Blog posts don’t have to be long or fancy—they just need to be authentic. Plus, regularly updated content can boost your SEO.

Step 7: Monitor and Adjust (You Got This!)

Once your website is up and running, don’t just set it aside and hope for the best. Regularly monitor its performance using tools like Google Analytics or the analytics dashboard provided by your website builder. These tools will help you understand how many visitors you're getting, where they’re coming from, and which pages they’re spending the most time on. Want help learning to access your analytics? Contact us! We're here to answer questions!

Here’s what to look out for:

1. Traffic Sources: Are people finding you through search engines, social media, or directly typing in your URL? Knowing this can help you focus your marketing efforts.

2. Popular Pages: Which pages are attracting the most visitors? Make sure your most popular pages are optimized with clear calls to action.

3. Bounce Rate: If visitors are leaving your site quickly, it might mean your content isn’t engaging, or your website isn’t user-friendly. This is a signal to revisit those pages and make improvements.

4. Conversion Rate: If your website has a goal, like getting people to call you or sign up for a newsletter, track how often that happens. If it’s low, you may need to tweak your site to make the call to action more enticing.

Based on your findings, you can make adjustments to improve your website's performance. Whether it’s tweaking your content, updating your SEO strategy, or streamlining your design, continuous improvement is key.

Wrapping It Up: Your Affordable Website is Ready to Roll

Building a website for your small-town Alberta business doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With the right tools and a little bit of time, you can create a professional, user-friendly site that helps your business stand out—both locally and online.

Remember, your website is a reflection of your brand. Keep it simple, keep it updated, and most importantly, keep it true to who you are. Whether you're a cozy café, a local artisan, or a trusted mechanic, your website can be your most powerful marketing tool. So go ahead—get online, show off what you’ve got, and let your business shine beyond your town’s borders.

And if you ever feel overwhelmed, just remember: the ‘pickle got you, ya’know? Contact us with questions or requests for future guides and articles. 😎🥒