If you are just starting out as an entrepreneur or have been in business for some time already but still haven't built a website for your company yet, then it's probably not too late. Websites offer so many benefits that they're almost essential for any new startup. They help potential customers find you online which means more sales. A good website also helps you get found by investors who can give your startup money which allows you to grow even faster. It makes sense then, that if you want to be successful at building a startup website, you'll want to make sure you pick one of the most popular sites available on the internet today.
In this article we will show you how to choose the right website platform for your startup based on what you actually need from a website rather than simply telling you about all the different platforms currently available. We'll do this by looking at three key questions every startup needs answered before choosing a site to promote their product or service:
We've covered these topics thoroughly elsewhere - here we'll focus specifically on whether each platform offers features necessary for a startup, and why those specific features matter. If there isn't enough information out there, however, feel free to check our guides on how to research startup websites and how to pitch yourself to investors using social media.
When deciding whether your startup requires a website, first consider how much effort you would like to put into making and maintaining the site yourself versus outsourcing it entirely (or hiring someone else). This depends heavily on your experience level. For example, if you know HTML well but aren't a coder (and don't mind learning), you could hire someone to set up a basic WordPress site instead of paying a developer thousands of dollars to create something custom-made. If you know nothing about coding whatsoever, however, then creating a fully functional website might require several months of work. So before signing anything, ask yourself where you stand when it comes to coding and development skills. Also keep in mind that while a single page website may look simple, adding interactive elements such as forms, contact pages, etc., does take time.
But let's say you decide that you want to go all DIY and code everything yourself, or maybe you prefer to use a specialized hosting provider because you don't have coding knowledge or don't want to invest money in getting started. Before doing either of these things though, think about whether you really need a full-fledged website. There are plenty of other ways to share information about your products and services besides hosting them on a static webpage. The following options exist:
Social Networks: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn
Blogs/Web Pages: Wordpress, Medium, Blogger, Tumblr
Website Apps: Shopify, Squarespace
Mobile App: Android app, iPhone app
There are pros and cons to each option, depending on the type of content you want to share, the way you'd like to interact with people, and the audience you want to reach.
For instance, if you sell physical goods, a blog might be better since you can add images and videos directly to posts. But if you're selling digital downloads, sharing links via Facebook or Twitter or sending emails with opt-in sign ups works great. And if you're operating solely through email marketing, a mobile application might be ideal. In general, apps tend to attract more subscribers than regular websites due to the convenience factor, especially if you're targeting millennials.
So now that we've established that yes, your startup definitely needs a website, let's talk about what kind of site you should have.
The short answer is no. Even if you own the domain name, you won't have access to the website unless you purchase a hosting plan. That said, there are certain types of businesses that can run without a traditional website. As long as you provide ample documentation of your business model and offer proof that you have reached a critical mass of clients, you can legally operate without a website. Whether or not you should pursue this strategy is another question altogether.
Now that we've determined that your startup absolutely must have a website, let's talk about what should be included on that site. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when designing a startup website:
Make it easy to navigate. People shouldn't spend 10 minutes trying to figure out where to click next. You want visitors to easily see exactly what they came for and move quickly along. Include clear call to actions throughout the entire website, including navigation links, buttons, text boxes, and drop down menus. Make sure the homepage contains only one goal or objective per screen, and that the user knows exactly what he or she wants to accomplish within 30 seconds of landing on the home page.
Be consistent across all pages. Your website should represent your brand in the same way everywhere. To ensure consistency, always follow the same typography style, color scheme, and layout.
Use keywords strategically. Use SEO and keyword optimization techniques to rank highly in search results, and make sure the content of your website reflects the terms people are searching for. Be aware that Google doesn't prioritize "business" websites over personal ones, so make sure you optimize your site for both users and search engines alike.
Offer value above and beyond the competition. Startups often lack traffic compared to larger companies, so you'll want to differentiate yourself in some way. Offer unique insights, helpful resources, interesting articles, case studies, or exclusive deals to draw attention. Whatever you do, remember that the purpose of your website is to convert visitors into buyers. Don't ever sacrifice quality for quantity.
Think about your target market. What sort of person uses your product or service to solve problems? Think about demographics and psychographics. Are you catering to techies or non-techies? Do you cater to baby boomers or millennials? Is your product or service aimed toward men or women? How old are your target consumers? These are important factors to consider when determining what kind of website your startup needs.
These are some general guidelines for setting up a startup website. However, each situation is different, so consult with experts on your industry whenever possible. And once again, don't forget to read our guide on how to conduct proper SEO audits for websites!
Startup Website Design Examples
Here are some beautiful startup websites from around the world.
AngelList Startup Site Template
CrunchBase Startup Website Example
HackerEarth Startup Website Design Example
HowStuffWorks Startup Website Example
Techcrunch Startup Website Example
Zendesk Startup Website Example
Shopify Startup Website Example
Squarespace Startup Website Example
WordPress Startup Website Example
Medium Startup Website Example
Tumblr Startup Website Example
Dribbble Startup Website Example
Instagram Startup Website Example
LinkedIn Startup Website Example
Pinterest Startup Website Example
Twitter Startup Website Example
YouTube Startup Website Example
And finally...
It goes without saying that the best website for your startup is the one that you personally enjoy working on. After all, your website will likely become the face of your business for years to come, so it has to be pleasant to browse. Remember to keep your branding colors consistent throughout the whole website--you wouldn't buy clothes from Target, would you?
To sum it up, there are countless reasons why you should build a startup website. But if you're going to ignore the advice given in this article and simply stick to whatever website looks cool, chances are you'll end up regretting it. So please, heed our advice and learn how to choose the best startup website for your business.
Building an online presence is essential if you want to succeed in today's digital economy. But what about when it comes to creating your own startup website? What can you use as a blueprint or guide that will help you understand how to get started with building a site for your new venture?
While many of us may have experience using WordPress for personal blogs or even other sites such as ecommerce platforms like Etsy or Amazon, there are some things we just don't know. There are also plenty of people who claim they're experts at setting up websites but end up doing it wrong because they didn't take time to learn from someone else first.
In this article, we'll explore the basics behind starting your very own website so you can avoid making mistakes along the way. We'll look at why you should consider having one, which types of websites work well for startups, and most importantly, we'll share some tips to ensure you have a successful website launch.
The answer to this question depends on whether you already have a domain name (or know where to find one) and hosting service. If so, then great! You've got everything you need to start building your startup website right now—but if not, keep reading below to discover our top three options for getting set up with a good looking website quickly without paying anything extra.
1. Use a free theme
If you'd rather spend more money than time on your website, then you might be interested in learning more about themes. These are usually designed by developers and come with hundreds of different templates to choose from. Some themes include pre-built pages, forms, navigation menus, social media icons, etc., all ready for you to edit them into your desired layout. Others require you to add these elements yourself, which means you're responsible for ensuring they match your branding colors, fonts, and overall style. Either way, choosing a theme gives you instant access to a lot of cool features, including drag-and-drop page builders, responsive layouts, SEO optimization, and much more.
2. Choose a DIY platform
You could always opt to pay $5 per month for a premium subscription plan with Squarespace or Wix, two popular DIY website creators based in New York City. While the basic plans cost less than $100 annually, you still get access to tons of useful resources that allow you to customize your site exactly how you want it. Plus, both companies offer easy-to-use drag-and-drop editing systems and advanced analytics tools that give you data insights into how visitors interact with your content.
3. Hosting on our own servers
Some of the largest tech brands in the world rely on their own custom software development teams to create apps, websites, and services. This includes Apple, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Netflix, Twitter, Uber, Spotify, and dozens of others. The reason for this practice is simple: It allows them to speed up innovation cycles while minimizing costs, especially since they no longer have to worry about hiring external developers.
But if you're trying to bootstrap your company before you've proven your idea has legs, then relying on a third party host isn't ideal either. So instead, you can go ahead and purchase a virtual private server (VPS), which provides similar benefits at a fraction of the price. VPSs typically run around $10/month, depending on the size of your account and any additional perks you sign up for, meaning you won't break the bank to get started.
Next, let's talk about the type of website you'll need.
To put it simply, a startup refers to a relatively young organization that hasn't been around long enough to establish itself as part of a larger corporation. Instead, it relies heavily on its founders' vision, creativity, passion, and drive to reach customers and achieve success. As such, startups often operate under tight budgets, putting pressure on everyone involved to reduce spending wherever possible. In fact, according to research conducted by Startup Compass, only 1% of businesses surveyed were considered "unicorns" (meaning they had raised over $1 billion).
So you probably shouldn't expect a fancy website from a startup, unless you're planning on selling something expensive or high-ticket items. A lot of startups focus on launching products that solve problems for consumers, rather than focusing on attracting investors. That said, it doesn't mean you can't provide valuable information to potential users through a slick landing page or blog post. For example, here are five key points you must address on every startup website:
1. Your mission statement
Your goal is to clearly state why your startup exists and what problem it solves. Think about how your product fits within the broader scope of society and how it helps improve lives. Does it increase efficiency, save time, empower individuals, prevent disease, or enable interaction between communities? Whatever angle you decide upon, be sure to communicate it throughout your entire website.
2. Brand identity
A brand is essentially a person, place, thing, quality, characteristic, behavior, emotion, slogan, catchphrase, trademark symbol, logo, ad campaign, visual image, sound, smell, taste, color combination, product, package, store, institution, or group of people that represents something unique and desirable. Startups tend to lean toward a specific niche market, so your brand identity should align with the core values of your target audience—in other words, what makes them tick.
3. Customer testimonials
When it comes time to write down reviews, try to find folks who actually used your product and helped them solve some kind of issue. Be sure to ask permission beforehand if necessary, and keep in mind that you don't necessarily want to feature negative feedback. People love to read glowing reviews, so be careful not to exaggerate too much. And remember to link back to your website whenever possible.
4. Pricing structure
This step requires some serious thought. Is your product priced affordably enough for people to invest in it? Or does it cost too much to acquire? Try to gauge customer demand in advance before finalizing the pricing model. Also, think about ways you can lower prices later on once word gets out about your startup.
5. Contact info
Finally, make sure to list vital contact details alongside your phone number and email addresses. This ensures customers can easily get in touch with you via multiple channels. Include a physical address, mailing address, and any relevant links to your website or social profiles.
And finally...
Now that you have a better understanding of what goes into a startup website, let's dive deeper into how to properly implement each element mentioned above.
There are countless reasons a startup would need a website, and each scenario calls for a slightly different approach. Let's highlight four common scenarios and walk through how you can tackle each one:
1. Launch event
For starters, you can showcase your team's accomplishments during a live press conference, meetup, or presentation. Depending on the scale of your endeavor, you can hold a single event or schedule a series of events across various regions. Regardless of how big or small your project turns out to be, you can use a variety of marketing tactics to promote your product to local influencers, journalists, bloggers, and more.
2. Landing page
An effective landing page serves as a gateway to further engagement with prospective buyers. Once they land on your website, you can entice them to download a demo, fill out a form, request a quote, subscribe to a newsletter, or enter their contact information. Since landing pages aren't meant to sell your product outright, they generally emphasize value proposition (i.e., what sets your offering apart from competitors) and call-to-action buttons encouraging visitors to move forward.
3. Blog posts
Blogging offers another option for showcasing your latest news releases. Many startups turn to blogging as a cheap alternative to investing in paid ads or sponsored posts on industry-specific publications. Just like landing pages, you can craft engaging blog articles highlighting your company's achievements and goals. However, unlike landing pages, blog posts aim to educate readers about your upcoming offerings instead of convincing them to buy something immediately.
4. Social media accounts
Social media plays an integral role in helping you connect with customers and prospects alike. Whether you prefer to utilize LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, YouTube, or whatever other platforms fit your needs, you can leverage those networks to cultivate relationships with influential figures in your field. Then, once you secure endorsements from those same people, you can cross-promote their involvement on your website to encourage sales conversions.
These days, it seems like pretty much anyone can start a business. So if you feel like venturing forth into entrepreneurship, then you certainly don't have to limit yourself to traditional brick-and-mortar establishments. With this newfound freedom, you can pursue almost any career path imaginable.
In today’s world, where everything from food to technology is evolving at an unprecedented rate, one needs to stay up-to-date with all that has happened over the last year or so - otherwise they will be left behind by their competitors who are already ahead.
There was once a time when it seemed like there were no rules anymore, but now it seems as if every industry has its own set of unwritten rules, which only those who follow them can survive. The same goes for startups too. As a result, having a good website is more important than ever before. A great website not only gives a sense of professionalism to any startup, it also helps them stand out among other businesses in the market place.
While it is true that many people think that building a website is just another task on top of running a startup, actually, it plays a vital role in the success of a startup. According to recent research conducted by Google Trends, India tops the list of countries where most searches related to ‘startup’ take place. In fact, according to CrunchBase, around 50% of all global venture capital deals in 2019 went to Indian companies. This clearly indicates that Indians are very much interested in starting their own ventures.
So, what does this mean for the rest of us? Well, if we want our startup to get noticed, then we should make sure that we have a website that attracts visitors. And while there are plenty of platforms available online that offer free website templates and designs, these do not necessarily provide anything useful to the entrepreneur building his/her first startup. That's why we've compiled some of the best startup websites for entrepreneurs below.
The internet serves more purpose than simply being a source of information. It provides solutions to problems faced by users, thus making life easier for everyone involved. One such problem that millions of people face each day is finding the right solution to start a new business. However, because of lack of knowledge about how to go about it, these people end up wasting hours searching through blogs and social media channels, without coming across any relevant results. Thus, it becomes imperative for someone working in the field to come up with a way to help others find the answers quickly and efficiently.
That's exactly what AngelList did. They created a platform designed exclusively for entrepreneurs looking to raise investment money by connecting investors directly with startups looking for funds. While AngelList might seem like a simple idea, it really helped thousands of startups gain access to capital within days. Moreover, since 2016, the site has grown into a powerhouse of tech innovation, providing the perfect mix between angel investing and job listings. So whether you're looking to create your next startup or simply look for a better opportunity to work, AngelList could be your answer!
What makes AngelList unique is the ability to connect founders directly with investors via live video calls. Not only does it save both parties time and energy, but also allows them to discuss ideas, plans, and challenges openly and honestly. If you’re thinking of starting your own enterprise soon, then check out AngelList for tips and tricks on how to succeed in this competitive marketplace.
Another website worth mentioning is Startuply. Here, aspiring entrepreneurs post videos explaining their business plan and ask questions to experts in various fields. You don't even have to know how to speak formally or write a proper resume! All you need to do is upload a short 5 minute video containing basic details about your business, including your goals, products, services, etc., along with a link to your website. Your video gets vetted by experienced mentors and experts, after which you receive feedback on how to improve your pitch. Once your video is approved, it starts appearing on the homepage of Startuply, giving potential customers a glimpse into your vision.
Startuply uses crowd-funding as a tool to help its clients reach their target audience faster. Crowd-funded campaigns allow startups to fund their projects with minimal upfront costs, thereby allowing them to focus mainly on growing their brand instead of worrying about finances.
Starting your own business requires a lot of hard work and sacrifice, especially during the initial stages. But not every person is cut out to run a startup. For example, you may be a perfectionist who wants to spend countless hours crafting a flawless product and marketing strategy, yet still struggle to understand the concept of customer acquisition. Or perhaps you are a creative artist who would rather paint pictures than develop a prototype for something he/she feels passionately about. These are just some of the reasons why entrepreneurship isn't for everybody.
But if you feel that you belong to one of the above categories, then you definitely have the makings of a successful entrepreneur. Entrepreneurship involves taking risks and putting yourself out there. That means you'll likely fail sometimes (which is okay), but you won't give up until you achieve your goal.
One of the easiest ways to become a successful entrepreneur is to join one of the many different forums dedicated to startups. There are several communities on Facebook, Reddit, LinkedIn, Quora, and Twitter that cater specifically to budding entrepreneurs. Many of these sites provide valuable resources and advice on topics ranging from marketing strategies to legal issues. Some even host events that enable members to network and learn from peers in similar positions.
If you decide to pursue entrepreneurship fulltime, then you should consider joining either YC or TechStars. Both programs provide mentorship, guidance, and networking opportunities to young individuals looking to launch their own startup. Since 2018, Techstars has also offered an option called Techstars Global, which enables participants to apply for grants and incubator space in locations outside the United States.
Yes, absolutely! Having a professional website is crucial for all types of businesses, especially startups. Even though there are many benefits associated with creating a website, it doesn't always translate well for startups. This is because most startups don’t have the budget necessary to hire skilled designers and developers, let alone pay for hosting fees. Therefore, it is crucial that you choose a reliable website builder that offers affordable pricing options.
We recommend using Wix to build your website. With Wix’s drag & drop interface, anyone can easily construct a sleek website that looks amazing. Plus, you don’t have to worry about paying high monthly bills thanks to Wix’s tiered subscription model. Another advantage of choosing Wix is that it comes with tons of preloaded themes and plugins that ensure compatibility with almost any type of device. Also, unlike other website builders, Wix supports multiple languages besides English.
When deciding whether to use WordPress or Squarespace as your website builder, keep in mind that WordPress is generally considered to be cheaper than Squarespace, but more expensive than Wix. On the flip side, however, Squarespace is known for offering premium features, such as unlimited pages per blog, custom domain support, and a wide range of colors and fonts.
As mentioned earlier, India leads the pack when it comes to startup activity worldwide. Although many people believe that China holds the title for largest number of startups, according to CB Insights, India accounts for 53 percent of the total amount raised globally. Additionally, as per PitchBook data, India ranks third in terms of the highest average deal size of $3 million, compared to second ranked Russia ($2.6M) and third ranked US ($1.8).
However, despite all the attention India receives as a hub of entrepreneurial activity, this is far from being the case everywhere else. In fact, the Middle East is home to over 2,500 active startups, whereas South Korea boasts nearly 6,000 firms. Furthermore, Europe is home to more than 8,400 startups. Lastly, North America houses approximately 7,300 startups.
So, whichever country you hail from, there’s bound to be a thriving ecosystem of startups waiting to meet you. Just remember to invest wisely and put together a winning team to grow your startup to the next level.
Just follow our battle-tested guidelines and rake in the profits.