So, you're thinking about starting a business. You've got products to sell, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a dream to succeed. But do you really need a website? It's a question as old as the internet itself (well, almost). Let's dive into a recent experience I had that might shed some light on this topic.
The Inquiry That Started It All
A new lead reached out to me, eager to get a website and asking for a quote. As a seasoned professional, I never throw out prices without understanding the full scope of a project. I explained, "The consultation will determine the deliverables. Once we have a call and discuss your needs, required functionality, goals, and target audience, I can give you an accurate estimate of the investment and timeline."
Here’s my process for new projects:
- Online Consultation: Assess needs and strategize ideal outcomes.
- Proposal and Payment Terms: Outline deliverables and costs.
- 50% Deposit: Initial payment to start the project.
- Work Starts: Design and development begin.
- Completion: Finalization and launch of the website.
- Balance: Final payment.
- Maintenance Plan: Ongoing support and updates.
The client, eager to move forward, agreed to a meeting. During our call, I learned about her business: selling baby, adult, and teen clothing, bedding, household appliances, and jewelry on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, WhatsApp, and Gumtree.
The Gumtree Dilemma
The client was concerned about the safety of selling on Gumtree. I shared my own experience:
"Gumtree and similar free listing sites like JunkMail and Craigslist can be risky. They’re often filled with scammers. Anyone can open multiple accounts with a free email, so even if one gets reported, they have backups. I’ve been scammed on Gumtree myself. Scammers can send fake payment confirmations and even spoof SMS messages from your bank, pressuring you to deliver items only to find the payment never went through."
She asked, "What is a safe website for selling?"
"The safest website," I replied, "is one you own. With a secure payment gateway such as paystack or payfast, you ensure the payment is received before delivery. Platforms like Takealot, Amazon, and Makro are also secure but they take a large chunk of your profits and have stringent policies. You need high volume sales to make significant money."
Domains, Hosting, and SEO: The Essentials
I explained how domains work, the importance of registration, hosting, payment gateways, website maintenance, and SEO. I emphasized that ranking on search engines isn’t automatic; it requires constant effort and a solid foundation. I also compared WordPress/Woocommerce and Shopify, recommending what would best suit her business type.
Despite my advice, she decided to stick with Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace for now. I respected her decision and advised her on creating effective ads, being vigilant against scammers, and keeping thorough sales records.
The 6 AM Wake-Up Call
The next morning, I received a message from her at 6 AM:
Amanda: "Good morning, I just got scammed."
She explained how she was threatened with arrest after delivering items to a buyer who then demanded a refund, claiming the items were broken. This was her second encounter with the same scammer.
While a website might not be for everyone right away, it's an investment in your business's security, credibility, and long-term success. If you’re starting out, build your foundation right from the beginning. And remember, I'm here to help when you're ready to take that step.
The Costs and Steps Involved in Building a Website
- Online Consultation
- Cost: Typically free or included in the project cost
- Description: Initial meeting to discuss business needs, goals, and target audience.
- Domain Registration
- Cost: $10-$20 per year
- Description: Securing a unique web address (e.g., yourbusiness.com).
- Website Hosting
- Cost: $50-$200 per year
- Description: Renting server space to store your website’s files and make them accessible online.
- Wireframe Design
- Cost: $200-$500
- Description: Creating a visual guide to show the skeletal framework of your website.
- Flowchart Planning
- Cost: $100-$300
- Description: Mapping out the user journey and website structure.
- Website Development
- Cost: $1,000-$5,000 (varies based on complexity)
- Description: Building the website, including coding, layout, and functionality.
- Design Elements
- Cost: $500-$1,500
- Description: Custom graphics, logos, and other visual elements.
- WooCommerce/Shopify Setup
- Cost: $500-$1,000
- Description: Installing and configuring e-commerce platforms to enable online sales.
- Product Setup
- Cost: $300-$1,000 (depending on number of products)
- Description: Adding product listings, descriptions, images, and pricing.
- Policy Setups
- Cost: $100-$300
- Description: Creating clear return, warranty, payment, and refund policies.
- Payment Gateway Setup
- Cost: $50-$200
- Description: Integrating secure payment processing systems.
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- Cost: $300-$1,000
- Description: Optimizing your site to rank higher in search engine results.
- Email Setup
- Cost: $50-$200
- Description: Setting up professional business email accounts.
- Facebook and Instagram Integration
- Cost: $100-$300
- Description: Connecting your website to social media accounts for seamless marketing.
- Google Shopping Setup
- Cost: $100-$300
- Description: Configuring your products to appear in Google Shopping results.
- Facebook and Instagram Marketing
- Cost: Variable, often starting at $100/month
- Description: Running paid ad campaigns to drive traffic and sales.
Lessons Learned
Not everyone is ready for a website, and that's okay. But if you're serious about your business, here are some steps to consider:
- Start with the Basics: Create a solid business plan and establish your brand identity (CI Brand), even if it's from a junior designer to save costs.
- Establish Policies: Have clear return, warranty, payment, and refund policies.
- Niche Down: Focus on a specific niche to avoid overwhelming yourself and confusing your audience.
- Security and Convenience: A professional website with a secure payment gateway can protect you and your customers, ensuring payments are received before delivery.
- Record Keeping: Keep meticulous records of sales and customer information.
