{"id":3418,"date":"2015-05-15T08:04:53","date_gmt":"2015-05-15T08:04:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.proper.media\/?p=3418"},"modified":"2015-05-15T08:04:53","modified_gmt":"2015-05-15T08:04:53","slug":"saveti-za-malak-biznes-onlain-1-uebsait","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/proper.media\/en\/saveti-za-malak-biznes-onlain-1-uebsait\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for small businesses online: part 1 - website"},"content":{"rendered":"

I remember the rainy day my washing machine broke. My older son was about a month old then and using reusable diapers (the kind that wash!). I suddenly realized that my life almost depended on my washing machine working flawlessly! I had to find a quick solution. We had been in the neighborhood for a while and didn't know anyone who could recommend a technician. I sat down at the computer and searched the internet, of course. I hadn't even thought about whether I knew anyone who might possibly know someone who did.<\/em><\/p>\n

So, I found a fitter's website, rang him, we arranged an appointment and my problem was solved with just one call and minimal wasted time. We shipped the diapers. Baby clean, his mother happy.<\/em><\/p>\n

I do not tell this story in vain.<\/strong><\/p>\n

With a big budget anyone can! I'm not saying it's easy to build a good image online when you're a big business. On the contrary, the demands on big are great and the task is not easy at all. It's just that when you have a large team, lots of partners and other diverse resources, things keep starting from somewhere, the wheel turns and the chances of success increase.<\/p>\n

But what's a small business to do? Should it be present on the Internet? How?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Recently on office@proper.media\u00a0<\/strong>we received an inquiry that ended with the words: \"Please suggest something for a small, even tiny business.\"<\/em> <\/strong><\/p>\n

I'm aware that a small neighborhood pastry shop can't allocate a large budget to ensure a professional web presence. However, the bad news ends right here! The Internet is not a luxury destination at all<\/strong> and if you read to the end this series of articles (even just this post) you will be convinced of that! I will offer you a few affordable (cheap and free) things you can do to ensure a good online presence if you are a small business.<\/strong> I'll give you some tips on how to have your own website, Facebook page<\/a> and how to get a presence in other online places where your customers are - all free or very affordable stuff.<\/p>\n

Whether you're a self-employed car fitter, small grocer, manicurist or freelance babysitter, people will find you more easily if you have at least some online presence. This will increase your profits and no wonder after a while you can afford a bigger investment, hence even more growth and then more and more... \ud83d\ude42.<\/p>\n

Website<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are exceptions probably, but I would say it is very very desirable to have your own website.<\/strong> There are now platforms that allow you to create it yourself. All you need is to be computer literate and you'll get the hang of it. WordPress <\/a>is such a platform, I recommend it mostly because it is popular in Bulgaria - there are many specialists and sources of information that can help you in the process of creating a website. Here are some other similar platforms: Google sites<\/a>, Weebly<\/a>, Web.com<\/a>, WIX<\/a>. There you can create your own website for free. Leaving aside the technological requirements, the most important thing for your website is to have there 2 things that are absolutely necessary:<\/p>\n

1. A well-written (literate and understandable) description of your business - what you do, what you produce\/sell\/offer.
\n2. Contact details - address, phone, email (don't forget to check your email daily!)<\/p>\n

In addition, you can introduce your team, or yourself if you're a one-person show :), tell the story of your business (I'm sure there's plenty to share!), provide a price list of your services or products, and more.<\/p>\n

\"\u043f\u0440\u0438\u043c\u0435\u0440<\/a><\/p>\n

an example of a basic website of a car dealer<\/p>\n

If you're not at all competent to dig into the Internet and deal with technology in general, you could ask for professional help. I'm not making any promises, but I'm telling you as a guide that for 200 leva it is possible to make you a very ordinary website<\/strong>to do the job we are talking about. 200 leva is not much. Divide it by 12 and you get less than 17 leva per month for a year, and the site will serve you for longer!<\/p>\n

Next time I'll give you valuable guidelines on how to get the most out of Facebook<\/a>: what to do and what not to do, how to do some things that are mandatory and what it will cost you<\/strong> (between nothing or little, as promised above)!<\/p>\n

In the meantime, if you have urgent online problems to solve and questions to answer, call, email, ask, we'll answer: 024112656, office@proper.media<\/strong><\/p>\n

Don't miss the following tips from the Proper media team:<\/p>\n

Like our Facebook page<\/a>: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ProperMediaBG<\/p>\n