How to create an effective website for startups

A website for startups is likely to be fundamental to your success. Whether it’s your shop window to the outside world or a high converting ecommerce store, you want to make a website for your startup that is professional, easy to use and has the ability to scale as you grow.

So, how do you go about making an effective website for startups?

There are plenty of DIY builders out there if you’re planning on doing it yourself, but if you have big ambitions, you’re likely to be working with a digital agency like us to help take your website and business to the next level.

The process

A typical web development process will be a four stage cycle: Discovery – Design – Development – Delivery. We’ll start by finding out everything we can about your business and your users and then design and build your website from there. A great digital agency will have a dedicated project manager who will take you through each step and make sure you know what is happening every step of the way. 

Understand your users

As a start-up founder you’re probably living and breathing your customers’ needs and lifestyle, and understanding how they behave online will be key to building a successful website for startups. Your web design agency will have lots of experience in conducting user research. Ensuring that your website is meeting the needs of your customers will form a big part of the Discovery phase.

Work out what you really want and what you actually need for your startup website

Your website wishlist is likely to be extensive and that’s fine. But it’s a good idea to break it down into the absolute essentials and what features can go on the nice to have list. Your phase one website can be thought of as an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) – it will get your site out there in front of customers quickly, potentially start generating you revenue and then you can build features from there. 

Present your value proposition really clearly

Why should a customer choose you? What do you do brilliantly that your competitors don’t? Make sure your startup website states this front and centre and make it really easy for the user to understand why they should buy from you. 

Choose an agency that matches your own business philosophy

When working in a startup it’s great to have people around you that share the same ethos and culture as you. Finding a digital agency to create your website who really understands what gets you out of bed in the morning will help build the foundation for a great long-term partnership. Meet the team, ask questions and take the time to get to know your agency – it could be the start of something beautiful.