June 30, 2023

Getting Online

By Joseph · 9 minute read

Introduction

Hello there! This guide is designed to help small businesses and start-ups get online quickly and cost-effectively.

What is Digitalisation

Digitalisation is the process of transforming a business's operations and services using technology. This can include creating a website, establishing an online presence, and implementing digital marketing strategies.

Digitalisation is crucial for businesses to stay relevant and competitive in today's fast-paced digital world. By leveraging technology, businesses can streamline operations, reach new customers, and improve overall customer experience. Digitalisation can also involve implementing cloud-based solutions, data analytics, and automating repetitive tasks.

It's important to remember that digitalisation is not a one-time process. Businesses must be prepared to adapt and evolve their digital strategies as technology continues to evolve. The timeline for digitalisation varies depending on factors such as the size of the business, its current infrastructure, and the extent of digitalisation required.

How long will the process take?

It's important to keep in mind that the timeline for digitalisation can vary depending on factors such as the size of your business, your current infrastructure, and the level of digitalisation required. The process can range from a few weeks to several months to complete.

To successfully complete this guide without outsourcing the work, it's recommended to set aside an hour each day for two weeks. This will help ensure that the work is done thoroughly and efficiently while also allowing for proper time management and a better understanding of the project as a whole. By sticking to this schedule, you can feel proud of your accomplishment and confident in your ability to complete the guide on your own terms.

It's important to remember that every business is unique, and your timeline for digitalisation may differ depending on your specific needs and circumstances. However, by following the steps outlined in this guide and dedicating time to the process, you can ensure that your business is well on its way to achieving a successful digital transformation.

Keep in mind that digitalisation is an ongoing process that requires continuous effort to stay ahead of the curve. But with the right mindset and approach, you can use technology to streamline your operations, reach new customers, and grow your business in the digital age.

How much will it cost?

When it comes to digitalisation, the cost will vary depending on the scope of the project and the resources required. For a basic solution, you can expect to spend less than £100 upfront and around £80 per month going forward. However, for a more extensive solution that includes professional services and a digital build, the price tag can quickly add up to thousands. That's why it's crucial to follow the guide's tips and best practices to keep costs under control.

While it's essential to keep an eye on costs, it's also important to consider the long-term benefits of digitalisation. By streamlining your operations and expanding your reach to new customers, you can experience significant growth and revenue increases. So, instead of viewing digitalisation as a daunting expense, think of it as an investment in the future success of your business.

prerequisites

For this guide, we assume that you are an operational business that does not yet have an online presence. If you are not an established business, that's okay. We just recommend that you are able to cover the costs associated with maintaining a digital workspace.

Please note:

We do use affiliate links in our posts, so if you find value in what you have read throughout Get Digital Guide and other free resources, please use the links provided to access the tools and solutions that we recommend. The only way we can grow and provide more value to you is through your interaction with us.

Let’s Begin

1. Get a Domain name

A domain name is the web address that users type into their browser to access a website. It should match the name of your company to avoid any confusion and help with your SEO (Search Engine Optimization).

To choose a domain name, start by brainstorming a few options that represent your brand and are easy to remember. Keep the name short and simple, and avoid using numbers or hyphens, as they can make it harder for people to remember.

Once you have a few options, check if they are available using a domain name registrar, such as GoDaddy or 123reg. You can also consider purchasing variations of your chosen name, such as .com, .org, or .net, to protect your brand and ensure that users can easily find your website.

Remember, your domain name is an essential part of your online presence, so take the time to choose a name that represents your brand well and is easy for users to remember.

2. Setting up a Digital Workspace

Now that you have a domain name, we can start to build out your online presence. To do this, we want to get set up with a digital workspace and email account.

Why do I need a workspace and not just an email address? Put simply, Scalability “the ability of a business or system to grow larger”.

A digital workspace will allow you to store all your files digitally in the cloud and give you access to tools that will help in a myriad of ways as you begin to grow.

A digital workspace will give you access to the following tools;

Communication Tools: Instant messaging, video conferencing, and audio calling tools enable real-time communication and collaboration between team members.
Document Collaboration Tools: These tools facilitate real-time editing, commenting, and version control of documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
File Storage and Sharing: Cloud-based storage solutions allow users to store, share, and access files from anywhere.
Calendar and Scheduling: Integrated calendars enable individuals and teams to schedule meetings, manage appointments, and coordinate availability.

How to pick the right workspace for you?

There are only two digital workspaces worth considering: Google Workspace and Microsoft Office 365. Let's break it down and figure out which one is right for you and your business.

The main points to consider are usability, limitations, integrated systems, and cost.

Usability is largely a matter of user preference. From our experience, Office 365 has a more familiar feel to most users, as many people have used Microsoft products in the past. These products all have a common navigation theme throughout the system. On the other hand, Google has an easy-to-grasp navigation system, and if you use Chrome as your browser, using its products and extensions is only a click away.

Limitations are based on the storage each account provides and the associated cost. If you're a small business with fewer than 50 employees, the cost of a digital workspace can quickly add up, so choosing the right one is essential. Google Workspace provides 30GB per user at the basic account level, Business Starter (£5 per user per month). This increases to 2TB per user, which is pooled. If you have five users, for example, you'd have access to 10TB of storage at the next subscription level, Business Standard (£10 per user per month).

Microsoft Office storage starts at 1TB per user, which doesn't change throughout the subscription levels. The basic version of Microsoft is entirely online, similar to Google (at £4.90 per user per month). The next tier allows you to have licenses for the desktop version of the apps (£8.60 per user per month).

Both options are excellent choices for building your business's online presence. Fortunately, there's no wrong choice, and you can always switch providers if you think one may better suit your needs down the line. A good rule of thumb is to go with the Office platform if you sell a physical product or service, and Google Workspace if you're a service-based business.

Click here for Microsoft Office 365 workspace

Click here for Google Workspace

Both have an onboarding guide to get your account set up and connected to your domain name. Follow their guide, and you will have your digital workspace and email account ready to go!

Top Tip

Before starting your website design, make sure you have a logo you can use along with a brand identity colour scheme. If you need to make a logo quickly but the design isn’t something you have experience with, use LogoAI. They will generate a plethora of logos for you to pick from.

Here is a link that will give you a 30% discount code if you need to create a logo

Logo AI link

If you are looking for something a little more custom, we would recommend heading over to Fiverr and finding someone whose style matches your own, and you can have one made bespoke to you.

Click Here for 10% off on Fiverr

Creating a Website

Now you have your own Domain, It’s time to get a website! There are a lot of different ways to tackle this task and it depends on the time you are able to put towards this and the complexity of your business.

If building a website is not something you are able to put the time into, we recommend using an agency if you have a budget of £5000 or more. Or use Fiverr to find a freelancer who will be able to make you a basic website for a lower cost.

We are going to talk you through how to set up a simple website that you can expand on in the future to better cater to your growing needs. Most website builders have a large library of templates, so getting started has never been easier.

The first thing to do when creating a website is to select a platform to build and host your website on. To decide which platform to use, you need to identify the needs of the business and what you are trying to get out of your website. Here is a list of what you would need to consider when choosing the right provider:

Ease of Use: Look for a website builder that offers a user-friendly interface and intuitive drag-and-drop functionality. It should enable you to build and customise your website without requiring extensive technical knowledge or coding skills.
Templates and Design Options: Assess the available templates and design options provided by the website builder. Ensure they align with your desired website style and industry. Look for customisable templates and the ability to modify layouts, fonts, colours, and images to suit your branding needs.
Features and Functionality: Consider the specific features and functionalities required for your website. Check if the website builder offers essential elements such as responsive design (mobile-friendly), e-commerce capabilities, blogging tools, SEO optimisation, social media integration, contact forms, and galleries. Make sure the builder provides the necessary tools to achieve your website goals.
Scalability: Consider the future growth and scalability of your website. Determine if the website builder allows you to expand your website as your needs evolve, such as adding more pages, integrating additional features, or scaling up e-commerce capabilities.
Customisation Options: Evaluate the level of customisation the website builder allows. Look for the ability to personalise the design and layout to match your unique brand identity. Ensure the builder offers flexibility in terms of adding custom code or integrating third-party tools when necessary.
Support and Resources: Check the available customer support options provided by the website builder. Look for platforms that offer comprehensive documentation, tutorials, FAQs, and a responsive customer support team. Consider user communities or forums that can provide additional assistance and insights.
Pricing and Value: Assess the pricing plans offered by the website builder and evaluate their value for the features provided. Consider your budget and the long-term costs associated with maintaining and hosting your website. Some builders offer free plans with limited functionality, while others provide premium plans with advanced features and dedicated support.
SEO Friendliness: Search engine optimisation (SEO) is crucial for improving your website's visibility in search engine results. Ensure the website builder provides built-in SEO tools or integrations, such as customisable metadata, URL structure, and XML sitemaps.
Performance and Speed: A fast-loading website is vital for a positive user experience. Consider the website builder's track record in terms of performance and loading times. Look for builders that optimise websites for speed and provide reliable hosting infrastructure.
Integration and Compatibility: If you have specific third-party services or tools you need to integrate with your website, check if the website builder supports those integrations. This can include payment gateways, email marketing services, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, or other applications critical to your business operations.

By evaluating these criteria, you can make an informed decision when choosing a website builder that aligns with your goals, requirements, and technical abilities.

Sounds like a lot of things to think about doesn’t it? Here is our recommendation broken down into sectors.

Website Builder	Use Case	What this means
Shopify	E-Commerce	E-Commerce is the term used for online retail, so if you are a shop selling physical products, this is likely the platform for you.
Wix	Small Businesses, Freelancers and Creative Professionals	This builder gives you a lot of out-of-the-box customisation, so it can be great for those who like to show their skills through a website!
Squarespace	Professional Services	Known for its sleek designs, Squarespace is ideal for professional services with a platform to showcase their work and prices.
Weebly or Web.com	Individuals and Small Businesses	Similar to Wix, the drag-and-drop builders make it suitable for most newcomers.
Big Commerce	B2B e-commerce Sales	Businesses that sell to other businesses should be looking to use Big Commerce.
HubSpot	B2B agency model	HubSpot may take some getting used to, but if you are in an agency-style business where contact with your customers is key, HubSpot is your best bet for a scalable solution.

If you are unsure which one you want to go with, we can’t recommend going into each of them and trying them out enough. A growing business will change its website layout constantly, so make sure you are with a builder that suits you.

Our Favourite Pick: HubSpot

We opted for HubSpot as our web builder because it enables us to connect our CRM directly to our website. This integration has resulted in cost reduction and the ability to work within a unified system, simplifying our operations. If you don't rely on e-commerce and see your business as a service-based business, we can't recommend HubSpot enough!

Click Here for the Hubspot Website Builder

Congratulations on taking the first step towards digitalising your business! Our team is currently working on upcoming content, which will provide valuable insights on how to link your social media accounts to your website, manage your social channels, and introduce you to various Google products to enhance your online presence. If you would like updates for when this content goes live, click here.

Additionally, if you found this guide helpful, please share it with others who may benefit from it. We appreciate your support and look forward to collaborating with you in the future.