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