How To Make A Small Business Website In Nigeria (2024)

Having a website is the number one step to creating a successful business online. 

Whether you're a small business owner, a start-up, or a large corporation in Nigeria, your digital marketing strategy is incomplete without a website.

Infact, over 65% of Nigerians shop online, and 90% of active online shoppers in Nigeria prefer to buy from businesses with websites.

Guess what?

As a business owner, you don't need to be technically savvy or, be a coding genius to create a beautiful and well functional website for your brand.

 Here's how to create a website tailored to suite your brands unique style and tastes in 5 simple steps.

STEP 1: Go to Usekitcart.com and sign up for free!

While there are thousands of web building platforms, usekicart.com is what we highly recommend for small businesses in Nigeria.

Usekicart.com is a simple software solution designed to help SMe's in Nigeria automate their business online.

From building a fully functional website and e-commerce stores, to managing inventory, creating e-receipts and invoices, track sales and expenses, control staff's, as well as track customers delivery.

The best part is that it's easy to use. All you need to do is to sign up with your business name, email address, and contact information, and voila! Your good to go!

STEP 2: Get Your Domain Name

After signing up on usekicart.com, the next step to take is to get a domain name.

Your domain name is your web address. It's how potential customers gets to find your website online and shop on it.

It's very important cause it reflects your brands and influences SEO. So you have to be very creative when choosing a domain name.

You can choose any name you want, but it’s best to have one that matches your business or professional name.

For example, if you sell shoes or Thrifts. Your domain name can be e.g, Nancyshoes.com or Nancythrift.com.ng

A good domain name may help you rank higher in search engines like Google, Bing, or Safari. Which can increase the number of people who click to access your site.

Here are a few tips that will help you pick the perfect domain name for your brand;

• Brand identity: Choose a domain that resonates with your business name or the services you offer. This will make it easier for customers to remember your website anytime.

• Keep It Short and Simple: Avoid complex spellings, typos, numbers, hyphens, and anything that will confuse users and detract them from your platform.

• Incorporate SEO Strategies; Include relevant keywords in your domain name so it's easier for customers to find your website when the search for keywords relating to what you sell.

• Check its availability: A quick domain search on namepython.com can help you verify this quickly. If your desired domain is unavailable and often suggest close alternatives that might be a good fit.

Well, if you're already signed up on usekitcart.com, you're just one click away from getting your own domain name!

Once you decide on what the perfect domain name is for your brand, just move on to the check out point where you'll pay for the domain name.

Note; Domain Names are not free. However, you can find domain names for $10 or $5 on usekitcart.com.

 That's it! you're almost there!

STEP 3: Develop Content and Structure your website.

This is the most important aspect of your website because, this is where the customer gets interacted with.

So whether it's an ecommerce store, a landing page, or any other type of websites you're doing for your brand, the content and site structure should follow these pattern;

• Home Page: This is typically the first page visitors will see, so it must clearly state who you are, what you offer, and what visitors can do next (such as browse products, book services, or contact you).

• About Us: Tell your company’s story, mission, and the values that drive your business. This page can help build a personal connection with your visitors.

• Services or Products Page: Detailed descriptions of your offerings can help customers make informed purchasing decisions.

• Contact Page: Make it easy for customers to get in touch with you through multiple channels—phone, email, and perhaps an embedded contact form.

• Blog and FAQ: Maintain a blog to share insights, company news, and industry tips that add value to your customers' lives. An FAQ section can also address common inquiries, saving time for both you and your customers.

STEP 4: Enhance your Site's Search Engine Optimisation

SEO involves strategies that help your site rank higher in search engine results, making it more visible to potential customers.

Implementing foundational SEO strategies is crucial for your site’s visibility

Some of the key SEO tactics you should implement includes;

Keyword Integration:

Naturally incorporate relevant keywords throughout your site to improve visibility in search results.

Mobile Optimization:

Ensure your site is responsive and provides a smooth experience across all devices, as this significantly affects user engagement and SEO rankings

STEP 5: Conducting a Final Review Before Going Live

Conducting a Comprehensive Review Before going live, it’s essential to thoroughly review your website to ensure everything is in order. This includes checking content accuracy, testing all functionalities such as links, forms, and buttons, and ensuring that the site is compatible across different browsers and devices. This step is crucial as it prevents potential issues that could deter users from having a smooth experience.

TESTING USER EXPERIENCE 

A final review also involves a detailed assessment of the user experience. It's important to view your website from the perspective of a first-time visitor. Navigate through each page, interact with every element, and ensure that the journey is logical and intuitive. Feedback from friends or colleagues can also be invaluable during this phase.

MAINTAINING AND UPDATING YOUR WEBSITE REGULARLY

Once your website is live, the work doesn't stop there. Regular updates are essential to keep your content fresh and engaging. This not only helps in retaining customers but also plays a significant role in SEO. Search engines favor websites that are consistently updated with new content.

MONITORING WEBSITE PERFORMANCE

 Use tools like Google Analytics to understand how users interact with your site. These tools provide metrics such as bounce rates, page views, and session durations that can give insights into what works and what doesn’t. Adjustments based on this data can greatly enhance user experience and site performance..

CONDUCT ROUTINE MAINTENANCE

Regular maintenance checks are necessary to ensure that all aspects of your site are functioning as intended. This includes updating software and plugins, checking for broken links, and revising any content that may have become outdated.

BUILD BACKLINKS

Backlinks are links from other websites that point to your site. They are crucial for SEO as they signal to search engines that others vouch for your content. This can improve your site’s authority and ranking.

Establish relationships with other credible business sites to improve your SEO. When high-quality websites link to yours, search engines view your site as more authoritative and rank it higher.

FREQUENTLY ASKED

 QuestionsQ1: How much does it cost to build a website? 

The cost can vary depending on several factors, including the complexity of your site and whether you use integrated platforms like Wix or specialized services. Generally, you can expect to spend anywhere from a few dollars per month for basic hosting to several hundred or even thousands for advanced features and professional design.

Q2: How long does it take to build a website?

 The time required can range from a few hours to several weeks, depending on the complexity of your site and how prepared you are with content and design. Using website builders can speed up the process, whereas custom designs will take longer.

Q3: Do I need to know how to code to build a website?

 No, you don’t necessarily need coding skills to build a website. With usekitcart.com,you have a simple drag-and-drop interfaces that allow you to create and customize your site without writing any code. However, some knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript can help you customize your site more extensively.

Q4: How do I ensure my website is secure? 

Start by choosing a hosting provider that offers robust security features, including SSL certificates. Regularly update your software and plugins to protect against vulnerabilities. Additionally, use strong passwords, and consider implementing two-factor authentication for added security.

Q5: Can I make my website mobile-friendly? 

Yes, making your website mobile-friendly is crucial. Most site-building platforms offer responsive design templates that automati

cally adjust the layout of your site to fit the screen size of the device it’s being viewed on. Always test your site on multiple devices to ensure it looks and functions well on all of them.

CONCLUSION

Building a website for your small business in Nigeria doesn't have to be an overwhelming task. By following these steps, utilizing the right tools, and adopting a strategic approach, you can create a powerful online presence that not only reaches but engages your target audience effectively.

As you embark on this digital journey, remember that a website is not just about aesthetics; it’s a dynamic tool that requires ongoing effort to grow and evolve with your business and the digital landscape.