A website for self-employed: a must

Whether it is your first company or not, you probably know that you must have a presence on the web. This makes it easier for you to be found by potential customers and answer their questions. But what should we find on your self-employed site? Where to start? Experts from SECL answered these questions for us. Let’s take a closer look at how you can create a website as a self-employed entrepreneur. On the seclgroup.com website, you can find even more helpful information.  

What is the purpose of a site?

A site is a group of web pages (or one web page) united by a common domain name and IP address. Pages can contain any number of links and texts. Such links are called hypertext links, and texts are called HTML.

Each website is created to solve specific tasks, which can be infinite. But all of them, as a rule, come down to one or more main goals:

• attracting new customers and increasing sales;
• improving the image of the organization and expanding the sphere of influence;
• simplification of the purchase procedure and automation of the organization’s work;
• self-expression of the creator.

Why does a self-employed person need a website?

Some self-employed entrepreneurs say that a Facebook page is sufficient for their presence on the web. This may be the case for some people; however, for the most part, a website remains a tool without which one should not do. There are many advantages to having a site. First of all, a website is the basis of your online presence. It makes it possible for you you to gather all the information about your company (or about the services you offer) in one place. In addition, a site will be much more personalized than a simple Facebook page.

Having a website also gives you much more credibility. Let’s say you are looking for a lawyer to write a contract. A lawyer with a nice-looking website looks much more reliable, right? Also, websites allow you to be easily found by potential customers thanks to search engines. 

What people should be able to find on your website

If you want to create a website and become a self-employed person, a few elements should be found there so that the final result is professional and credible.

• Your brand image. First of all, we should find your brand image on your company website. The brand image includes several elements, including your logo, colors, fonts, and values. If you want to have a strong and recognized brand image, you must use it everywhere.
• The essential pages. If you visit the websites of other self-employed entrepreneurs often, you will quickly notice that most use a very similar structure. Indeed, there is a home page, an about page, a page where services or products are presented, and then a contact page. These are the essential pages of your website. So, you should take the time to create them. They all have a very specific use.
• Examples. Whether on your about page or your product page, you should add examples of old projects made to gain the trust of your potential customers. Show your most beautiful projects, and be proud of them! For example, if you are a hairdresser, you can add photos of your most beautiful creations to your self-employed site. If you are in the world of construction, display your most recent renovations. In this way, your potential customers will see what you can do.
• Recommendations. Similarly, we recommend adding customer reviews to your business website. This is another way to show that you are a credible and reliable entrepreneur. Your potential customers may be reluctant to work with you because they do not know you. Earn their trust by sharing recommendations from former customers directly on your site. Invite your former satisfied customers to leave you a little comment and, with their permission, post it on your website.
• Your contact details. If you want someone to ask you for a quote, it would probably be relevant if people could easily find your contact details. You can display them in the footer or contact page. You can also add a contact form directly to your website to have all the necessary information to create a quick submission.

Don’t forget the legal notices

If you are located in Europe, do not forget the legal notices and the GDPR. Indeed, legal notices are mandatory if it is a website for a company or an online store. In summary, your legal notice should include, among other things, your surname, first name, home, company name, legal form, email address, telephone number, registration number in the commercial register, trade directory, individual tax identification number, etc.

If it is a site for work, you must also add your general conditions of sale that explain the nature of the service offered, the rules regarding delivery, and refunds, for example. 

Finally, there is the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to be considered when creating your company site. The GDPR applies to all sites processing European citizen data. You must also notify visitors that your site uses cookies by activating a banner in your settings.

In conclusion, a website is essential if you want to appear credible and be found by search engines. Several choices are now also available to you regarding creating a site. You can work with an agency, a freelancer, or even do it yourself! Good luck!