With more and more consumers turning to the Internet to shop for everything from gifts to groceries and online courses, there’s no better time than now to take your offline business online.
Whether you’re looking to add online delivery to your shop or offer online quotes as a tradesperson, there are plenty of ways to grow your business and tap into the growing UK market.
Never had a website before? Unsure about what it takes to get one up and running? Feeling a bit nervous about the whole thing? No need to fret – getting set up online is easier than you might think. Here are seven tips to help get you started.
The benefits of your taking business online
Ecommerce continues to go from strength to strength in the UK. With over 68 million online shoppers in 2023, that’s an awful lot of people clicking ‘add to basket.’
In fact, the market pulled in £297.9 billion last year and is expected to hit a whopping £740.7 billion by 2030. The move from high street to online isn’t just a fad – it’s a smart choice that could shape your business’s future.
British shoppers love the ease of buying or booking from home. Over half of online purchases now happen on mobiles. If your competitors are already online, they’re a step ahead. Being digital means staying in the game and reaching customers where they are.
Having your own domain name — and professional custom email address to match — adds a professional touch that works to build trust with customers.
Moreover, getting your business online means you can be open to new customers 24/7. You can connect more easily with locals, growing your reach in your community and nearby areas. Sure, you’re probably not aiming to take over the world, but the chance to draw in more customers nearby, or perhaps even nationwide, can be a big win for any small-to-medium sized business.
Then there’s all that customer data. Trust us when we say you really don’t need a marketing degree or your own IT team for this. Free tools like Google Analytics and Google Trends make it easier than it’s ever been to see what customers are after, what to offer, and how to promote it.
Bottom line: there’s no better time take your offline business online!
1. Get to grips with the basics
If you’ve never had a website and aren’t familiar with how they work and what you’d need to build and get yours online, take some time to get a basic understanding of the online before you jump in.
Even if you’re planning to get help building your site, either by using a website builder or by hiring a professional to do it for you, it’s still worth learning a few new skills. These skills and knowledge can come in handy in the long-run whenever you communicate with customers or need to make changes to your site and online presence.
Here are some essential skills we believe everyone should have or learn in order to set up and manage a successful business online:
- Basic web skills: Understand how domains, hosting, and tools like WordPress work.
- Design know-how: Make smart choices about how your site looks.
- Content writing: Tell your story clearly and compellingly online.
- Search Engine Optimisation (SEO): Learn what customers search for and how to get your site noticed.
- Digital Marketing: Find effective ways to promote your site and attract customers.
2. Choose the right products to get your business online
So, what do you actually need to take your offline business online? And how much will it cost?
The answers to these two important questions depend on the type of business you have or what you’d like it to look once you move it online.
Start by picturing your ideal online setup. What will your business look like? What will you sell, and how will you sell it? Will it be simple and straightforward, or will it need a bit more oomph with extra features?
You’ll need to factor in your tech skills. Are you comfortable tinkering with design or making small tweaks to code? Or would you rather keep things as simple as possible? Your skill level—and how much you’re willing to learn—can make a difference when it comes to picking the tools to set up and manage your website.
At a glance, to take your business online you’ll need:
☒ A Domain Name. Think of this as your address online. It’s how people will find you, but also a big part of your brand.
☒ A Mobile-Ready template and/or theme. Meaning one that works properly for anyone who visits your website from any device, whether it’s a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop or a PC.
☒ A Professional Email Address. That is, a custom email address that matches your domain name to give your business a professional, trustworthy look.
☒ An SSL Certificate. More of an internet protocal than a physical thing, SSL certificates encrypt sensitive data your visitors share, like addresses, credit card details, and more, keeping it safe from prying eyes. A must for any online business, your business is unlikely to show in search results unless you’ve got one.
☒ A great web host like 123 Reg. They’ll give you easy tools to build your own website — also “hosting” it on servers so that it’s available 24/7.
One easy way of getting started is to buy a complete package like the 123 Reg Website Builder, giving you everything you need to get your website online: domain name, hosting, professional email, SSL and a great selection of templates so you can choose the right look for your online business. The great thing about this option is that you don’t need any technical skills to create and get your website up and running.
Read this article to learn more about these products and how much you can expect to pay for each.
3. Look at your competitors for inspiration
Not sure how your website should look, what pages to include, or how to stand out and give your customers a great experience?
The easiest thing you can do is to look at other websites in your industry. Head to Google and enter a keyword or keyword phrase that is relevant to your business. For example, if you sell dog food, enter “dog food” into Google’s search box and go through the results. To narrow it down, you can also add the city or country you’re planning to deliver to.
Now, click through to a few of the top sites in the search results. Take a look at their design, how they’re selling their products or services, and the words, images, and videos (if any) they’re using. Make notes on what works well and use this inspiration to organise your own website.
For more in-depth info, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) provides helpful data on online retail, while reports from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) highlight key challenges and opportunities for UK businesses.
4. Find a great domain name to take your business online
Having a domain name is essential for any business today. It’s your unique address on the internet, and without it, you’re missing out on a big opportunity to connect with customers.
Setting up a domain is easier than you might think, and it’s one of the first steps to getting your business online.
Your domain name is like your shop’s front door on the internet, so pick one that reflects your business. Keep it simple, memorable, and easy to spell—this way, people will have no trouble finding you. Avoid anything too long or complicated. If your name is available, register it with a platform like 123 Reg, which makes the whole process quick and easy.
If your first choice isn’t available, get creative. You could add a word or two that relates to your business, or consider a different domain extension, like .co.uk or .store. Just make sure it still feels true to your brand.
See also: Names That Click – How to Choose the Right Domain Name
5. Create your Google Business Profile
Your Google Business Profile is a free tool from Google that puts your business on the map — quite literally.
While having a domain name is important, a Google Business Profile can be just as essential when it comes to local SEO and getting your business found online. Google Maps is by far the most popular maps platform these days, helping customers find you when they search for services or products like yours in their local area.
Use your Google Business Profile to:
- Get found on Google Maps: Make it simple for local customers to find your shop or services.
- Show key details: Add your contact info, opening hours, and photos to grab attention.
- Collect and display reviews: Build trust with real feedback from happy customers.
- Post updates: Share news, promotions, or events to keep your audience engaged.
Setting it up is quick and easy. Just visit Google Business Profile and follow the steps to verify your business. Once it’s live, keep your details up to date and encourage customers to leave reviews. It’s a small step that makes a big difference in getting noticed online.
See also: Local SEO in 10 – How Do I Get My Business Found Online?
6. Get social
When you’re reading about the internet and getting your offline business online, you’re bound to stumble upon lots of social networks that you’re advised to sign up to as a business.
Here’s the thing: having a presence on social media is critical to your success. In many cases, it’s the first place people go to to look up businesses and learn more about what they do and sell, and how other people feel about the products or services they purchased.
That doesn’t mean you should set up an account on every social network out there. Instead, choose two or three social networks where you know your audience uses. Then you can focus on keeping building a relationship with your audience. Read this article for some tips on how to decide which social networks your business should be on.
And for more, check out: How to Schedule Social Media Posts and How to Find Fantastic Content for Your Social Media Feeds
7. Foster customer reviews and testimonials
Customer reviews and testimonials are a powerful way to build trust and credibility.
Positive feedback from real customers gives potential buyers confidence in your products or services. In fact, many people turn to reviews before making a purchase or deciding to use a business.
Encourage your satisfied customers to leave reviews on your website, Google Business Profile, or social media pages. Make it easy by providing links or even sending a friendly reminder after they’ve made a purchase or had an experience with your business.
Don’t just collect reviews — show them off! Display testimonials on your website and use them in your marketing. When customers see that others are happy with what you offer, they’re more likely to trust you too.
8. Announce your move and promote your new website
Moving your offline business online is one thing. Getting people to notice is another. So now comes the challenging part: spreading the word about your online business to ensure the news reaches as many people as possible.
There are lots of things you can try from sharing the news on your social media channels to using online ads to get your online business in front of more customers.
See also: Quick Tactics for Promoting a New Business Website and Five Ways to Promote a New Online Shop
9. Share Your Expertise with a Blog
Blogging is a great way to share your knowledge and connect with your audience. Writing about topics related to your business, you can establish yourself as an expert in your field while providing value to your customers.
Not only does a blog help with customer engagement, but it also boosts your website’s visibility on search engines.
Keep it simple and relevant to your business. Whether you’re sharing product updates, how-to guides, or industry news, a blog helps build trust and keeps people coming back for more. There are few better ways to show your audience what your business is all about.
Take a look at: A Beginner’s Guide to Blogging for Business and Blogging A to Z: Your Glossary Guide for Success
10. Keep it simple – and expand later!
There’s no need to launch with everything all at once. Start with a simple website and focus on getting the essentials right. As your business grows, you can gradually add more features, like online booking or an e-commerce store.
The great thing about tools like 123 Reg Website Builder and WordPress is that they can grow with you. You can start with a basic website and easily add new features as your needs change. Whether you want to add a blog, online shop, or booking system, these platforms make it simple to expand without starting from scratch.
Remember, it’s better to start small and make improvements over time rather than feeling overwhelmed by trying to do everything from the get-go. You can always expand later as you get more comfortable and your business grows. Keep calm and carry on!
See also: The 123 Reg Guide to Starting an Online Business
Wrapping up
Your competitors are online. Can you afford to fall behind? If you’ve decided it’s time to take your offline business online to get more customers and revenue, we’re hoping the tips in this article will help you to make the move less challenging. Good luck!
