Since its inception 30 years ago, the internet has utterly transformed business and the way society communicates and interacts in general. It has democratised the commercial landscape, levelling the playing field and allowing corporations, big and small, to compete with equal advantage. Working online, companies now operate free of geographical divides, unfettered by real-world physical or budgetary limitations. Your website works 24/7/365, on a global stage - without so much as asking for a coffee break. So to discover how you can unleash your companies potential online, read on, as this guide will provide you with three means of doing so.  

1. Going it alone or commissioning an agency

Probably the biggest and most fundamental decision in the web production process is whether to go it alone or engage an agency. There are seemingly endless options for getting online ? from DIY services (where you?ll be responsible for populating the entire site yourself) to specialist agencies that handle every aspect of web production, maximising the effectiveness of your site. In truth, unless you come from some kind of design, marketing, or programming background, the task of planning, designing, and producing a website often ends up a fruitless, frustrating, and ultimately time-consuming process. 

Alternatively, full-service agencies like Preface Studios will look after all sides of getting your business online - from initial set-up consultancy to site production and final roll-out/on-going marketing. a business owner, it?s vitally important to consider your overall aims from the production before choosing either path. One thing is certainly true ? the agency path will be quicker and far less fraught with problems.

2. Accessible, responsive design

With over 50% of internet usage now taking place on ?devices?, your website must be produced to work on each. Responsive websites adapt their layout and content, so they are viewable on all screens ? mobile, tablet, laptop, and desktop ? thereby maximising your site?s audience. Accessibility is also a key issue, improving content through assistive technology - whether that be in the back-end CMS area or the front-end, customer-facing website. 

An agency will offer skilled advice and production methods to ensure your site meets the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) accessibility guidelines and responsiveness standards. Going the DIY route, the responsibility for both will lie with you. All the major search engines now penalise non-responsive and non-accessible websites. Receiving a penalty can have a dramatic effect on your site?s success ? not to mention the satisfaction of your users.

3. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)

The majority of internet users find content through search engines, with Google sitting dominant, holding 73% of the market share. Consequently, to get visitors, your site needs to appear in search queries.  Search Engine Optimisation is literally as it sounds ? a process of optimising a website?s design, images, and content to be as search engine friendly as possible. When done correctly, it has a huge influence on your site?s visibility and, in turn, traffic. SEO is an essential component in making your site work for you.