Web Design in Reading PA: A Local Business Owner’s Guide to Getting Online Right

Last week, I ran into Mike (not his real name) at the Fairgrounds Farmers Market. He owns a small business in West Reading that’s been around for 15 years.

“Tim,” he said, grabbing my arm, “I just lost a $20,000 contract to a new competitor. Know why? The customer said they went with the other guy because his website made him look more professional. I didn’t even get a chance to bid!”

Mike’s not alone. Every week, I hear stories about Reading PA businesses losing customers to competitors simply because their websites aren’t doing their jobs. It’s like having a sales team that shows up to meetings in pajamas – it doesn’t matter how good you are if you don’t look the part.

Why Most Reading PA Websites Aren’t Working

Most websites around Reading PA are about as effective as trying to turn left onto Penn Street during rush hour. They look outdated, load slower than traffic on 422, and do about as much for your business as a billboard in a fog bank.

As we covered in our guide about website redesign in Berks County, if your site isn’t bringing in new business, it’s not just outdated – it’s costing you money. And we’re not talking small change here. Our research on web design ROI shows that a well-built website can pay for itself within months.

Essential Elements of a Reading PA Business Website

1. Professional, Local-Focused Design

Think of your website like a storefront. Would you let your shop windows get dusty? Would you leave burned-out light bulbs in your sign? Your website needs to look as professional as your physical location – maybe even better.

What that means:

• Clean, modern design that works on phones (because let’s face it, everyone’s on their phone)
• Fast loading speeds (people are as patient as Reading traffic at rush hour)
• Local imagery that shows you’re part of the community
• Professional photos that make your business shine

Speaking of costs, I break down exactly what you should expect to pay in our 2024 web design pricing guide. No surprises, just straight talk about what things cost around here.

2. Built to Convert Visitors into Customers

Your website needs to do more than just look pretty. It needs to turn visitors into customers faster than Jimmie’s sold out of water ice on a hot summer day.

Key elements include:

• Clear calls to action (tell people what to do next)
• Easy-to-find contact information
• Service area maps showing where you work
• Customer testimonials from local folks

Want a deeper dive into what makes websites work for local businesses? Check out our guide to small business web design in Berks County.

3. Local SEO That Gets You Found

Having a great website doesn’t matter if nobody can find it. That’s where Local SEO comes in. As we explain in our Local SEO guide, you need to show up when people search for businesses like yours in Reading.

The basics:

• Google Business Profile optimization
• Local business directories
• Content that mentions local areas
• Reviews from local customers

Once your site is up, you’ll want to promote it. Our internet marketing guide shows you exactly how to do that.

4. A Website That’s Easy to Update

Remember when you needed a computer science degree to update a website? Those days are over. That’s why we build most of our sites on WordPress. As we explain in our WordPress web design guide, it’s like having a website with power steering – anyone can drive it.

Choosing the Right Web Partner

This might be the most important decision you make. As we discuss in our comparison of local web designers versus national agencies, there are pros and cons to each choice.

A local partner understands:

• The Reading PA market
• Our unique community
• Local competition
• What works here (and what doesn’t)

Getting Started

Ready to get your business a website that works as hard as you do? Here’s what happens next:

1. We meet (maybe grab some coffee)
2. Talk about your goals
3. Create a plan that fits your budget
4. Build your new site
5. Train you how to use it
6. Support you as you grow

Don’t forget about maintenance. Like we cover in our website maintenance guide, keeping your site running smooth is just as important as building it right in the first place.

Remember Mike from the Farmers Market? Two months after launching his new website, he called me. “Tim, you’re not going to believe this. Remember that $20,000 contract I lost? Just landed three more just like it. The website paid for itself in the first month!”

That’s what a good website can do for your business. It’s not just about looking good online – it’s about growing your business, finding new customers, and showing Reading PA what makes you special.

Ready to get started? Let’s talk about getting your business the website it deserves.

If you’re ready to get your Reading PA business a website that actually brings in customers, you might like my web design services, because I help local businesses succeed online every day.