If your current website design is not attracting leads or creating sales opportunities it’s time either kick it’s but to better performance or fire it and get a new design. Here are some tips to make sure you website design is working hard for you.
1. Navigation – Less is more
Your main menu should be as clean as possible. Less is more as they say. if you have lots of great content use drop menus to sort and organize the content so it’s easy for your visitors to find.
2. Have a call to action on every page
Every page on your website should be making your visitor act on something. The call to action can be many things including purchase your ebook, view your credentials, or watch a demo video. Whatever it is, make it clear to the visitor without them having to think to much about it.
3. Put your phone number on your homepage
Seems obvious, right? Have a look and you will see how often it’s forgotten. It’s often buried on a contact page. Big mistake! Many visitors head to your website just to find your phone number, so make it prominent on your homepage or all pages if possible. The top of the page is usually best but if that is not possible the footer is also a good place.
4. When are you open?
If you have a physical location where people come to purchase products and services, chances are people are looking up your website to see if and when you are open. Make it easy for them to find out. While the contact page is a good location, the footer of your website is even better.
5. Add an about us page
People connect with people, not brands. Consumers want to engage in a relationship with you personally. Think about the last time someone recommended a business to you. Most times it sounds like this: “Go see Rick at Paragon Motors, hes the best mechanic in town” and not “Go see Paragon Motors“. So on your website you should have information on who you are and who your team is so people can identify with you. Add pictures of your team with real bios. Professional experience is awesome, but list your hobbies, family life, and things you like to do for fun. This helps people connect with you before they meet you in person.
6. Use big, bold images
Fill in the blank, A picture is worth a ___________________(hopefully you said “a thousand words”). Pictures help people want to read your content. A good picture will draw people in.
7. Add a directions
For those without a GPS, directions are convenient for just about anybody. Google has a free map widget you can add to your site. Just enter your address and you’ve got directions right to your front door. It shows prospective customers you care about the whole experience.
8. Make your site mobile-friendly
This is so important now and many of your competition are not on board yet. Mobile is huge right now. When potential customers search for your products and services with their smart phones and come across your website that is not mobile friendly, over 80% will hit the back button and leave. People don’t want to pinch and zoom and scroll to read your website.
9. Company branding everywhere!
Did you just update your logo or change your company colors? Make sure your latest logo is on all of your marketing. So when people are looking at your website to find a way to your location, your business sign is easy recognizable as your website.
10. Cut the distractions (ie. music and splash pages)
Many company websites still have intro pages, or music playing in the background. Most of these are distractions from getting visitors to do what you want. A good rule of thumb is if something distracts or takes attention away from the call to action, reduce or remove it.
11. Get social with your customers
Make sure you have links to your social media that is easily seen. Also make sure you have social sharing links for people to share your website through their social media. If you do not have any social media accounts for your business make sure you consult a social media expert for help to make sure you are not wasting time or resources doing it wrong.
12. Be a resource for people
Want to be the brand people are talking about? Want to be the go to company in your industry? If you said yes to either of those you need to remember this. “Givers get”. the more you can give away for free, the more you will get in return. In case of your website give resources away. This could be reports, surveys, white papers, or helpful links. These resources demonstrate to prospective customers you know your stuff.
13. Put your customers to work for you
Your happy customers are the best asset to your business. They are real case studies as to how your company has helped them save time, save money, improve life, increase sales, etc. Reach out to your best customers and ask for a testimonial on what you have done for them. Here’s a tip: have it pre-written, so all your customer has to do is approve it.
14. What is the goal of your website?
Many business owners say they need a website, but have no idea why, or how to use it as a great marketing tool. Make sure you establish a goal of what your website is meant to do. Is it to increase sales? Generate leads? Sell products online? Establish the purpose and build your content around that.
16. Hire a professional
Your cousin who dabbles in code does not know how to market your business. Your friend who build his own website with wordpress does not understand how you attract customers. Your wife that blogs about cats does not know how to blog about your plumbing business. This all sounds simple right? The sad truth is this is how a lot of website s are made. Sure you got it all done for free, but is it really helping your business? What if it could be hurting your business? I would love it if you hired us here at Black Mountain Media, however maybe we are not your top choice. Regardless please hire a professional.
