A business website is often the first port of call for many potential new customers, whatever your industry.
Now we are well and truly set in the online era; there is no excuse for a half-hearted online presence. Customers want to see relevant and interesting content, a clear layout, but most of all, they want all their questions answered, before they even have to open up their email client or pick up a phone.
If you’re struggling with your website, or you think it could do with a bit of a face lift, keep on reading.
The site map must be logical
There is nothing worse than hunting around through every page that a website offers, just to find a single piece of information.
Opening times, contact details, address, and a basic bio should always be on the front page, along with a comprehensive and easy to understand index of other pages.
This layout is the backbone of your site, so it has to be well thought-out. It doesn’t need to look snazzy or over-engineered, it just has to look logical.
It’s also essential that it’s easy to navigate between other pages, without always having to head back to the homepage. If the task of searching through a website seems too odious, chances are people will just head elsewhere.
Links to social media accounts
Whatever your industry, an active use of social media never goes amiss. The use of social media for client engagement is essential, and it’s a completely free marketing tool, so not utilising its outreach is a waste.
If you’re still a stranger to social media, consider setting up at least a Facebook and a LinkedIn account, although Twitter and Instagram are also very useful if you can dedicate the time.
These accounts will help to increase your reach and your customer’s engagement, but it also gives you an opportunity to express your company’s ethos in a more informal setting.
Just remember to link these accounts to your website, and vice versa. There’s no point in creating a comprehensive online presence if they exist in two separate spheres.
Keep content engaging
Your website should always contain a blog section if you want to keep it up to date and relevant. This blog should contain anything you feel like writing, within the realm of your industry.
It can be insightful, funny, or groundbreaking, but it should always be engaging and relevant. Not only does this set you up as an expert in your field, but it enables you to optimise search engine results.
Check out Darren Langley web design for more information on the importance of regular blogging for SEO (search engine optimisation) for client’s websites.
Once you get into it, guest blogging for other people within your field is also a great way to get your name out there. Just be sure to link it all to your social media accounts too.
Your website is essential to your business, whether you run a pub, an online shop, or an advice service, or anything in between.
It’s what enables customers to engage with your company, but it should also draw your entire online presence together too.
