Contributed article in our small business series. Enjoy! – Kimberly
There are many awful websites online. While some offer poor designs, others are not user-friendly or provide next to no value to their visitors. To ensure your company isn’t one of them, read the five things every small-business website needs.
- A Simple URL
A simple URL is not only easy to remember, but it will appear more professional. It is an extension of your brand, so you must carefully choose a domain name before you even embark with a web design. If possible, we recommend using your brand name so it stays in your visitors’ minds.
Companies are wise to opt for a .com domain or one applicable to their local area such as .co.uk. However, non-profits should opt for .org to build visitor trust. Also, try to avoid using hyphens or numbers in your URL, as it could cause confusion and a visitor may type in the wrong web address.
- A Clear, Concise Description
A visitor shouldn’t have to spend their time digging through your website to learn more about you. You must introduce yourself on a homepage by summarising who you are, what you do, and what makes you different from your rivals. By highlighting your USP, you will gain visitors’ attention, which could encourage them to remain on a site a little longer.
- A Simplified Navigation Site Map
A successful website naturally guides a visitor from one page to another, with the aim of helping them to find exactly what they are looking for. For this reason, display clear links on your important web pages. It’s also beneficial to provide dropdowns in the navigation menu, which will allow a visitor to browse the content under each heading. There are many tricks that can be employed to achieve optimum user experience for your site, and it is advisable to use an affordable web design Birmingham agency to create both a memorable and easy to use site.
- Strong Call to Actions
Think carefully about your company’s goals before designing a new website. Ask yourself the actions you would like a visitor to take on each page. For instance, you may want a prospective customer to add a product to a shopping cart, or call for a free quotation. Develop a strong call to action that encourages a visitor to get in touch. Don’t forget to showcase a call to action by highlighting the text or creating a prominent button for a visitor to click.
- Visible Contact Information
The last thing you will want is to lose a customer because you failed to provide visible contact information. Customers don’t want to spend their time sourcing a contact page, which is why you should include the information in the top left or right corner of a homepage. Many companies also choose to add the information to the website footer or even the sidebar.
Remember, not all customers will want to pick up the phone to telephone your brand. For this reason, include an email, contact form and address on your website. This will allow a visitor to reach you on their terms, not the other way around. It could be the difference between a visitor turning into a customer or turning to a competitor.
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