In our increasingly digital world, your business’s online presence is crucial to your success. How you appear to customers online can make or break you. If a potential client doesn’t like your company’s website they aren’t likely to interact with you. They’re even less likely to recommend you to a friend.
Knowing how to create a website that can engage customers, be located by search engines and encourage conversions is no easy feat.
The following tips will help guide you through the process of creating a website that will turn visitors into customers.
1. User Experience.
The most important aspect of web design is making the site easy to use. First, the site needs to be functional. Does the website load properly? Are there any broken links? Do the features of your site work properly? Malfunctioning features like contact forms or surveys can cause a customer to leave your site in frustration.
Next, you need to consider how the user will navigate your site. If the site is difficult and confusing to get around, potential customers may leave and not come back. The best navigation systems are intuitive, meaning its easy for the customer to understand how to find what they’re looking for. Consider using a site map and streamlining navigation by archiving unnecessary or underperforming pages.
2. Aesthetics.
A clean, appealing design is just as important as the functionality of your site. A good site design is one that is engaging and easy to read with intuitive navigation. The design should help users to focus on the value of your company and the content you’re offering. Avoid distracting graphics and large amounts of text.
You should also consider the color scheme of your site. Different colors evoke different emotional responses. Consider your target audience, what colors will your ideal customer respond to? Do you want to convey your company’s voice with professional blue tones or bright and funky yellow?
3. Speed.
The amount of time it takes for your website pages to load can affect how a potential customer views your company. If a page doesn’t load within three to five seconds, most people will leave and never come back. Make sure to test your site ahead of time so that you can identify any loading issues and fix them before your site’s official release. After your site is launched, it’s a good idea to periodically test your site’s loading time. This will ensure that you are continually providing positive user experience.
4. Content.
The content of your website is what your customers have come to your website for. You should offer high quality, original content that is consistent with your company and products. Furthermore, your site’s ranking in search engine results is affected by the quality of content and the keywords you use.
A good way to continually provide relevant content to your customers is through a blog. A blog keeps customers up to date on the latest products, industry-related information and company events. It also enhances your company’s position as a trusted resource and industry authority. This will increase your customer’s trust in you and increase the likelihood that they will engage your services or purchase your product.
5. Contact Information.
A call to action is a piece of content that is meant to encourage a user to take a specific action. In the case of your website, this may be to purchase a product, enlist a service or contact you. In addition to the call to actions that urge a user to convert, you’ll want to have clear calls to action that advertise how to contact your company. Nothing irritates potential customers more than not being able to easily contact a company. Ensure that each page on your site includes a call to action that informs customers of the best way to get in contact with you.
