Launching your first small business website is an exciting experience. As soon as you see your logo on the screen, things begin to feel a little more real. It’s not just some ephemeral idea anymore. It’s a real company with a real website!
But slow down a second. There are a few things newbies miss when crafting their first small business website that can impact success. Over the years, web users have come to expect certain things from the sites they visit. If you don’t meet these expectations, they are more likely to leave your website and find a competitor. And you don’t want that.
Below are a few suggestions to keep in mind when building your website.
Keep Site Navigation Simple
Anyone who visits your site should know exactly how to navigate it. It doesn’t matter if it’s their first time or fiftieth, everything should be clear and simple. This is easier to accomplish than it sounds. All you need to do is take a moment to anticipate user behavior. If someone visits your site, what would they be most interested in?
If prospective customers are finding you for the first time, they are likely interested in the products and services you have to offer. Don’t hide these important links at the bottom of your page. Include them in the top banner for higher click-through rates (CTR). Another good idea is to include a search bar at the top of your page. That way, web users can find what they need right away.
Make Your Contact Details Available
Then again, your visitors might just want a way to get in touch with you. Be sure to include a phone number, email address and physical address at the top of your page. You should also include this information in your “About Us” or “Contact” pages, along with a brief description of your company’s background and offerings.
Without this vital information, your website could look sloppy and cumbersome. After all, who wants to spend 15 minutes looking for a phone number?
Tell Customers Where to Get More Information
Today’s consumers want to stay engaged with the brands they love. They are interested in the latest news, offerings and updates you have to share. But most folks won’t want to visit your site every day. Instead, they’d prefer to have updates delivered to them.
To do this, you’ll need to set up an email subscription campaign and social media presence. Don’t make your customers or clients search for these outlets. Simply include an email subscription box and social media buttons on your homepage.
Avoid Clutter
Last but not least, you’ll want to avoid clutter. Use plenty of white space to break up content and images.
It’s also important to prioritize only one or two features on a page. Some fledgling web developers want everything to “pop.” But if everything “pops,” nothing stands out. Then everything just turns into a visual mess. So instead, try drawing focus to one or two calls to action (CTAs). Examples include “Read Our Latest Blog Post” or “Click Here for Your Free Quote.”
Follow these tips and you’ll be sure to keep your bounce rate low.
For more helpful hints on crafting your small business website, visit Yahoo Small Business. We can set you up with an affordable and easy-to-build website template today!
