A great website is essential for your small business success. Most consumers check you out online before doing business with you. A website legitimizes your business. It also tells the consumer that you’ll be there next week, next month, or next year if they have issues with your products or want to purchase more.
Here are some tips for having a business website that gets the job done for you.
Choose a domain name
A domain name, also known as a web address, connects your website to your domain. And it is how people will find you online.
You can have your domain name be the same as your business name. But if that’s already taken, try a name that tells people what you do. If your business is Tony’s Pizza, you could purchase a domain such as ‘bestpizzainrochester.com.’
Consider purchasing your domain when you start your business, even if you’re not ready to build a website. Some unscrupulous people buy business name domains when they see businesses submit DBAs and then sell them to the new business owners for way more than they paid for them.
You can easily check your domain availability and purchase it from Google Domains. Most domains are $12 a year to purchase.
You want your domain to be easy to pronounce and spell. It should also be short. Typing in too many letters into the address bar allows for typos. Avoid using hyphens and numbers. These can make it difficult to find you.
SEO
Be sure your website uses the right keywords for search engine optimization. This is how you will get found in online searches.
Spend some time researching the words and terms used to search online for a business like yours. Ask customers what words they would use to search for you.
Make it easy to navigate
Don’t make your website difficult to navigate. If your users don’t have a good experience, they won’t continue looking at your site and certainly won’t return.
Your navigation menu should be available on each page.
Home page
Your home page is the storefront of your business. It needs to be inviting and easy to navigate. To make it so, use eye-catching images and video. Make sure your font is readable. No cute, curlicue font; it’s too hard to read on a screen. Also, think about your target audience’s age. If you’re selling to seniors, consider using a larger font so it’s easier for them to see and read.
About us page
Tell your story here. Prospective customers want to know who you are, why you’re doing what you’re doing, and how you are different from your competition.
Your mission statement, goals, and values can all be shared on this page.
Content
Your content should tell what you do in a quick, easy read. Your visitors will be put off by a lot of text. Keep it simple with bullet points.
Get into the details in your blogs or on a specific product page.
Include a Call-to-Action
What do you want website visitors to do? Do you want them to sign up for your newsletter? Download your whitepaper? Contact you? Make a purchase?
A call-to-action’s goal is to get people to take the action you want them to take. It’s a great way to collect names and email addresses for your mailing list. These are warm leads for you to follow up on.
Social media links
Include your social media links so website visitors can interact with you through the social media channels you use.
Make it mobile-friendly
Approximately half of all web traffic worldwide is from mobile devices – phones and tablets. Your website needs to look good not only on a computer but on mobile devices.
Testimonials
Share what your customers are saying about you on your website. Testimonials let potential customers know how you’ve helped a customer solve a problem, and they boost your business’ credibility.
Getting testimonials is easy. Just ask your happy customers!
Blog
Do you want to share your knowledge with your audience and let them know you are an expert in your industry? Then include a blog page on your website.
Promote your site
Promote your new website. You’ve spent all this time and money creating your fabulous website, so now you need to let people know it’s there.
Announce it on your social media channels. Include a link to your site. Don’t forget to add your website link to the ‘About’ sections of your social channels.
Have your web address included on your business cards and any brochures or collateral you have created. You can include a link to your site in your email signature too.
Do you need help creating that perfect business website? Contact Blue Lilac Marketing at (585) 325-4941 for professional website design assistance.