Are you thinking of creating a new website for your business? Maybe you have an idea of what you want to do, but you’re not quite sure how to get the ball rolling. You’re not alone.
It’s tough to know the precise details of what your website needs if you’re not a web designer. Every business is different. But, there are some core elements that every business website features to ensure it has a fighting chance of drawing in leads and showing up in the search results. Let’s take a look.
Simple, right? But too often, it’s the simple things that are missed. Businesses miss this all the time, and it’s so important.
You should list your contact information in the header or sidebar of your page so that it is always in reach of your visitors. Create a clickable link for your phone number (a “click-to-call” or :tel link) and email also. Create a Call-to-Action that links to your contact form or opens an email client.
Include contact and inquiry forms throughout your website, so clients do not have to work to find your contact information. Your contact information is solid gold when it comes to gaining clients, and you want to make sure it’s everywhere.
If you can, you may wish to opt for a live chat feature as well. Livechat allows visitors to contact you directly from your website and get answers to questions around the clock. You can even enable an after-hours chatbot that collects inquiries and lead information and notifies your team to follow up during business hours.
Online marketing needs quality content, be it social, digital, or other techniques. A blog is a great way to get started if you’re pursuing effective online marketing. List your blog under your domain (Ex. company.com/blog), as opposed to a blogging service. This strategy will help keep it connected to you and what you do. Make sure you keep the blog updated. You don’t want clients finding posts from two years ago and wondering if you went out of business.
Some of the ways a blog can benefit your business include:
Potential clients want your trust before they choose to work with you. In fact, 89% of marketers surveyed determined that customer testimonials and case studies are the most effective content forms for influencing purchases.
Your website should be used to build your credibility. Share your expertise and success. The testimonials page is often the most visited part of the website. When you gather the testimonials, ask your clients for permission to use their names. Genuine endorsements from known businesses or named individuals are a lot more valuable than an anonymous testimonial.
Customers who know your name can find your website, but it may not be as easy for those who don’t. Optimize your site with relevant keywords. They must match what your potential clients are searching for so that you can generate leads. This strategy is a part of the SEO strategy.
Some SEO Strategy best practices include the following:
Don’t forget to include your company name on your website and in the metadata. It should be on your website so much that there’s no way it won’t be found on Google. Focus on terms likely searched by customers that may not know your business.
Businesses with physical locations typically depend on customers within the geographic area. Thankfully, most people who search for a product or service find the information with a location. So, include your geographic location information, and it will help you use an effective SEO strategy and help people find your business. Don’t forget to register with Google My Business to get the most out of your local search.
People don’t like to work harder than they have to. It’s not a bad thing, rather just a fact of life. So, people often don’t want to spend time looking around your FAQ page trying to find information. Including a live chat option can help you meet the customers exactly where they are and provide instant feedback.
Artificial intelligence has opened so many doors for the world of technology, and your website is not left out. Businesses of all shapes and sizes use it to help them succeed.
Kissmetrics highlighted the untapped potential of live chat and why businesses need it. It included the following statistics:
Professional website design and development are crucial to your site’s success. If your website isn’t easy to use, simple to navigate, and packed with helpful information and features that appeal to visitors, it won’t do your business any good.
Your site doesn’t have to be super-fancy. Clean, minimalist sites do well, but they’re harder to build than you might think. On the other hand, you have a business to run, so why not leave your website’s design up to a professional who knows exactly what makes a great user experience?
At BHirst Media, we focus on creating a great user experience for your customers and more conversions for your business. With a focus on SEO, custom website development, and customer care, we can help you create a business website that will keep your customers coming back for more. Contact us today to see how we can help your business grow.
