7 Great Qualities All Small Business Websites Need to Have
Creating a website for your business is just the beginning. You need to optimize this site so that people can find it and navigate it easily. There are a number of tools to help you build your website, but its success ultimately boils down to the decisions you make and the fixtures you choose to put on the site. Here are several qualities you do not want your website to be without.
1. Mobile Capabilities
Your website should not look the same on a smartphone as it does a laptop. You need to optimize your website so that people can easily read it from a mobile device. Smartphone usage is only increasing as the years go on. Many people are using these devices to look up a store’s information while on the go, so do not give consumers a reason to click away.
2. Social Media Integration
Your website should not be your company’s sole online presence. You should also create Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and other social media accounts so that consumers have a number of ways to find you. Integrating social media tabs onto your website helps tremendously with search engine optimization. You just need to remember to post content regularly on each platform you are on.
3. Contact Information
No matter how detailed the information on your website is, people may still need to reach out for questions and comments. That is why you want to have a webpage dedicated to your contact information. Have your phone number and email address readily available. It is also helpful to create a dedicated online contact form where people can send in comments directly from the site.
4. Calls to Action
After you develop your website, you want to make it clear what customers are supposed to do. Do you want them to purchase something? Do you want them to look through content you have created? The end of each page needs to contain a call to action laying out what consumers are expected to do next. Tell people to request a free consultation or to share an article on social media.
5. Good Security
Small business websites are particularly susceptible to hacking and viruses. You especially need to invest in a good security system if you are asking customers to give you their credit card information. One incident could result in lawsuits, and that is the last thing any small business owner needs. Some good options to explore include GeoTrust, Entrust and VeriSign.
6. Pertinent Information
The exact information you need on your site will ultimately depend on the business you run. If you sell products, then you need to have product images. If you run a restaurant, then you need to have the menu available. If you are unsure about what exactly to include on your website, then look at what similar businesses are doing. You will learn what is good to include, and you may also see what mistakes to avoid.
7. Logical Flow
Regardless of the information you include, you need the navigation architecture of your site to make sense and is easy to understand. When in doubt, keep it shallow. You do not want visitors to get lost on a site and be unable to get to the main page. Utilize drop-down menus to categorize everything into one simple place. Make sure you use language appropriate for your audience. Avoid corporate talk or industry jargon. Finally, do not be afraid to incorporate negative space to let each webpage breathe.
Take the time to ensure your business’ website will actively help your company grow. Good content and simple navigation will ensure that when consumers visit your site, they will not immediately click away.
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