Just when you thought it was good enough to have a website, the game changed again. Static websites no longer work. Small businesses now need newer website platforms that allow for adding on content on a regular basis. There are some simple steps to keep in mind when designing your new small business website. The small business website design tips below will make your site relevant, attract your clients, provide answers to their questions, and make their decision to do business with you very easy.
1. Target Market & Content
The focus of your website redesign should not be solely based on the look and feel of your site. Online competition is now based on CONTENT more than anything else. So start with a fresh new approach. You know your clients better than anyone. Once you have decided to pull the trigger and get or re-design your site, think of your clients first. What types of information do they look for and find useful? And what image of yourself are you presenting to them? You can’t be all things to all customers, so get focused on who bought from you in the past, why they bought, and why they come back to you. Once you have an understanding of that, you can then create a plan for the content that will be available on your new site. Create a plan for your existing information and for the future. If you don’t have the most up to date information about your company, products, and services the prospective client will either think you’re out of business or out dated. You must provide relevant content and NEW content on a regular basis. Lanergy Solutions Build a Blog tools help you quickly compile and format updates to your website in a search engine friendly format.
2. Website Design
While flashy may be appealing, it’s not why consumers go to your site or why search engines rank your site. Cool effects also do not necessarily make your website functional. Online customers have a short attention span. The focus on should be on getting users to information on your site and more importantly, getting them to the right place on your site. Avoid…
- Flash Videos (Some browsers won’t display Flash)
- Video-Only Information (Customers may not be in a place where they can hear audio or may not have speakers)
- Mandating Registration (Give away information for free to demonstrate your knowledge and build loyalty)
- Overwhelming Categories of Information
- Too Many Ads and Distractions
3. Clear Call to Action
What do you want the prospective client to do when they get to your site? When they get there, they shouldn’t be wondering, “how do I do this……?” Tell them to subscribe here, buy here, contact here. Sounds simple,… and it is. Make it easy for the consumer to interact with you with easy to find contact information and registrations forms. If they have to hunt down your information, they likely will not do anything.
4. Cost
If you start with this question, you will hate every answer you hear. If you’re not serious about making your website a piece of your marketing plan, you won’t get the results you want and you will have paid for a site that no one sees or understands when they get there. Bottom line, Lanergy Solutions doesn’t put its name on anything that doesn’t work.
How Lanergy Solutions Can Help
Lanergy Solutions helps small business owners figure out the best strategy for website design and content. We go far beyond the small business website design tips provided above. We take the time to understand your business, objectives, and clients to build the most effective small business website. Your website is often the first thing a consumer sees when getting information about you. Give them a great first impression, answers to their questions, and a reason to choose you.
