Choose a Great Domain Name
The first step to creating an effective business website is to choose a domain name. Your domain name is the site’s brand and identity. Your name will be used across the board whether that is for your URL, social media platforms, signage, logos, emails, or marking tools. It’s important that the name is simple, yet easily found for SEO (Search Engine Optimization) purposes. You should use appropriate and well-known domain extensions. A .com site is always appropriate unless you are a government organization, non-profit, educational institution, or another specific sector.
Avoid Cluttering Your Website Pages
Your customers should have a unique and seamless experience while visiting your website. If there are excessive pop-ups or distracting images or music, the visitor may leave the site before getting the information they are looking for, or even learning what it is you do.
Your homepage is the guide to everything the visitor needs to know. That being said, make it accessible to your target audience through clear graphics, font, relevant information, contact, and products listed. Use internal linking within your website pages so your visitors can effortlessly move from page to page without resorting to clicking on the back button or homepage. Make sure the most important business information is upfront and center.
Be Mobile Device Friendly
Let’s be realistic, most of us have our heads down looking at our phones throughout the day. If someone is not around a computer, they will likely pull up your website on their phone either via a search or social media link. This means that the site needs to be mobile-friendly. Sometimes when the screen size is decreased, parts of the navigation bar can get lost hidden within an undesired format. Not properly designed, this can also throw off your images and other content not letting the visitor have the full experience of your page, or find the information they need.
Create Consistent Digital Branding
Once your website is out there, people will relate that with your product or service. This means the design should directly align with your business model and mission. Sometimes creating a digital or physical mood board beforehand can get you thinking about what you want your website and theme to look like. Create consistent colorways and use the exact HTML color codes throughout your site. Understand the theme you are looking for, so even with updates, your repeat customers will still feel a familiarity within the site. Try to incorporate consistent branding and fonts throughout your website as well as through your advertisements and social media posts.
Let Customers Easily Reach Out to Your Business
When your website is up and running, you are going to want customers to feel like they can reach out with any question or comment. Getting feedback is incredibly important for every business, no matter the stage. It’s important for growing and building great relationships with their customers.
If you have visitors come to the website and they can’t find a contact, there isn’t a working email or phone number, or the live chat is down, they may get frustrated and look elsewhere for the services provided. Be sure to have a reliable form of contact through not only your website but also your social media pages as well. Customers will reach out with questions via the comment section or direct messaging across social media platforms.
And lastly, add an email newsletter form on your website. This function should be on every page or at the header of your website so it is easily seen. Tools out there such as MailChimp and OptinMonster can help to provide forms to build your client email list.
Learn more about business websites