You’ll read a lot online about what makes a successful website so it’s easy to become overwhelmed. If you understand the importance of websites for small businesses, that’s great, but do you know how to achieve it with your site? Unless you’re a whizz with technology and know a thing or two about design, chances are you’re lost at sea when it comes to website care, like most people. Here are some straightforward things that all successful sites have in common:
- Brand
If you’re just starting out or have a relatively low profile, your brand won’t be huge or instantly recognisable. This won’t happen overnight but a good place to start is by operating best practice right from the off. Respond to orders in a prompt manner, whether it’s you or someone you hire, or you set up an auto response. Be friendly, courteous and keep open lines of communication. The better you become at customer care, the more you’ll get a name for yourself online with positive reviews etc. There are tools available where you can keep track of your reputation management.
- Access to a unique market
Depending on the goods or services you offer, do you have access to a unique market segment to which you could focus your efforts? Many businesses make the mistake of trying to appeal to everyone with the result that the message is so undefined, it fails to engage anyone. Think about who you want your ideal customer to be and focus your website and marketing efforts toward this group of consumers. For example a Bexley Home STI kits company will want to attract a particular kind of person and making them aware of their services.
- Strategy
Every website needs a strategy. Creating a website with no goals is like a ship with no captain, it will just aimlessly float around. The most successful websites have a clear and defined purpose, receive regular maintenance and fresh content and evolve and adapt alongside changes in the business. Many small businesses make the mistake of creating a site and then leaving it, untouched, like an advertising poster on a wall. Imagine your site as a fluid marketing tool that must be nurtured.
- Layout
The best websites have carefully planned layout and easy navigation. A visitor should be able to easily find what they need, so don’t be tempted to bombard them with too much information text. You only have a few seconds to engage a website visitor before they click away, so make those seconds count.
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- Optimisation
All good sites cater for every device user. It’s no longer acceptable for sites to only load on PCs and Google does penalise those sites without responsive design. You’ll want to know that your site loads quickly and effectively on tablets and smart phones, so your customers can access what they need, wherever they are.
