You only get one chance to make a first impression
The ultimate purpose of a website is to deliver traffic and drive conversions. It can seem like a cost-saving idea to design your site yourself. However, unless you are experienced in website design, there is some risk in the do-it-yourself plan.
Think about where you want your business to go, and build a website accordingly. Savvy consumers turn away from sites that appear amateurish or lack the sophisticated look of a professional site.
Today’s consumers are a fickle sort, and the wiring in our brains tells us that the product or service is only as good as the website we find it on. While that isn’t always true, it doesn’t change human nature or the biases we bring to our browsing experience.
Creating a website for those who do not do it professionally can also be a long and tedious process. The time and energy you spend attempting to create your website could better be spent growing your business, networking, and refining the services or products you are selling. It is not difficult to find a website designer with reasonable rates and an impressive portfolio.
1. Content is the Most Important Thing On Your Website
Content is the engine of your website. It doesn’t matter if you have built a Lamborgini website if you power it with a moped motor. Good content proactively answers questions your visitor has, which is also crucial for SEO purposes. A subtle call to action lets them know that contacting you can help them resolve whatever need or problem they have.
If your website is going live amidst a glut of other related sites, such as attorney websites, you will need excellent content to establish trust with potential clients. Avoid market jargon, or in the case of legal websites, too much legalese. Instead, focus on providing clear, concise information that provides a legitimate value to your clients.
Content creation is an art, but it can take a substantial amount of time to create all the content you need for your site. You will also benefit from regularly updated content and a blog that provides a steady influx of visitors.
Consider hiring a content specialist who already knows the ins and outs of SEO, is familiar with your industry, and is willing to take the time to understand your goals for your business.
2. A Responsive Layout
Google has listed responsive web design and mobile-friendliness as a ranking factor. That is another factor that makes investing in professional website development a good idea. Most internet users now browse the web from mobile devices. If your site looks great on a laptop but is clunky and hard to use on a mobile device, you will miss out on a majority of potential traffic.
Your phone number and other relevant contact data should be on every page of your website to drive conversions. Your physical address should appear on each page, as well, to boost local SEO. A mobile site should display a clickable phone number because consumers are accustomed to ease of use, and mobile devices can make it hard to copy a number then dial it from the device. The little things matter when living in the digital age.
3. A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
Put high-quality photos and even videos on your site, but don’t overdo it. Avoid generic pictures that offer no value to your visitors. Instead, focus on images that help visitors connect to your brand, product, or service. However, too many photos, and the annoying pop-ups, can drive visitors away as they perceive your site as lacking substance.
Final Recap
SEO is crucial for ranking on search engines, which is how most of your potential customers or clients will find you. That said, once they are there, you have seconds to convince them that they have found the right place for their needs. Ease of use and high-value content are the two tools that will keep them on your site long enough for a chance at conversion.
Your website is the first impression most people will have of your business, and we all know you only get one chance to make a great first impression. Invest in building a site that represents your business well in the digital realm.
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