Building a Website to Market and Showcase Your Company

During this digital era where computers and smartphones drive almost every aspect of our lives, your website has now become your main storefront, the first impression of your business in the scope of all your potential customers. Without a website, it will become nearly impossible for a new customer to cruise by your business purely by chance. Don’t lose hope, because we’re about to teach you how to craft a site that will become a driving force in your success!

What Do You Want Your Website To Do? Securing Your Foundation

It’s easy to say, “I want a website for my business”, but have you taken the time to imagine what that website would look like on the screen? The last thing you want is dozens of useless navigation pages that don’t properly express what you’re trying to convey to your customers. Before you start typing away, it’s best to get to the drawing board and fine-tune the information that you want your customers to see.

Review these goals and guidelines for a strong start in crafting your website:

1. Identify your target audience Most business owners make the mistake of wanting to reach out to everyone they possibly can, but with how many people there are in the world, it’s better to curate your content to a niche audience. For example, an apartment resident won’t be interested in landscaping services because they don’t have a yard to maintain.
2. Craft compelling content People love hearing stories and reading exciting buzzwords. Get creative in grabbing your audience’s attention by straying away from the basic and monotone “professional business” voice that many small business owners see as a safe strategy.
3. Receive engagement There’s no point in creating content if it doesn’t lead to customer engagement. Learn what a call to action (CTA) is and use it in strategic areas of your website like at the top and bottom of your navigation pages or at the end of an article.

What Your Customers Want For Your Website

Today, it’s not enough to just have a website. If you want to become a player in the fierce game of online marketing, you’ll need to learn how to create a site that’s intuitive on all devices, easy on the eyes, and readily displays everything that your audience wants to know. Anything less than that, and any potential customers can easily become frustrated trying to navigate the pages before simply giving up and visiting a competitor’s site.

When in doubt, you can’t go wrong with these fundamentals:

Eye-Catching Visuals

This isn’t the 90s when all websites had the same flatly structured and poorly colored layout. With how far we’ve come in the world of technology, anything is possible with an active imagination and the right skill set. Make use of stunning graphics, high-definition photos, seamless videos, and more! Give your audience a little treat for the eyes to show your dedication to winning them over.

Intuitive Navigation

There’s a fine line between laying into the visual appeal and promoting a fluid platform, and the latter is often more important. The moment a customer isn’t able to conjure up the information they need on your website, they will begin to consider leaving for another site, thus throwing away all of the hard work you’ve put in. Make it easy for users to find what they’re looking for, whether it’s product information, contact details, or blog posts.

Responsive Design

You’ll want your website to be accessible on all devices, but computer and phone screens have very different sizes and orientations. These devices also carry distinct processing power. Creating a website that operates fluidly on all devices is crucial in reaching more people among an audience that averages an attention span of roughly 8 seconds.

Testimonials

With online reviews being the final deciding factor for most people who frequent the internet, there’s no better way to establish your reputation. Platforms with a star review system like Yelp and Google Maps are imperative, but it can also help to have real-life testimonials integrated directly onto your website for convenience. This also allows you more control over how your reviews look, with the option to include your own photos if applicable.