According to Contentsquare, an analytics platform, 50 percent of people who visit a website will look at only one page before leaving. To generate a positive first impression and make your small-business website more customer-friendly, consider these six tips.
1. Ease of Use – A website should be created with the customer in mind. Products or services should be easy to locate and acquire, and it should be crystal clear how your offerings will benefit the customer. By seeking out unbiased feedback prior to designing your website, you will build a site that meets customer’s needs.
2. Invest in Visuals – Your homepage should showcase your offerings, and images must be clean and crisp. Use high-quality photos and videos, and add photos of real menu items, retail products, the owner, and customers. Free stock photos can be found on sites like Unsplash and Shutterstock.
3. Mobile Responsiveness – A responsive website is one that responds (or changes) based on the needs of the users and the device being used. Approximately 65 percent of website traffic comes from Smartphones, so build and test your website to ensure that it is mobile-friendly and ‘looks right’ on a Smartphone.
4. Make it Easy for Customers to Contact You – On the top of every page, place social icons, phone numbers, and an email address. It’s also best practice to have a visible Contact Us form, so customers can join a mailing list, request more information, or even request an appointment.
5. High Quality Content – As it relates to websites, Content is King. Keep product information, business hours, and price changes updated, and consider posting positive customer reviews. Also, new blogs will keep users educated and engaged.
6. Invest in Scheduling Software – People are busy. Scheduling software enables them to easily and quickly book an appointment online. Additionally, valuable time will be saved by your staff, you will have fewer scheduling conflicts, and your customers will receive an improved experience.
The net-net? Your website is the backbone of your online presence and your face to customers. Leverage these tips to make it the best it can be and give your customers a great online experience.