If you don’t know a lot about designing a great website, you’re not alone. While it is certainly a niche talent, all business owners should at least be aware of what it takes to make a website effective. Today’s tips can help you do just that by understanding the different components that go into an amazing website. Here are a few of the most important aspects of your website that shouldn’t be overlooked.
SEO
SEO, or search engine optimization, is crucial, especially when you run an ecommerce business. Your site must be optimized for the search engines; otherwise, your competition will catch all of the big fish. If you feel your website needs a little help in the SEO department and you don’t want to tackle this by yourself, get in touch with professionals to help you create a beautifully branded website that will rank well in searches.
Charts and Graphics
Pictures, and in today’s digital climate, infographics are a great way to quickly and easily share information with your customers. For lots of complicated scientific reasons that SimpleShow has effectively explained, pictures simply stick to the brain better than words, and you are more likely to remember imagery 60,000 times faster than anything you read. With the help of an infographic maker, you can share insights with your customers, vendors, and employees by using a personalized template. All you have to do is add in your colors, text, and other design features.
Customer-Centric Content
Your customers are what keep your business going, and they usually start with your website. Give them what they need, which is essentially anything that drives them to make a purchase decision. This could be blog posts, informative articles, or even videos showcasing your abilities. Whenever possible, position yourself as an expert on a subject; this can often help persuade and encourage readers to try your products or services, as well as any other third-party products you decide to promote on your website.
Mobile-Friendliness
It doesn’t matter what industry you serve, you need a mobile website. Up to 72% of online searches take place in the palm of someone’s hand. Not only will a mobile-friendly design provide a clean, easy-to-use interface for tablet and smartphone users, but it will also help your website rank higher in search results.
A Clean Design
A clean design means that it’s free of unnecessary components. WordPress writer Imia Hazel explains that a minimalist design palette is a simple way to keep your site clean. This matters not only visually, but having a scaled-down website will keep glitches and bugs at bay.
Consistent Navigation
Consistent navigation helps people find things on your website, no matter which page they start on. The last thing anybody wants is to click on one page only to get stuck and not have the option to go back home, to the blog, or to your e-commerce shop. The Blog Societies page explains that your website should also contain a search button, social media icons, and branding materials.
Functional Links
It’s never a bad idea to take a look at your site to see which links work and which don’t. The dreaded 404 error not only looks bad to search engines, but it can also be highly frustrating to customers looking for specific information only to find that it’s drifted off into the digital world, never to be seen again.
In addition to all of the above, your website should be consistent with your other online and print platforms. This, coupled with SEO, charts and graphics, mobile friendliness, and the other tips above, can help you plan a better website. And in today’s digitally-connected society, your online presence matters more than ever.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the idea of creating your own website, never fear. Pinstripe Marketing is a full-service marketing firm that can develop your website, social media, and content strategies.
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