In an era when online entrepreneurs are building businesses at alarming rates, the ones that thrive are those that stand out from the crowd. Consumers are not only looking for great deals and buys online, they are also looking for easy, warm, comfortable experiences as they navigate the World Wide Web.
Small businesses, especially, have to think of creative ways to get noticed in a complex environment. One way is to make sure they have dynamite websites that draw consumers into the business. There are five considerations for small businesses to make when designing their websites to attract clientele.
1. Keep the Website Design Clean and Simple
A huge part of keeping clients satisfied is making sure the website is clean cut and easy to navigate. A website with all the bells and whistles — ads screaming in and videos playing automatically — can be visually overwhelming and annoying to customers. The website needs to be designed so that it is easy for the eyes to track the information and move from one part to another.
Part of keeping the website simple is to eliminate all the fluff that could crowd the space. This includes too many social media icons, unnecessary or irrelevant visuals, and random advertisements.
2. Include Five Basic Pages
When designing a simple website, businesses only need five basic pages. Customers expect the information included on these pages, namely:
- Home – customers like home pages that give them basic overviews of the company. The home page should include a prominent call-to-action, making it easy for customers to communicate with the company.
- About Us – customers like to know what the business is about. Sharing the company’s beliefs in the form of a vision and/or mission can help customers build trust and loyalty.
- Products and Services – customers like to know detailed information, see images, compare pricing, and examine return policies, making it important to present this page to them. This is where customers will spend most of their time.
- Customer Testimonials – customers like to know what others think. Reviews, in the form of quotes, from existing or previous customers allow potential clients to hear direct evidence about the company’s customer service and product quality.
- Contact Us – customers like to have the option to contact the company in case they have any questions or comments about the products and services. It is important for companies to at least provide their business address, phone numbers, hours of operation, and email addresses for customers to reach them. Make it easy for customers to make contact.
3. Include Strong Calls-to-Action and Clear Sign-Up Forms
When companies want to attract customers to spend more time interacting with them on websites, they need to make sure their home pages contain strong calls-to-action and clear places for people to sign up. A clear place to sign up allows customers to sign up for future communication or exchange their email addresses for other incentives. These email addresses can then be collected and added to the business’ customer list.
Offering an incentive, like a free eBook, when customers sign up for emails or newsletters, can help small businesses garner customers. Future discounts or free, expert advice can also be used as incentives to attract customers.
4. Invest in Professional Images
Small businesses need to include professional-grade images on their websites to attract and keep customers. People crave clear visuals when they visit websites. A page laden with verbiage is not as attractive as one sprinkled with engaging, intriguing photographs and other images. A picture is truly worth a thousand words, even on a business website. It is especially important to invest in professional product shots, as these can pay off easily in the long run.
5. Connect with Google
One way small businesses can thrive on the Internet is to use Google for their many website needs. Including SEO content on a website can lead to increased clientele, especially if the business turns up on the front page of a search.
Taking the time to investigate the nuances of Google and focusing energy on trying to get a high ranking in search results can really be worth the while. Understanding the use of keywords and phrases can benefit small business owners as they work through Google to build their client base.
When small businesses consider these five important factors in their strategies to attract more customers onto their websites, they are better able to build a list of loyal consumers who will not only continue to return, but also spread the word about the company. There is no better way to advertise than to have satisfied customers tell others about their positive experiences interacting with a company online. The simpler the process and less clicks customers have to make to get what they want, the more prosperous an online business will get.
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