The internet is a very different place now than it was even a few years ago. Once, only larger corporations bothered with business websites, and then it expanded to online stores and marketplaces. But now, even small businesses and sole traders are carving out a place for themselves on the digital landscape. Why?
Well, the short answer is that businesses can only succeed if they’re accessible to customers. Customers are found online. They often prefer to shop online. This trend that started over a decade ago exploded during the Covid-19 pandemic and people haven’t looked back.
So, what does this mean for you?
First, you should get a website for your business. Second, you need to create a good website.
There aren’t just more business websites on the internet than ever before, most business websites are now of a much higher quality. This means that there is more competition, so if you want to stand out, or even keep at the same level as your competitors, your website needs to be suitable and usable for your customers.
Developing Your Website
If you don’t already have a website, you at least have a blank slate to work from. It’s easier now to create a website even with limited skills and resources, as you can use one of many website templates online. Many of these services can also host your website, so you can set up your online presence quickly and easily.
However, if you want a website that is designed for your needs exactly, you’re much better off hiring a website developer. Yes, it’s more expensive and more involved, but a developer can build a website that is scaleable and unique to your business. You can find a developer at https://tessa.tech/northern-virginia-web-design/web-developer-northern-virginia/ to create your custom business website.
Attractive and Functional
It makes sense to want your website to be aesthetically pleasing, but the most important thing is to make sure that your website is functional. If you use beautiful but almost unreadable font, then people won’t be able to navigate your website and will get annoyed, even if they appreciate your artistic eye.
On the other hand, if your website is hideous, people won’t want to spend any more time there than they have to. Clashing colors, ugly font, and a strange layout don’t look professional and people will be tempted to find a prettier website.
You also need to make sure that your website is well-designed enough to stand up to traffic. If your website looks fine but is slow and sluggish, people will get frustrated. If you have an e-commerce website, make it easy for people to buy your products. Abandoned shopping carts are a sign that you’ve lost customers and money.
Website Content
As well as making your website look and run well, you need to make sure it is useful to your customers. Content is a great way to attract customers to your website and keep them there.
A blog is always a good way to bring people onto your website. If the content is interesting and relevant to your customers, they will be more likely to stick around and potentially buy something. It’s a bit like a shopkeeper who talks to their customers. You want to buy something from someone you like.
Another good trick is to skilfully integrate SEO techniques into your content. Most people use search engines when looking for products or information, so SEO-friendly content will encourage more people to stumble onto your website.
Social Media Links
Your website shouldn’t be the only online presence that your company has. Social media marketing is incredibly popular for the simple reason that it works. There’s no point trying to market to an empty desert, you need to go where people are. People are currently all over social media.
When it comes to your social media account, you need to have the same attitude to content creation as you do for your website. Regularly update your content. Make sure the content is something that people actually want to read, so it needs to be relevant, interesting, and ideally entertaining. Again, you want people to like your brand.
Finally, link your social media to your website. If someone finds your company through your social media account, then it’s up to you to make it easy for them to get onto your website. This way, a potential customer can begin the journey of becoming an actual, paying customer.
