Website 101

If you’re a business owner, then you know that you need to have a website.  That much is easy.  However, you must consider this… What does your web site say about your company?  Does it showcase who you are and what you do?  Or is it dull, lacking, and unworthy of a second visit?

Unfortunately, you can have the best product or service around and not be able to get people to come and spend any amount of time on your website.  You have an average of 3 to 4 seconds to get a potential clients’s attention when they land on your page!  That is all.  They quickly scan the page and if it does not grab them in those seconds, they are gone.  And so is your potential sale.

Consider this.  Your website is your online storefront.  If you had (or have) a brick and mortar location would it be outdated, lacking, and unprofessional?  When consumers visit a site and see outdated information, poor spelling and grammar and unfinished pages, it conveys to them that the business may not be up to the standard that they are looking for.  It does nothing to bolster the confidence of that potential client.  It makes you lose credibility instantly.

A professional, well written and frequently updated website can take a good company and make it spectacular.  Here are a few things to keep in mind about your company’s website:

1.  Have a compelling and attractive headline.  It is the first thing       visitors are going to see.  Make sure that is grabs their attention.

2.  Consider a landing page (Landing Where You Need To Be).  The whole purpose of a landing page is to gather information from potential clients.  A great way to do this is to offer something in exchange for their email address.  Subscriptions to your newsletter, a free quote, whitepaper, or a free webinar are just a few examples of what you can offer.

3.  Testimonials.  Nothing showcases how great you are than compliments from those that you serve.  Gather testimonials from your clients that illustrate what an amazing job you do!

4.  Be sure to update your site frequently.  Once a month is a good guideline.  You can change up the pages, add new pages or offer different products or services on your landing page.  The whole point is to keep it fresh. This also helps with your organic search engine optimization.

5.  Keep it personal and safe.  Your clients want to know you.  They want to feel that if they give you their information and their business, you are going to take care of them.  Use a safe, opt in form with a privacy policy (icontact is a good one to use) and be sure to put the “you” into your website.  It should be an extension of you to make your clients feel secure.

You have taken the time to build your business and your website.  Do not let a stale, unprofessional website ruin the progress that you have set in motion.  Make it fun, make it attractive, and keep it new.  It is one of the best marketing tools you have!

2 Responses to “Website 101”

  1. Trisha Wells says:

    Great tips for those considering building their own websites.

  2. erin says:

    Thank you Trisha! We appreciate your comment!

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