Just because you’re a small business, doesn’t mean your website should be any less important, or not be given as much attention, as that of your larger competitors.
In fact, this is your chance to outshine other organizations that are much larger-and the fact that you’re a small business will be virtually unknown by your website visitors.
In fact, this is your chance to outshine other organizations that are much larger-and the fact that you’re a small business will be virtually unknown by your website visitors.
There are three essential elements to all small business websites, including:
1) Quality Content. Obviously, there’s no reason to have a website if it isn’t worth visiting. You want your website to showcase what you have to offer. This doesn’t just include your products and services, but also your organization’s professionalism. Your site needs to show that you are, in fact, a professional organization. Poorly designed sites often give the wrong impression and may deter potential clients from purchasing from your site. What’s more, a site that has quality content within it and is updated regularly assists with your search engine optimization (SEO) efforts. It’s a win-win!
2) Simple, and well-designed with SEO in mind.
A website needs to be well-planned with a site map that is designed to walk the visitor logically through your site.
Can your visitors locate all of the information they need regarding your products? Are there helpful guides and well-titled drop-downs to assist your readers? What about helpful content?
Online users like to read short paragraphs, bulleted lists, and see plenty of white space. Keep it simple for the best results.
Your site needs to be optimized for SEO from the very beginning, if possible. If you already have a site established and need to optimize it for SEO, that’s okay too. Just make sure it is done.
3) Call to Action.
What can you offer your prospective customers that others cannot?
Perhaps, you can offer a buy one, get one free just for filling out the contact information page. Another option may be to provide free standard shipping to clients that visit your site. Whatever you can do to make it beneficial and urgent to respond, is a strong call to action.
It goes without saying that your site should have all of your contact information displayed prominently on each of your website pages-not just your homepage. Also, be sure to provide all means of contacting your business, including email, phone number(s), and your mailing/physical address. This will help establish your credibility.
