1. A great website has easy-to-find information that is updated and useful
There is a saying that goes, “content is king.” You need to have your business name, location, and phone number in an easy-to-find spot. You would be surprised how many times I have to search for a phone number on a website. If I have to look hard for something, I tend to give up and go someplace else. Don’t let that happen on your website!
2. Your website “call to action” should be “above the fold.”
Your call to action is a button or a link and should address the main purpose of your website. It tells the website visitor what to do next. For example, it can be a link to a contact form, a subscribe button, or a link to product offerings. The call to action needs to be compelling and make you want to click. Above all, your call to action should be front and center on your website and stand out. In order to do that, it should not require visitors to scroll down to see it—that’s what “above the fold” means.
3. Offer something for free.
Ultimately, you want your website to bring in sales. But in order to get sales, you need the website visitor to know, like, and trust you. One friend of mine said, “Yeck, I am from New York. I don’t even have to like you, but I do need to trust you.” That is where the freebie comes in. Many businesses do this, but they might forget to mention it on their website. For example, I give a free website assessment to anyone who requests one. Lawyers, accountants, and business coaches often offer a 30-minute free consultation. The freebie can also be information in the form of a downloadable PDF. Whatever you give away for free, make sure you get the email address of the contact before giving it to them. You will add them to your subscriber list, and from there, you will have a chance to impress a potential client and turn them into a paying client.
4. Include a map
This is important for small businesses that service only their local area. Google maps on your website will help you rank higher locally on Google. When I am looking for a new hairstylist, accountant, or shoe store, I need to know where they are physically located. I live in Cary, North Carolina. A hairstylist in Wisconsin won’t be able to help me. Having a Google map on your website will help me find you—literally if you have a brick-and-mortar store and I learn about you through a Google search.
5. Be mobile-ready.
Forbes magazine stated that over half of website searches start on the phone! People are busy, and they aren’t always sitting next to a computer. However, almost everyone has a cell phone with them most of the day. As little as six years ago, websites were primarily designed to be viewed on the computer. Now, according to Business Insider, two-thirds of the world’s population has a cell phone. Your website needs to look good on a tiny screen.
Does your website check all the boxes? If not, call me at 984-664-0307 or contact me for a free consultation.