Tips for Creating Websites that Work
A website is often the first impression a customer has of your business. It’s important to make sure that your website design represents your company in the best way possible. In this blog post, we will give you tips on how to create a money-making website that works for your small business. We’ll discuss everything from layout and design to navigation and functionality. So whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been online for a while, read on for some helpful advice!
Importance of website design for small businesses
The website should be easy to navigate, and the user should be able to find what they are looking for easily. The layout should be simple and organized, and the overall design should be professional. If you are just starting out, we recommend hiring a professional web designer to help you get started. However, if you have been online for awhile, there are plenty of resources available to help you improve your website design. Just remember, your website is often the first impression a customer has of your business, so make sure it represents you in the best way possible!
There are many website design tips and tricks that can help you create a website that works for your small business. However, the most important thing to remember is that your website should be easy to use and navigate. It should also be visually appealing so that visitors will want to stay on your site.
Website Design for Small Businesses Checklist
- Layout: Is the website easy to read? Is it visually appealing? Does it make sense? Do the pages load quickly?
- Design: Do the graphics look good ? Do they help convey the message you want to get across? Does it support your brand? Is the overall website design professional?
- Navigation: Is it easy to find what you’re looking for? Can users get where they want to go without getting lost? Are the links easy to understand and follow?
- Functionality: Does the website work well? Are there any broken links or errors? Is everything up-to-date and accurate?
Tips for layout and design
There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to website layout and design. First, you want to make sure that your website is easy to read. Use clear fonts and prominent headings so that visitors can quickly scan your site and find the information they’re looking for.
It’s also important to make sure that your website is visually appealing. Use high-quality images and graphics, and be sure to choose a color scheme that compliments your brand.
Finally, you’ll want to ensure that your website pages load quickly. No one wants to wait around for a slow website, so be sure to optimize your site for speed. Not only is speed important to your visitors’ experience, but search engines will penalize sites that are slow to load.
Tips for navigation and functionality
When it comes to website navigation, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you want to make sure that it’s easy for visitors to find what they’re looking for. Use clear and concise links so that users can quickly get around your site. You’ll also want to ensure that your website works well on all devices . More and more people are using their phones and tablets to browse the web, so it’s important to make sure your site is responsive. Finally, you’ll want to regularly check for broken links and errors. No one wants to click on a link that doesn’t work, so be sure to test your website regularly.
Website Design for Small Businesses: The ‘X Factor’
Keep it simple.
One page websites work well for small businesses – they are easy to navigate and look great on all devices. But more importantly, one-pagers provide for a controlled and targeted message without the distractions that multiple page websites often provide.
Think of the one-page website as you leading your website visitor by the hand, ultimately building the case why you are the best choice to provide the product or service they are looking for…without any other pages to distract them from their decision at hand.
So how do you do that?
The “Hook-Story-Call to Action” Framework
When it comes to a one-page website, or any type of website for that matter, you want to make sure that you have a clear hook, story, and call-to-action. This framework, above all others, helps to ensure that your website achieves the goals that you’ve set for it.
Your hook is what will grab your visitors’ attention and make them want to stay on your site. It should appear in the headline or in the first few sentences of the page. The hook should be relevant to the content on your web page, and ideally should focus on 1) removing pain that your prospective customer has or 2) helping them achieve a dream.
Once you have their attention, tell them a story…about you, your brand and/or product. The story builds a connection between you and your visitor.
Facts tell, stories sell. Effective storytelling starts the relationship-building process and connects you with your audience in an authentic way. It also begins to build customer loyalty that is needed to sustain revenue long term.
The final piece of the puzzle is the call-to-action. This is what you want your website visitors to do when they’re done reading your page. Do you want them to sign up for a free trial? Contact you for a consultation? Make a purchase? Whatever it is, be sure to include a clear and concise call-to-action so that there’s no confusion.
Last But Not Least…
Many times a visitor to your website might not be ready to buy…yet. They may be gathering information, researching options, or just not sure. Not a problem. You want to make sure that you have a way to capture their contact information so that you can follow up with them later.
This can be done through the use of a newsletter sign-up, contact form or, better yet, a value-rich ebook or white paper that will provide them with information related to what they are looking for and benefits them. Not only does it reinforce your knowledge and expertise of the subject at hand but, more importantly, shows you care to share information that is valuable to them. This ‘lead magnet’, as it is often called, can also be a coupon or discount code for first-time buyers, free training webinar, template or product trial.
Whatever lead magnet you use, the important thing is to make sure that you are getting your visitors’ information so that you can continue the conversation and ultimately convert them into a customer.
Final Thoughts on Website Design For Small Businesses
By following these website design tips for small businesses, you can create a sales machine that works for you and helps you achieve your business goals. Just remember to keep it simple, easy to use, and visually appealing, and use the framework of Hook-Story-Call to Action to ensure that your website achieves the goals that you’ve set. By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating a “website that works” for your business.
Need help getting started?
We offer website design services for small businesses! Contact us today to learn more.