When used properly, your company website can be a great tool in terms of marketing efforts. When used improperly, your website can leave a negative impact upon potential customers and even drive people away. Below I will discuss some basic tips that will get you started in creating a successful website.
1. Adding the right amount of text.
Depending on your company, your website will differentiate in the amount of text needed. For example, if your business or product is uncommon, then more text may be required to explain what you are selling. On the other hand, if you are promoting a more well-known product or service such as hair styling, less text would be ideal. In many instances, including this example, more imagery (especially custom photos) could be extremely beneficial as potential customers can see real-life examples of your work.
2. Providing a comprehensible, concise message.
Within seconds of clicking on your page, your customer should be able to figure out what your company does and any action they should take. Depending on the industry, there is a 30-60% chance a visitor on your website will bounce to another page without returning. It is very unlikely for a visitor to stay on your page if they are unsure of your company’s purpose.
3. Avoid using jargon.
Jargon words do not leave a favorable image with your visitors. We’ve all seen many advertisements with headlines talking about their “Next Generation” or “Ground-Breaking” products. These claims seem phony and unrealistic.
4. Relocating new page to functioning links.
“404 Message” or “Page Not Found” messages appear when website designers decide to redo or omit pages from their site. If you decide to relocate a page on your website, make sure to set up a 301 redirect so customers and search engines can easily find the new page. When search engines cannot find a page, you will lose SEO status.
5. Keyword research and search engine optimization (SEO).
Your word and phrase choice is what generates the most traffic onto your page. Major commercial search engines, such as Google and Yahoo, utilize keywords from websites to properly direct people to their respective searches. Determining appropriate keywords for your site is a crucial step in search engine optimization. Google Keyword Planner and Bing WebMaster are excellent tools in conducting keyword research.
For more information on website design, speak with one of our consultants by calling 1-888-35MANGO. Also, you can download our free EBook for more tips on designing a killer website.