It’s not enough these days to have a business website. You must have a nice-looking, responsive website that is compatible with not only PC browsers, but mobile browsers as well. Downloading and using a cheap pre-made web template is one of the worst things you could possibly do – even if you don’t have a big budget. It’s in the best interest of any business owner to work with a designer who has access to automation tools and services.
In addition to cross-browser compatibility, here are other essential components of a business website:
Clear navigation – a website is useless if visitors can’t figure out where they’re going or what they’re doing. Every page on a site should have easy-to-understand names and URLs: FAQ, Contact, About, Blog, News, etc.. It should be easy to get from Point A to Point B. Links should be displayed in a logical manner.
Landing page with immediate answers – When somebody winds up on your homepage, he or she should be able to figure out what it’s about within just a few seconds. The message should be clear and concise. When doing off-page optimization, whether it’s through ads, social media, business listings, etc…, there should be consistency with your message and brand. Your call to action, whatever it may be, must be apparent and clear.
Responsiveness – A responsive design is more than just creating a web page that can be viewed on multiple devices and screen sizes. It also means that it can be accessed and interacted with, regardless of whether the visitor is using a mouse to click or finger to tap. Thanks to enterprises like Perfecto Mobile, it has never been easier to create and test responsive pages and applications for all users.Your website should be able to load quickly for users who are on the move as well as users who are sitting down. Responsive web design also, according to Business.com, “increases conversions”.
Vital business information – This one seems like a no-brainer; unfortunately, some companies still fail to put up the most important aspects of their business in clear view. Others do the exact opposite and put up TOO MUCH information. Visitors should be able to see who and what you are, what you are offering, how what you are offering will benefit them, and where you are located. However, this information should be condensed. You don’t have to go on and on and on and on. Try to answer the “who”, “what”, “when”, “where”, and “why” in a condensed format. A simple summary will suffice. If you have a local business or office, a map might be ideal as well.
Proper on-page optimization – Everything on a business website should be optimized, from the design itself to the content. Even the images should have keyword-specific meta-data. Don’t go overboard with the optimization, however, as too much of it can lead to dire consequences. Just take a look at Google’s very own “Steps to a Google-Friendly Site”.
Proper social media and blog integration – Today’s businesses, at the very least, have a social media profile or two to go along with their website. It’s in your best interest to have a blog as well. Integrating these platforms into your business site is important for numerous reasons: SEO, brand awareness, maintaining a web presence, keeping users engaged, etc.
Don’t get behind – make sure your business site has all the key components required for consumers, SEO, and brand awareness.