Create a Stunning Website
If you own or run a small business, chances are you've already heard about the importance of having a website. And if you haven't already gotten around to setting up your own site, now is definitely the time. About 75 percent of companies with revenues less than $5 million say that they don't have an online presence—and this can cost them potential business.
As your company grows, you may want to consider adding content beyond simple text and images; things like video, social media feeds, files (such as PDFs) and forms can make your site more interactive for visitors—and more profitable for you. But while building your site is an important first step, it's not the only one. To give your small company the big-time exposure it deserves, you'll need to continue updating and promoting it, while also making sure that your other online assets—such as social media—are in tip-top shape.
Here are nine ways you can keep your small business' website fresh, relevant, and attracting new visitors.
-
Add A Blog
A blog is an effective way to enhance your website with fresh, relevant content that can answer questions, show off your industry expertise, and increase customer loyalty.
-
Add Call-To-Action Buttons
Call-to-action buttons are called just that for a reason: they push visitors toward taking action in some way—for example, signing up for your e-newsletter, checking out your products in more detail, or making a purchase.
-
Add Social Sharing Buttons
These make it easy for site visitors to share pages with friends on their favorite social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter—which can bring you new business when users follow the links they see in their news feeds.
-
Add Video
Videos can help you showcase your business and explain your products—and they're great for SEO purposes, too (they increase the number of times people link to your site when they mention it in blog posts or social media).
-
Add QR Codes
QR (or quick response) codes are the small black-and-white blocks that were originally designed for formatting in manufacturing. Today, you can use them to easily share pages of your site on mobile devices—which is a great way to boost traffic on the go.
-
Add Widgets And Feeds From Other Sites
These add new content to your page without having to actually create it, and can help your site seem fresh, relevant, and active—which will attract repeat visitors.
-
Add Industry News
This is a great way to show off your blog's strengths (since you'll be able to aggregate content), while also staying current with the latest goings-on in your field—which will keep you and your readers on the cutting edge.
-
Add Forms And Contact Information
People who visit your site may want to get in touch with you—whether it's about a current order, a new project, or just some general questions—so make sure they can do so easily by including contact buttons, phone numbers/e-mails, and a contact form.
-
Add Photos And Videos Of Your Products In Action
Videos allow you to demonstrate how your product works, what it looks like out of the box, and why customers should buy it—all without using a single word. And as long as you're not using copyrighted material (or trying to make a buck off of another company's brand), photos and videos of your products in action can be used for marketing purposes, too.
When it comes to providing an optimal experience for your site visitors, you can't just expect your demo or template to “do all the work.”
With these nine ideas, you'll be able to create a website that's both functional and fun for your customers. To get started with any of the following suggestions, just reach out to Sharp Tack Media! We're here to help make sure your business has a clear idea on how they want their site designed and what features it should have. Do you need an online store? A blog? Contact us and we can get started designing the perfect web presence for your small business!
