So you have a website, but it’s not giving your business enough traction. Either no one is visiting your site or your visitors aren’t converting into sales. What gives? Maybe you missed some of the key features of a quality website.
Here are just a few of the things you might have missed when putting together your website and writing your content.
Your contact information – front and center.
How will your potential clients reach you? Include a phone number and your email address prominently on your home page. And don’t forget a contact page. If you’re a brick-and-mortar business, an embedded map makes it easy for visitors to find your store, especially if they’re visiting your website on a mobile device.
A place to collect your visitors’ contact information.
An opt-in helps build your email list, which helps you connect with your audience later. Make sure it stands out (without being too flashy) and is easy to fill out. Don’t ask for your visitors’ name, email address, phone number, address and first born. A simple first name and email is enough for most purposes.
Keyword-rich home page content.
Make Google happy and include key words in your home page content. Think about what words and phrases your clients would use to find you online and include them several times. Be careful not to “stuff” the page with key words that make your text awkward and difficult to read.
The real you.
Did you know that, as of 2011, 78 percent of Internet users conduct product research online? That’s a staggering statistic, especially given that many small businesses are doing most or all of their marketing via social media and websites. Small business owners should stay away from the corporate-speak and show off their personalities online. This includes your website. Include a photo of yourself and your family. Be sarcastic, wear your heart on your sleeve and get real.
Of course, you’ll include all the other necessary information a good website features: information about your product and services, fresh content and detailed information about you and your staff. But If you’re not going to include the must-haves above, it might be time to reevaluate your online marketing!
