In today’s business world, it is essential for businesses of all sizes to have a well-designed website. However, for individuals who have no prior experience in creating a website, the initial steps can be overwhelming. A website holds significant significance for a business as it plays a crucial role in establishing credibility with customers or potentially losing them.
Obtaining a website for a small business is a major hurdle that small business owners must confront. Moreover, the task becomes increasingly arduous due to the countless options available and the unpredictable costs that can vary significantly, making it perplexing to establish any logical pattern.
The main goal of a professional website designer should be to develop a website that can increase meaningful and relevant traffic, generate more leads, and address any issues that users may encounter while navigating through the website.
In 2019, it is clear that you are dedicated to constructing a small business website, as a business without a website is unimaginable nowadays. As you progress, it is essential to bear in mind your broader goals and objectives, gradually working towards establishing a greater presence.
1. Free from clutter.
To ensure a pleasant viewing experience for users, small business websites should have a simple yet captivating design. Including too much information or using a complicated design can overwhelm viewers, so it is important to allow the website to have a clear and uncluttered layout. This not only conveys a sense of professionalism but also provides room for the website to breathe.
Your site should be easily found by Google.
In order for search engines like Google to easily index your small business website, there are several factors to consider. First, your site should be uncluttered and have clear content. Proper URLs, a sitemap, and relevant keywords are also necessary. When designing a website for a small business, it is crucial to incorporate basic SEO techniques. It is recommended to find a platform that is SEO-friendly for building and maintaining your website. If you need assistance, a Website Advisor can provide guidance in this process.
When designing a website, it is important to ensure that it is compatible with mobile devices.
Following Google’s announcement of the mobile-first index, it would be unwise not to have a responsive website for your small business. This essentially means that your site will adjust and reorganize itself for mobile device viewing. However, simply being responsive does not automatically make your website mobile-friendly. It is crucial to guarantee that your website delivers a user-friendly experience across all devices.
4. Leads that come in from external sources
The primary goal of a small business website is to prioritize capturing as many inbound leads as possible. Typically, customers prefer to conduct early research and comparisons before making a purchase, which may result in a delayed buying decision.
During this time, focus on obtaining their email addresses to keep them updated and determine their readiness to make a purchase. It is essential to strike a balance and not become overly persistent, as it may irritate prospective customers.
The contact details can be easily seen.
Small business website design companies often overlook this factor, which may seem obvious. It is important to prominently display your phone number and e-mail address on your website, ideally at the top and bottom of each page.
At the end, generate a ‘CONTACT’ page encompassing the company’s contact numbers, email address, physical address, and a map. Additionally, provide directions to the company and specify its hours of operation.
6. It is important for branding to have a professional appearance.
When designing your small business website, it is important to avoid any unnecessary elements and instead prioritize a professional appearance that aligns with your brand. Incorporate colors that are prominently featured in your brand logo.
If necessary, consider hiring a website design company such as Globalgraphics to give your website a professional appearance. Select one or two fonts and maintain their consistent use across the website. Additionally, make sure that the graphics and images you incorporate are harmonious and complement the overall website design.
The design of a website should be both unique and simple.
If you are designing your website yourself or employing a small business website design company, the aim should be to develop a website that represents your brand. The initial impression carries significant weight and will either entice or drive away visitors.
If your website looks like countless others on the internet, using generic templates, you will never make a lasting impression on the viewer. The homepage of your website is crucial, as it can determine the success of your entire site. Make sure it is exceptional enough to captivate the viewer’s interest.
It is highly disheartening for a visitor to encounter a poorly designed website, as they anticipate a seamless navigation experience without any visual or other hindrances to easily navigate through from Point A to Point B.
Having clutter on your website can be a major negative, causing visitors to be driven away from your competitors. The best approach is to opt for a simple, user-friendly, and clean website design that avoids unnecessary frills and decorations.
The showcasing of products and services should be done effectively.
Many small business web designs fail to effectively display their products or become cluttered by showing too many products and services on a single page. It is crucial to remember that you have only a few seconds to captivate or disappoint potential customers.
In order to create a professional first impression, it is crucial for companies selling products online to ensure that their product photos, images, and descriptions are sharp and suitable. Even if your website design is outstanding, if your products are not showcased effectively, potential customers may hesitate to make a purchase.
9. Keep contact information above the fold
When designing a small business website, it is crucial to have your contact information displayed prominently on the site, specifically above the fold. Above the fold refers to the visible area of your website that users see upon entering without having to scroll.
To facilitate contact with potential customers and potentially increase conversion rates, it is important to have easily accessible contact information on your website. This information should include your business name, address, phone number, email address, and social media links. Placing this information at the top of your website ensures that it is immediately visible without the need to scroll, making it convenient for visitors to reach out to you.
To ensure that users can easily find your phone number, email address, and physical address without the need to scroll down, it is recommended to place this information at the top of your homepage.
10. Use white space
A further suggestion for designing small business websites is to utilize white space, which refers to the vacant areas on your web pages without text, images, or other elements.
Using white space on your website, which may seem counterintuitive, can actually be very beneficial. It can help in creating a more visually appealing and user-friendly website by enhancing the readability and navigation of your content.
White space can be used to highlight specific areas of a website, such as call-to-action buttons or contact information. When designing a website for small businesses, it is often beneficial to keep it simple. By incorporating ample white space, the website will have a clean and uncluttered appearance, making it user-friendly and easy to navigate.
11. Ensure fast page speeds
In the fast-paced world of today, individuals have little tolerance for websites that load slowly. If your website takes a significant amount of time to load, users are inclined to navigate away and search for a quicker alternative. This not only leads to a loss of traffic and potential customers but also has the potential to adversely affect your search engine ranking.
It is crucial to ensure that your small business website loads quickly, regardless of its type. Search engines such as Google consider page speed when determining the ranking of websites. Therefore, having a fast site can determine whether your website appears on the first page of search results or gets hidden in the depths of the search results.
In order to achieve quick page speeds and maintain the interest of your website visitors, it is crucial to optimize your website for speed. Several critical elements to take into account are the size and quality of images, the quantity of plugins employed, and the selection of your hosting provider.
In order to systematically address any possible issues and promptly resolve them, it is important to consistently monitor and test the speed of your webpage.
Deloitte and 55 conducted a study to examine how page speed affects conversion rates. The study found that a mere 0.1-second enhancement in load times led to an increase in conversion rate. Specifically, retail websites experienced an 8.4% rise in conversion, while travel websites saw a 10% increase.
12. Incorporate CTAs
For small businesses, it is crucial to possess a website that not only appears visually appealing but also yields favorable outcomes. A highly effective technique to achieve this is by integrating impactful calls-to-action (CTAs) across your site. CTAs, in the form of buttons or links, motivate users to undertake specific actions, such as subscribing to a newsletter, obtaining a resource, or completing a purchase.
To create effective CTAs for small business websites, there are several tips you can consider. These include using clear and compelling language, placing the CTAs above the fold to enhance visibility, and conducting tests to determine the most effective approach for your audience.
One tip for designing a small business website is to use clear and captivating language for your CTAs. Ensure that your CTA is explicit about the desired user action and incorporates powerful language to motivate them. For instance, instead of using a generic CTA like “click here,” opt for something more precise such as “download our complimentary ebook.”
13. Focus on UX
When it comes to designing websites for small businesses, it is crucial to prioritize user experience (UX). UX relates to the ease and enjoyment of using your website, and it significantly impacts the likelihood of users remaining on your site. Ultimately, the objective of your website is to attract potential customers and facilitate their conversion into loyal customers.
To create a positive user experience for your small business website, there are multiple tips to consider. These include utilizing easily readable fonts, designing for mobile users, and integrating captivating content. Moreover, it is crucial to conduct regular website testing to address any arising issues and ensure proper functionality.
When aiming to optimize your small business website for search engines, it is crucial to take into account both the technical factors and the design elements that will attract your desired audience the most. Concerning the technical aspect, the design of your small business website should concentrate on developing a rapid and user-friendly website that is also responsive.
By adhering to these tips, you have the ability to produce a website that is visually attractive and user-friendly. Additionally, these tips aid in boosting website traffic. Through efficient UX, you are able to engage with a larger audience and encourage repeat visits.
