When your business website needs to be refreshed, your first thought may be to hire the ATX designer. That’s a smart move for any sized business but it can also be helpful to understand the critical elements that help websites stand out in all of the right ways. So here’s what you need to know about creating a website that will attract and retain more customers:
A QUALITY WEBSITE STARTS WITH YOUR TECH
Whether you plan on building your own website or hiring a pro (more on this later), having an updated laptop is essential. Sure an older computer will work in a pinch but you will run into continued issues if you are working with an outdated operating system. If you want to get the most for your money, invest in a top-rated machine that has the features and power you need to keep your website up-to-date, and effectively run your small business.
You can find models at various price points, but it may also be worthwhile to time your purchase so that you can score a deal during Cyber Monday sales. Most manufacturers slash prices on their latest tablets and laptops, so you can avoid spending a fortune on new tech.
A PROFESSIONAL WEB DESIGN CAN ALSO HELP
So back to that all-important choice: whether to DIY or hire a pro. Now you could save some money by using a free website builder; however, your design choices are going to be extremely limited. Not to mention that even with these tools you will still be spending hours on your website. As a small business owner, you should know that your time is extremely valuable, but if your budget is tight using a website builder could be the way to go.
That’s why getting website help from experienced design professionals is recommended. You see no matter how consumers reach your website, making sure that they land on a clean and user-friendly is key for boosting brand recognition and legitimacy for your small business. So you don’t want to leave your most powerful business and marketing tool to chance.
SEO WILL HELP FIND YOUR WEBSITE
Ensuring a clean and attractive design for your website is critical to expanding your client list but having that website show up in searches is just as essential. Professional website designers understand the basics of SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, and can include the keywords and content needed to help your new website climb to the top of consumer searches.
Of course, you can also use tools like MOZ’s SEO Learning Center to learn about SEO. Just keep in mind that you will still need to put some time and effort into each step needed to optimize your website for search engines. This includes building better links, increasing visibility via Google searches, and auditing the discoverability of your website, to name a few.
CONTENT IS A POWERFUL MARKETING TOOL
High-quality website content will also help connect you with potential clients and eventually build more meaningful relationships. When you include useful and valuable information on your website, you can further boost your rankings in online searches. As more clients find your website and read through this content, they will also come to regard your business as an authority on related products, services, and information.
If you are working with a website design team, ensuring your website contains useful content will require less effort. Even so, you may still want to look into the added benefits of starting a blog or hiring a freelance writer to create one for you. A blog can be a simple way to add high-value and fresh content to your business website.
Websites are a necessity for businesses of all sizes, so it’s no longer enough to have just a basic one. If you want to build your trust and reputation with potential and existing clients, you need a website that really stands out.
PUBLISHED: October 27, 2020
