How to Make Your Small Business Website Really, Really Effective
Most small business owners today know that they need a website. But what many fail to realize is that their websites need to be more effective.
A website is meant to attract consumers to your business. But what do those consumers do once they land on your website? Maybe they give you a call or pop into your bricks-and-mortar location some time. And, sure, that’s all fine and dandy. But even better than that, your website itself can actually generate leads and sales for you with just a few simple tweaks.
Here's how to do it
First, you need to make your website look good. A professional-looking website makes a great first impression, encourages users to stay on your website longer and presents your business as an industry leader. In fact, according to Adobe, 38 percent of people in one study said they would stop engaging with a website if the content/layout was unattractive.
Look at the example below. The website on the left is cluttered and appears dated. But the website on the left is sleek and modern.
Don’t worry though; you don’t have to spend a bunch of money on a web designer to give your small business site a makeover. If you run your site on WordPress, you can choose from thousands of free and for-fee themes that will give your website a professional look in an instant.
Make it easy to contact you
Many small businesses simply list their address, phone number and email on their website. But, you’ve got to make it easy for your potential customers to contact you. Many would rather not pick up the phone and call you to ask a simple question. In fact, in a survey by BankMyCell, 75 percent of millennials surveyed said they avoided phone calls because they’re time-consuming.
So, make it easy for them by adding a simple contact form to your website. With a contact form on your website, you’ll be able to generate more leads for your business by giving your website visitors a convenient way to get in touch.
Consumers also want to be able to get information before making a purchase — and when it’s convenient for them. So, consider adding a chatbot to your website too. A chatbot will be available to answer users’ questions 24/7, even when you’re not around.
Add Social Proof
To encourage your website visitors to pick your business over a competitor’s, add social proof to your website. The term was coined by Robert Cialdini in his 1984 book, Influence. It describes a “psychological and social phenomenon wherein people copy the actions of others in an attempt to undertake behavior in a given situation.” In other words, if you show off your happy customers and clients to the world, website visitors will be more likely to want to become your customers too. Here’s some ways we can help you.
Amazon does this well by showing customer reviews on all of the products sold on its website. Check out our home page for more ideas or go to our contact page to get in touch.
