Creating a website is often the first place that businesses start to build their online presence. A web site an invaluable marketing tool, but you do need to design strategically. We understand the world wide web and its infinite opportunities can seem daunting, so let’s keep it simple. Here are the essential website ingredients that can help you achieve your business goals.
Figuring out essential website ingredients
The perfect website will marry your business goals with the needs of your customers. It should be a bit of tit for tat; you scratch their backs, they’ll scratch yours. Before we can start to design and organize your website, we’ll need to:
- Understand your ideal clients
- Understand your business goals
Understanding your ideal clients
If you’re going to design a website that speaks to your ideal clients and provides them with the resources and information they are looking for, we need to know who they are, how they think, and what they are searching for.
Understanding your clients will help you find the right tone and communication style for your site. Knowing why your clients might need your services can help you figure out what type of content to include. Think like your clients. If you were a client looking for your products and services, what would you be searching for online? What terminology would you use?
Knowing the language and terminology your clients use is crucial. One of the biggest mistakes business owners make online is to talk in industry jargon. Remember that most of your clients aren’t experts, so take a minute to familiarize yourself with how your clients refer to your business so that you can speak to them in their language, not your industry insider language.
Now, let’s look at how your website can help you achieve your business goals. As we said, this is not a one-sided relationship.
Classic business goals
Let’s go through a few classic business goals and what types of essential website ingredients to include to help you achieve those goals. You’ll be amazed at how simple they are, yet, oh, so effective.
Reaching a larger audience is a classic business goal that most businesses will have on their list. Simply having a website will automatically open the door to many more clients. With a website, all of a sudden, you become much more accessible.
Getting more clients to walk through your door is another common goal. When customers find you online and like what you’re selling, the next obvious question is how to find you. Be sure to include an address, map, and driving directions.
If you’re waiting for that phone to ring? You guessed it. Put your phone number on every webpage!
Connecting with customers and building a larger client base is something many clients want. Building connections with customers leads to loyalty, trust, and referrals. Include a way for customers to ask questions or leave reviews. Be sure to advertise other reviews and testimonials. Finally, your about page is a wonderful tool to connect with clients and tell them your story.
See, it’s that simple. Of course, there are many other elements and ingredients to a dynamic website, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. We can walk you through it, organize your site, simplify the user experience, and helping you achieve your business goals by including the essential website ingredients that are right for your site.
