If you count the hats you wear everyday, what would that number be? Petty large, huh? Of course it is- small business owners are known for being busy. You have a business to manage, an internet presence including social media to maintain, you likely have a number of customers (physical and virtual) to serve, possibly a family with whom to spend quality time, and every now and then you’d like to have some personal time. With all this going on, how can you maintain a productive website? This article will give you five ways to improve your website. They’re so simple, you can start today!
1) Naming techniques
How easy is it for your web visitors to get around your site? Making it easy for clients to navigate your website will help ensure success because visitors will find the information they need. How is this accomplished?
Simple names
Being fancy is great for the runway, but don’t get creative with naming navigational items. If it’s not clear where a link may lead, users aren’t likely to click. Focus on providing names your customers can find and use quickly. For example, use “contact us” rather than “digital Rolodex.”
You are here
Providing a way for customers to know where they are on your site will help them quickly find information on future visits.
Checkup
How well is your site navigation working? Services such as www.usertesting.com can help you answer this question from a user’s perspective. In the meantime, research the keywords and phrases you are using in your website to make sure they are still relevant (see step 3).
2) It’s all about…
What makes a great “about” page? Of course you need to have bio information, your address, contact numbers, and some images, but your bio page serves a larger purpose than this basic information. Your “about” page is where customers go to learn more about your business, get to know the owners, and gain trust. Your “about” page plays an important role in helping potential clients decide if you’re a company they want to do business with. What sorts of information helps make this happen? Your story, credentials, values, and pictures that humanize your business. Whatever feeling you want visitors to walk away with needs to be shown on this page.
3) Fresh content
You know that search engines seek keywords in your website, ranking sites by relevance to these keywords. If you want your site optimized for search engines as well as provide information for your customers, a blog component is your solution.
Updating your blog with new posts each week is an easy way to bring life (and customers) back to your website. Some possible blog topics include: 1) an inside look at (insert your business name), 2) highlight your new “about” page, 3) industry- related trends, 4) answer or address a consumer problem. As you write, invite comments from your readers. Getting to know your customers in this way will provide you with unlimited blogging topics.
4) A Contact Form
When visitors come to your website, you want to be able to begin a relationship with them. Getting information from website visitors that enables you to continue this relationship should be a primary goal. One way to get this info is through your contact form.
Dos and don’ts of a successful contact form:
- Do: Be intuitive.
- Do: Be simple.
- Do: Ask only for basic information
- Don’t: Ask for too much information in one sitting
- Don’t: Intimidate your visitor with long forms or big words
5) Social Media
Do you have profiles on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn? If not, get them. Once you’re set up, make sure your customers know your profile information. Post the info on our website and blog, cross-link these profiles, and use them to create dialogue with your customers. This open conversation develops a trusting relationship that will bring repeat business.
Now that you know the top five quickest ways to improve traffic on your website, it’s time for you to set some goals. Which step will you take today?
