Here are a number of elements that help create a successful website. No longer is a website considered a digital business card but rather a highly valued asset to your business which can provide you with an endless stream of prequalified customers and clients. When constructed correctly, your website can increase your revenue and generate new methods of business income streams.
As stated in an article by Network Solutions:
Websites work. No matter what your business or profession, a website can generate business, promote goodwill among customers and prospects, and deliver strong marketing messages – whether your business is small, large or in-between, well-established or brand-new.
People use the Web in greater and greater numbers, more and more every day. Even if you are a completely local small business, service, contractor or consultant, odds are people have used search engines to look for your web site – and if you don’t have a web site… well, you get the picture.
But the big question is – What do you need to have on your website to bring in customers? Ultimately, it will depend on the goals you have set for your website as to what content and elements you employ. There are so many factors to consider and, as such, a complete digital strategy will help design a plan for your website. In the meantime, I have put together a checklist of different elements you should consider having on your homepage. These elements will encourage dwell times (visitors staying and looking on your site) and encourage them to take action (eg sign up for a free offer, receive a customised report, or contact your business).
18 Checklist to Boost Sales While Spending less On Advertising
Logo – use a quality logo that has been designed to fit on your website.
Name, Address & Phone Number – Ensure that your business name, address (if you have a physical location) and phone number can be easily found at the to top of your website and the bottom.
Social Links – Add your social links on your homepage to make it easy for customers to find you on the various social platforms you are on.
User-Friendly Navigation – Create a menu that is easy to understand and follow so your visitors can find what they are searching for.
Above The Fold – When you first click on a website you usually see an image with a menu, logo and some text. You will then scroll down to see the rest of the site. This section of the website, before you scroll down, is called above the fold. This section needs to grab the attention of your visitor and as such need to incorporate a number of elements.
- An image that evokes emotion. Usually will have people in it.
- A value proposition title. On your image, you should have a title that shows how you provide value or how you resolve their problem.
- A valuable call-to-action. A call-to-action encourages your visitor to do “something”. They may call you, provide their email, or fill out a contact form.
Title – Your title should be in the main “hero image” (header image). The title is also called a Value Proposition Statement. Your Value Proposition Statement defines a pain point that your visitor relates and how you have a solution to that pain point.
Use Meaningful Graphs – If your site requires a graph, make sure it is simple and easy to understand the point.
Summary of Products and Services – Use your homepage to provide a summary of what you offer. This will keep your visitors on your page longer and direct them to the correct area.
Visible Calls-To-Action – You need to provide clear instructions of what you would like your visitors to do.
Testimonials/Social Proof – To support your credibility use testimonials or social proof to demonstrate how your product/service helped your previous customers.
Trust Badges – If you provide guarantees, warranties or require payment online, use trust badges to clearly represent this. Visitors will know at a glance that they are protected.
Use of White Space – When you design a web page you need to consider the white space behind the content and images that are used. White space helps draw the eye to elements on your page. If a page feels cluttered and jumbled then the visitor is more likely to exit the page rather than try and read through the mess.
Opt In/Newsletter – Provide value to your visitors. Create a free PDF or eBook that visitors would be willing to exchange their email address for. They receive value whilst you build your email list.
Images – When using the power of imagery, don’t skimp. Use images that evoke emotion. Try to use images that include people to help the viewer picture themselves in the image and hence make a connection.
Content – Provide informative content rich with keywords. When writing authentic content keywords come naturally and organically. Write content that is useful to your prospective customers.
SSL – Ensure you have a SSL Certificate installed on your site (Secure Sockets Layer). SSL is a secure protocol developed for sending information securely over the Internet.
Website Speed – One of the key factors for conversions is website speed. If your website takes too long to load (usually more than three seconds) your visitors will soon disappear. No one has the patience to wait for a website to load.
AMP – We are all familiar with ensuring that your website is mobile responsive but what about AMP (Accerlated Mobile Pages). This simply means that the pages load quickly on mobile devices. Search Engines, like Google, have identified the rapid use of mobile phones and searches and have included this as a factor in their mobile algorithm.