Is Your Website Harming Your Business?
Opening your small business was an exciting time for you. You studied everything you could find on how to succeed in the world of internet sales and tried to put all you read into action. You put up a website and filled it with content. You set up a way to track your email subscribers, created a short-term marketing plan, joined all the social media sites. You looked forward to the thousands of subscribers you knew you would soon get. The thing is, those customers never materialized beyond a minimal amount. What went wrong? Like many of those new to small businesses, your website may be working against you.
Your Website
You can do everything perfectly when it comes to creating your product or service. You can set up marketing campaigns that rival those created by the big businesses. You can even gain a presence on social media. If your website doesn't draw people in and help them navigate through the sales funnel, any other effort will do little to help your business succeed.
Your website is the first, and sometimes only reflection of you and your business that many people get. It is the only basis they have to determine if you are trustworthy and professional. And so, it's the best way to help them see you are worth taking the time to get to know. You need to make sure it is doing the best job possible. Now is the time to make sure the following things are not occurring.
Website Business Killers
1. Not mobile-friendly. In today's world, you need a website that is appealing regardless of whether it's viewed on a computer, tablet or phone. If your site isn't responsive, you are making it inaccessible to many potential customers.
2. Outdated. When was the last time you checked to make sure your contact information was up-to-date? Have you regularly checked any links you have to make sure they are still working? There is nothing that speaks to a business not caring about whether it has customers or not. They figure that if you don't care, why should they.
3. Not Secure. Has your website been hacked? Is there a way that customers can be assured their information will be safe if they place an order with you? It is important to not only make sure you have security measures in place but also that you let people know what those measures are. Customers want to know their information is safe in your hands.
4. Tough to navigate. How easy is it for visitors to find what they are looking for on your website? Frustration sets in when a visitor can't find the information they are searching for. And when they can't find information, they will likely leave your site without placing an order or even giving you contact information. View each page of your website and ask yourself if it is easy to reach the most relevant pages, anywhere a visitor happens to be.
5. Slow. The world is moving at an ever-increasing pace and people who have to wait for more than a few seconds are likely to go to a different site. Check the load time of every page in your site and take necessary measures to make sure load time is as quick as possible. This may mean fewer graphics or more pages with less content per page.
6. Unappealing. No matter what your small business has to offer if your website is not a pleasing place to visit, people won't stick around to find out what it is you are offering. Harsh colors, incompatible fonts, and messy looking pages all add up to a website that speaks amateur. Is your site appealing to the eye?
Final Thoughts
Look at your website with the same eyes you would view a stranger's website. If you can't do that, have a trusted friend do it for you. Examine the things listed here and look for other ways that your website may be creating confusion or frustration for visitors. You have worked hard to get your small business up and running. Make sure your website is helping you succeed.
