Everyone always tells us that we must have a website. They usually follow this statement up with a clever quote such as “not having a website is like opening a business and not telling anyone”. Are they right? We tend to agree. However, building a website is not enough. There are many ways you can utilize your website to give you actionable results. Here are a few ways to use your website design to your advantage:
1. Tell your story.
Every website should contain a section or page where viewers can learn more about who you are. Story is important, it gives potential customers an idea of who you are, what you stand for and gives them a sense of who they would be supporting should they use your service or buy your product on your business website.
2. Create an impression.
Customers spend a lot of time online and are often greeted with a “sea of sameness”. Meaning, wherever they go online, website designs look similar, the story looks generic, the colours and layout are often too similar. Think of what you can do to make a lasting impression so that when they are making their buying decisions, your website or web design is the one they remember. Make a lasting impression.
3. Sell your service or product.
Before visiting a physical store, most of us begin our search online to compare pricing and do research. This is called the consideration phase in the sales funnel. You can use your website to clearly display your value proposition and make it easier for them to take action on your website. This is called a “call-to-action”.
The process should be as easy as possible to get your prosepective client to follow through. When mapping out your user experience, think of your own experiences when visiting a website, what made you convert into a customer. A good website developer or designer will be able to assist you with this.
4. Capture leads.
Having a website is a great way to capture leads online or online enquiries. We have already discussed having a good call-to-action in place along with a good user experience. Make it easy for your customers to be able to submit a form, find your contact page, or use a live chat function to immediately engage with you.
It is equally as important to make sure that you respond to these enquiries and messages as fast as possible. People expect the same level of service from the small business on the corner as what they do from the big corporation with branches all around the world.
5. Get phone calls.
Get phone calls from customers who are ready-to-buy. Make sure you have a clear clickable phone number on your website at the top and again at the bottom of the page. And of course, make sure you have all your contact information on your contact or quote pages. It will also be in your best interest to add a google map embedded on your website to show where you are situated. This is good for the customer having trust in you, as well as for your SEO (Search Engine Optimization).
6. Show happy customer reviews.
A website a great place to display reviews and testimonials from happy clients. You can do this manually by adding in reviews but ideally you want to use a review plugin or reviews feed from your Google or Facebook reviews. This shows legitimate reviews placed by your customers on trusted platforms and makes customers feel more comfortable using your services.
7. Capture actionable data.
There are various forms plugins or third party options that could allow you to capture information or perform surveys that can be turned into actionable data. Use your website to gain insights into peoples buying behaviours, needs, preferences, product questions and more.
In conclusing, your website can be a swiss army knife for your business. From telling your story and closing deals, to capturing useful information and data that can assist you in streamlining your business operations and provide better services to your customers and prospects.