7 Key Ingredients for a Winning Website

Websites are visual tools meaning imagery is essential in captivating a target market. One of the best sources for imagery is photography and images.

The source and placement of photographs is important. Photos should apply to the specific industry of the target audience. Photos should be properly sized and of high quality. Stock photography sites such as Pixabay or Shutterfly offer images in several categories and dimensions. To add a personal touch, use pictures of coworkers during a normal business day.

Imagery stimulates curiosity through a glimpse of how brands and customers can relate. Aim to give a unique pictorial experience that compliments written content. A simple suggestion of images to a web developer helps create the overall flow of a website. Interestingly enough, images inspire clients to inquire more about products and services.

The base of a well-done website is a strong About Us page. This page refers to the company’s overall mission and elaborates on the vision and goals. A business promise or guarantee helps build trust after all. Draw visitors in with a compelling story allowing them to identify with the brand.

Another element to an About Us page is the history of the company. The About Us page serves as a brand’s foundation and is written in an active voice. If unsure on how to accomplish this, use the Five W’s formula to build on. The who, what, when, where and why format is a great place to start.

If content writing is not a strong suite within the company, hire a copywriter to create the story line. Use an interesting biography, timeline, or include statistics relating to the industry. Show off uniqueness by sharing business partner logos or customer profiles. Display character and engage in your own individual way.

Social media is the garnish of today’s marketing strategies. Social media are portals with access to millions of potential consumers having a mix of applications that allow both liking and sharing. Social media provides real time interaction with the rest of the world and also gives users an opportunity to display a brand as an industry expert. At a minimum, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts are popular social networking services across the board. It’s relatively simple to link accounts to a website.

Most web hosting themes offer social media button options. For instance, when using WordPress, simply select a compatible plugin. Choose the best button placement for each website page for maximum impact. Remember to keep social media accounts sizzling with consistent activity. Relevant posts and audience engagement, at least three to four times a week, help gain exposure sending traffic flow to the website.

Customers don’t want to search for information; it simply takes up too much time. Thus a website has to make it easy for users to find the information they need. Placing contact information at the top of each webpage is a good place to start. A visible telephone number and email address prompt initial communication. Also be sure to have location information on your contact us page even if you’re a virtual business.

Present several ways for customers to communicate with the business. Having an omnichannel format shows that customer service is a high priority. Telephone calls still handle a majority of contact center communications. However, instant messengers, chats, emails, and text messaging have gained more usage related to customer inquiries. If these methods are implemented correctly, overall consumer care ratings will improve.

Service levels are key factors in business success. It can directly impact referrals and repeat sales.

To provide prominent news or special promotions to a target market, having an email marketing campaign will spice things up a bit. By having a subscription form, users will be able to submit their contact information to the business. Subscription forms can be embedded on the website and can be customized to fit the business theme.

With tips and tools, followers can discover new ways to effectively achieve their goals. Subscription forms create a swirl of increased interaction and to get visitors to a website. Use the information to offer exclusive membership programs, corporate event invitations or discounts. If you don’t have a form for your website, try an email marketing vendor that’s ready to grow your client list. A subscription form funnels leads to a business in many directions and it’s an opportunity to distribute useful information to consumers.

To have a website that is a cut above the rest, then consider having a resource page with free guides, worksheets or diagrams. Flavorful content can be displayed through blog posts, audio, or videos. Showcase expert knowledge by providing tools that clients can repeatedly refer to. The goal is to build trust. Offer free consultations as taste tests for business suitability.

Connect a scheduling application to a webpage for prospects to meet with a representative and ask questions. It gives users a sense of control and a no-obligation incentive to learn. Freebies are a great appetizer to attracting potential clients. After all, they say the best things in life are free.

Upload files for customers to download on their electronic devices. All products should be digitally created and edited before released. If creating products is not something that can be done internally, get a company who can carefully craft these pieces of content. The goal is to deliver products that solve problems. It must provide a clear formula to take clients from point A to point B.

A survey conducted by Active Media showed that 38% of people will stop engaging with a website if the layout is unattractive. There’s nothing worse than a customer leaving a website due to lack of visibility. Websites want to have an equal ratio of components that provide a captivating and informative experience. Choose a theme that is easy on the eyes and can be easily formatted.

Research available web hosting features and user behavior. If a website needs freshening up, sift through other themes that are a good fit. Eliminate clutter and be sure transitions are smooth. Improving website impressions ensures the theme matches the business industry. Web design gives visitors an invitation to explore so allow them the opportunity to do so.