In the business world, presentation is everything. In the online realm, your website is your business. If your website contains outdated aesthetics and poor functionality, potential customers will go elsewhere.
Like everything with technology, web design doesn’t stand still. Trends are constantly changing and evolving and if your site is even a few years old, then it’s highly likely that your site requires more than just a dab of digital botox.
As the saying goes, ‘you only get one chance to make a good first impression’ and if would-be clients hit the eject button on your site the first time around, chances are they won’t think anything better of it the second time – if they do somehow manage to wind up back there again. No matter what industry you happen to be in now, competition is fierce and businesses need everything they can to gain the upper hand.
Here are 10 signs you might need for a New Website.
As the name suggests, responsive websites are able to detect the type of device a visitor to your site is using and ‘respond’ by displaying a version of the website that is best suited to their configuration. With so many people now accessing the web using a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet, it’s essential that your site is able to display a version that is optimised specifically for their device.
There are many factors that determine search engine rankings for keyword phrases and one of these is most certainly the evidence or lack of a responsive site. Websites that aren’t responsive are not user friendly for those accessing the site on a mobile device and such sites are penalised accordingly.
The speed of your site is another factor that determines rankings, and affects sales. In a digital age that offers access to increasingly faster internet connections, visitors expect web pages to load instantly. They have very little patience for substandard load times which quickly leads to frustration and ultimately results in them departing your site. If your site is particularly slow, perhaps it’s also time to upgrade your web hosting.
The focus and direction of a business can change over time and it’s important that your website is able to clearly demonstrate to visitors, your company’s current position, purpose and core principles. If it doesn’t, then it’s time for an upgrade.
When a visitor enters your site, they need to be able to quickly locate your major products and services. If they can’t, then it’ll once again create frustration and may result in them leaving your site. At the very least, it will tarnish their experience and make the job of winning them over that much harder.
It’s not a question of who uses social media, it’s a question of who doesn’t use social media these days. Social media platforms are an excellent way to communicate with existing customers, gain new ones and cultivate an unending interest in your products and services. It’s imperative that your website is taking advantage of social media.
Your contact forms are the gateways to your customers. Contact forms and links to your contact forms should be omnipresent throughout your website. If they’re not, then your chances of securing valuable business is suffering.
The great thing about Content Management Systems such as WordPress is that they make editing websites such as those for Elite RV, and updating your website an absolute breeze. These days, you no longer need to be a WordPress web developer or possess even a shred of high-level technical ability to make changes to your site. However, if your website is still operating on some prehistoric dinosaur platform that requires significant time and patience to make even the most minor alterations, then it’s time to upgrade. If it’s costing you time, it’s costing you money.
The use of mobile devices has fundamentally changed the way users interact with your site. Scrolling on a tablet or smartphone feels natural to users, so web designers no longer have to feel compelled to display all of their content at the very top of the web page. Mobile users are quite happy to scroll down and view elements further down the page.
Technology has a very short life span. What looked and felt new and exciting a few years ago, may now appear dull and depressing. Remember that visitors typically won’t just visit a single website before making a decision. If they visit your site, it’s very likely that they’re also visiting multiple other competitor sites, as well. If your website doesn’t measure up, then you’re going to be facing an even bigger challenge to secure their business.
SEO Web Logistics has put together a 30 page booklet called Your Gold Coast Marketing Guide 2022 (COVID edition), which is full of marketing ideas, explanations and insights. We know COVID has been tough on many local businesses and hopefully our booklet can provide your business with some marketing inspiration!
