Technology is a strong piece of our world’s culture, and your business should always have an online presence. The internet played a large part in leveling the playing field for small business, and your online presence is a mighty marketing tool.
To begin building a visible presence online, you must first design a well-built business website. Here are a few of the most important pieces of design you should include in your first build.
Learn everything you can about SEO
Before you begin accruing content for your website, learn everything you can about Search Engine Optimization. SEO will teach you a lot about how the internet works, and more importantly, it will teach you how the search engines work.
Once you understand what the search engines are looking to find when a web user enters a search, you can design your site’s contents to make the Google search bots smile (figuratively speaking).
Optimize your business website for mobile access
Once you have gathered some information regarding SEO, you will be better equipped optimize your web design for mobile access. It is now more common for people to access the internet through the use of their many different mobile devices, rather than using a personal computer or laptop.
Your business website should reflect this shift in web culture. If your mobile users have to pinch and swipe to see and interact with elements of your design, then you are not mobile compatible. Research what it takes to optimize your website for mobile access, and your views will rise.
Encourage communication throughout the design
Communication is a vital component of business and of life. You need communication to get things done, and it takes more than just adding a “Contact Us” page to your website design.
Encourage communication throughout the design of your business website. Check out how this example page engages web users and encourages visitors to grab an estimate or make a phone call.
Integrate social media into the design
Social media offers the chance for free marketing. If you can get people to share your content on their personal social media profiles, your proverbial foot is in the door. All it takes is one person to share a piece of your content for many more eyes to set their sights.
Social media share buttons are free, and it isn’t difficult to add them to your design. Make sure sharing buttons are present all throughout the design of your site. You never know which part of your site will make the most impact on an individual visitor.
Navigation should be easy to understand
Make sure that navigating your business website design makes sense. The easiest way to setup simple navigation is to add a stationary navigation bar across the top or down the side of your site.