For small businesses, it’s vital to have a website that attracts prospects.
COVID-19 forced a stampede of business transactions online. Because the transition was so sudden, many business owners were caught unprepared to handle its impact on their own websites. The buying process has radically changed and for those who were ready, there were opportunities for skyrocketing profits.
For those of you still struggling with the “new reality,” it’s time to analyze what’s not working.
What major factors are essential to your online success? As you read, pick the facts that ring true.
Design
Did you know that:
- 94% of negative feedback on a website is related to design.
- 75% of a website’s credibility depends on design.
- Design includes content and graphics. If text content is too long, 30% of users will switch devices and 38% will stop visiting the site.
Lesson: You’re more likely to meet your business goals if you value creativity. That means updating your site to adjust to changing visitor perceptions.
Performance
Visitors are more savvy than business owners when it comes to…
- How fast pages load. More than half of website visitors are mobile users and they will leave a site if it loads in more than 3 seconds.
- How navigation affects sales. When visitors can’t find content in 2-3 clicks, sales evaporate.
- Why a missing Contact form causes visitors to abandon a site.
- Why a missing call to action short circuits sales.
Lesson: Site speed is critical to keeping visitors on your site and should be analyzed regularly. Likewise, evaluation and testing of site links and feedback is vital to maintaining sales.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
It is estimated that 50% of small business owners are limiting their websites’ visibility because they only have a basic understanding of SEO. They don’t understand that:
- 93% of online experiences begin with a search engine.
- 80% of consumers do product research online via search
- 51% of people discover a new company by using a search engine.
Lesson: If you’re not there, they can’t find you.
Security
Often security isn’t given priority until there’s a breach. Don’t kid yourself—no one is safe anymore. Smaller websites are more vulnerable than ever to malware and hacking.
- When was the last time you talked with your hosting service about their security measures?
- When was the last time you updated plug-ins if you have a WordPress-based site?
- When was the last time your site crashed? How did your hosting service react? Was your customer service experience acceptable?
Lesson: Security breaches aren’t just frustrating. They can result in lawsuits, fines, and irreparable damage to your business reputation.
Mobile Friendliness
- 91% of small businesses are mobile-optimized.
- 48% of visitors believe companies that don’t have mobile friendly websites don’t care.
- 40% of online transactions are done via a mobile device.
Lesson: The visitor landscape has changed dramatically with the addition of mobile devices. Your website must be mobile-responsive to tap into this huge new marketplace of customers.
Next Step
Are you been thinking about how to improve your website? Good for you! Are any of my ideas worth pursuing? Then let’s talk! Call (414) 771-8906 or email nancy@cavanaughinteractive.biz to set up a 30-minute meeting. Don’t delay! The website you save may be your own!