3 tips for creating an effective business website

Every small-business owner knows that a website is a must-have asset in today's digital economy. However, with so many do-it-yourself tools available to those building their own online presence, it can be difficult to determine what actually makes a website an effective tool for generating traffic and converting leads. 

Read on to learn some of the top features to focus on when building a website to make it a useful resource for both you and your clients:

1) Minimize the loading time
Before a client ever views a site, one of the most important features they interact with is how quickly a page loads. Search Engine Journal has found that on average,users expect a page to load within three seconds or less, and they will navigate away from a site that doesn't.

Utilizing internal links across your own website as well as optimized image formatting can help to cut down on load times. This will also rank your site higher against competitors' sites across search engine results. 

2) Make a clear call to action
Usually found at the bottom of a webpage, a call to action is an interactive button, link, or form that a visitor will engage with. Consider your business objectives — what do you want users to do once they visit your website that will help to accomplish these goals?

If you are looking to generate new leads, one option is to create gated content such as an eBook or webinar. MonsterInsights has found that by incorporating this exclusive content as part of their CTA, business owners can expect conversion rates as high as 45%. By requiring users to supply their name and an email address to access content, you will not only begin to generate a strong list of pre-qualified leads, but you'll also be able to have a better understanding of your audience for future targeting purposes.

An interactive call to action will engage users and help you to generate qualified leads.

3) Improve mobile accessibility
With only 15 seconds to capture a user's attention before they navigate away from your site, Time magazine has stated that the first impression can make or break a business's page. One easily overlooked factor when building an attractive website is considering how it will look when accessed across different devices. Google has found that 87% of consumers use more than one device when accessing the internet. Even though you take the time to create a beautiful page on a computer, broken formatting and flawed navigation on a cell phone will spite all of your efforts. While many site building services allow users to view how their page will appear across various platforms before going live, one useful rule of thumb is to keep your formatting simple and clean to prevent any issues.

There are countless ways to customize your small business's website to further your business objectives. However, a short loading time, a clear CTA and a user-friendly platform across devices can best help you to generate leads online. 

Need additional assistance with your small business? The Law Offices of Donald W. Hudspeth, P.C. assists businesses with corporate matters and various other types of legal concerns. Please call 866-696-2033 or contact the firm online to make an appointment.

Categorised in: Starting a Business in Arizona

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