Not too long ago, all a small business needed to focus on was making/offering a high-quality product or service, and they were likely to experience success. However, these days, you are not only competing with local businesses; you are competing with businesses all around the world. That’s why it’s critical to prioritize making your website stand out among the crowd.
Employing the services of a trusted digital agency like Magento is a great place to start. But no matter who you work with, it’s important that you understand some of the factors that go into creating a top-notch small business website. Here are five of them:
1. Money
Creating a great website or making significant upgrades to your current site will require you to invest. If your business budget is tight at the moment, then you might need to look into your options with financial assistance.
Fortunately, there are a number of loans, grants, and programs to consider. For example, the Small Business Administration (SBA) offers traditional loans and express bridge loans, among others. And there are also plenty of private institutions and businesses that are currently offering relief programs to small businesses during the pandemic.
2. Audience
Figuring out your target audience is a fundamental step in creating a great website. If you try to appeal to everyone, you will likely appeal to fewer people than if you focus on a target audience. Consider the products or services that you offer, and that will give you a good idea of who your audience should be. Then, you will have a better understanding of what kind of content will interest those who visit your website.
3. SEO
Search engine optimization (SEO) is another critical part of website development, because it plays a major role and how much traffic is driven to your site. In particular, Google My Business is a feature that you want to prioritize. Not only do 48% of online shoppers turn to Google for business recommendations and reviews, but 60% of smartphone users contact businesses directly through the My Business directory. Make sure all of your contact information is correct on your online directories and website, and take any steps necessary to improve your local search ranks.
4. Page Load
How often do you stick around on a website that is slow to load? And how likely are you to return to that site? Every page on your website should have a great load speed. Choosing a top-notch web host with fast servers, limiting the number of images and videos on your site, and using the smallest possible size for your images are all ways that you can ensure that your web pages load efficiently.
5. Layout
Then there’s the layout, which refers to the overall organization of your website elements. Think clean and minimal clutter. Organize all of your text, icons, buttons, images, and other content so that your site is as easy to navigate as possible. Remember: Visiting your website should be an enjoyable experience, and it should be easy to buy a product and/or find out more information about your company.
Creating and maintaining a high-quality website is essential for small business success in this day and age. Remember to work with a qualified agency like Magento when developing your website and determining how to drive traffic to your site. Ensure that you have the funding necessary, figure out who your target audience is, and take advantage of SEO. Lastly, prioritize a fast page load speed and clean layout. There’s a lot to it, but there’s no limit to how much your small business can benefit from having an outstanding website.
