The digital landscape has changed everything around us. For instance, e-commerce giants like Alibaba and Amazon are changing the way we shop and buy. Amidst this, setting up a small business for success can seem a little daunting. But the digital terrain is also a boon for small businesses- as with the right digital marketing practices, they can reap as much as the big sharks, if not more. And the first step toward digital hygiene is making a good website. A high-quality and responsive website with easy navigation has become a fundamental must in today’s business world. An amazing website can not only bring you potential business leads, but it can market your company in a positive light and bring in a high rate of sales and revenues in the long run. Whether you have your own brick-and-mortar store and looking to get started online or you are running a home-based DIY craft store, the right small business website checklist can make sure that you have got everything you need to create a website that feels and looks professional as well as catchy. This article will discuss the essential checklist for creating a promising website for small businesses.
Essential Small Business Website Checklist:
- A catchy header and logo: Branding is important for every business, and while building your personal brand, the header and the logo have the same effect as the brand’s name. The header and logo of your website should represent your brand’s personality. It shouldn’t be all bells and whistles from 2006 using the age-old “flash” technology. The key to creating a good header is to keep it effective, simple, and clean so that it’s memorable and allows visitors to identify your brand, along with setting the right expectation. You can also be a little creative and quirky about your header and logo but make sure you are not overdoing it.
- An amazing home page: This is the first page your visitors will land upon; hence, it should convey who you are and what you do. Apart from being intriguing enough to capture the attention of your visitors within the first few seconds, the content should be well-designed, look professional, and read well. According to studies, there is a window of 0.05 seconds to capture your visitor’s attention and make them stay on your website. It should also have a crisp description of how your services can help the potential visitor and make them a client.
- The about section and contact info: Visitors would naturally want to learn a bit more about the people behind the company. If you are a small business, the “about section” is especially crucial. This section should naturally highlight the history of the company, who you are, what you offer, the people you employ, their background information, your special achievement records, and how you stand out from the competition. It should also display your contact information- name, address, and map- so that it can guarantee a convenient experience and personalized service for your clients.
- Simple navigation: It allows visitors to quickly find what they are looking for. Apart from fast loading times, a simple and creative navigational design will make your website easy to use, efficient, and intuitive. Simple navigation has proven to offer a better user experience to visitors, leading to higher conversions and increased repeat customers. For instance, you can introduce a horizontal navigation bar with headings and subheadings so that the user can find what they are looking for seamlessly.
- An interesting blog section: Blogs have become a popular feature of websites. You don’t always need exciting and innovative products to start your blog section. In fact, as a crucial small business marketing strategy, start your blog section as means to inform and guide your customers through challenges and offer them value for interacting with your brand. A great blog section will establish your brand’s authority in the industry and greatly impact your brand’s visibility online.
A good website is even more crucial for small businesses as they have a limited budget and less cash for advertising and marketing. But as a small business owner, you should always understand that a good website can help increase exposure and boost your brand’s visibility in the digital landscape. It should be a balance between engagement, marketing, and selling. A good website is an asset that will not only attract potential clients and grow your business’s ROI but also enhance the image of the brand you are trying to create. It should communicate the values of your small business and highlight why one should consider you instead of your competition. From the visual aspects like colors, designs, and imagery to the kind of information you want to portray, follow the above checklist so that you can be guided in the right way.