Did you know that 90% of online shoppers do not make up their mind about a brand until they see your website first? Shoppers want to feel a connection to your brand before they buy. That’s why it’s so important to have a well-designed website. However, there are 10 common website design mistakes that can make the difference between making a sale and losing a potential customer for good. Here’s what to avoid.
Unless you’ve gone to school for website design, you’ll be better off hiring a web design company to tackle this important project. A web design company has specialized training and experience that you can utilize to get exactly what you’re looking for. They can even let you know what works and what doesn’t. A web design company might also offer search engine optimization services, digital marketing, and social media management that can help your business succeed.
Nothing scares away a potential customer quicker than a confusing website. A customer should be able to tell what your brand is about from a single glance. Pick a theme and stick to it. The images, colors, logo, and typeface should be cohesive and send a clear message. Make sure you have a clear picture of what you want your brand image to be before you choose what the website will look like.
Just as a confusing website can scare away customers, a boring one can be just as big a turn-off. If your site has too much white space, few or no images, and little content, you could leave people wondering what you offer or why they should buy from you.
On the flipside of a boring website is one that’s too busy. Too many images, colors, and too much text can overwhelm your customers and cause them to go elsewhere. Too much content can also cause your site to load more slowly — another thing potential customers hate. Streamline your design so that you strike the right balance.
Before you design a website, you should know your target audience. Do you cater to trendy customers, professionals, a younger demographic, or an older customer base? The way your website is designed can speak to each type of person differently. Don’t try to be everything and for everyone — go with what attracts your key demographic.
Nothing is more frustrating to a potential customer than a website that isn’t user friendly. No one wants to waste time searching for what they want. Your navigation menu and search bar should be easy to find.
Large blocks of text can seem daunting on a website. People want short, digestible chunks of text when it comes to online reading. They also don’t want little or no text, so you need to find the right balance. Content, such as a blog, can enhance your site, but provide a link on the homepage rather than posting the entire text there.
You want people to know what you want them to do when they visit your website, so don’t forget to add a call to action. A call to action can include text that leads customers to learn more about your product, clip a coupon, or even to “click here.”
Potential customers expect you to be accessible when they visit your website. Don’t forget to include enough contact information that’s easy to find. You can include it at the end of every page or have a “Contact Us” page.
While ads are necessary, make sure you don’t have too many on your website. Ads also shouldn’t be too obtrusive or annoying. If they are, people will leave your website just as they would walk away from a hovering sales associate in a brick and mortar store.
Creating a website for your business is an important step. It can attract more customers, generate additional income, and give you an online presence. For more tips, rely on South Made Marketing today.
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