Is your web design working to lead your customers to information, or, are they getting lost in a web of confusion?
An effective website design can be a powerful tool to enhance your business, gain followers, build brand awareness, and provide information. However, all too often organizations invest money to have a website designed aesthetically but not functionally. If your website is only serving as a business card, you’re under utilizing one of your greatest marketing resources.
Good Web Design is More Than Looking Pretty
Website design isn’t just about making the website look shiny, but also making sure the content of the website directs visitors to do something. You can have the world’s greatest designer, but if they have no understanding of how people use websites and how websites can be used to improve conversions (whether it’s purchases, subscriptions, donations, community involvement, signups, etc, etc.) your investment is not meeting its fullest potential.
Websites Are Not Just For Online Retailers
Just because you don’t sell things on your website, doesn’t mean you don’t generate business online. Eighty-one percent of consumers research products online before making a purchase. Fifty-percent of smartphone and 34 percent of tablet and computer users who searched for local businesses online made a same-day visit to a brick-and-mortar store.
From Entrepreneur.com’s article, “Why you need a website“,
One of the great things about the internet is that it has leveled the playing field when it comes to competing with the big boys. As mentioned, you have one shot at making a good first impression. With a well-designed site, your little operation can project the image and professionalism of a much larger company.
If you have the time to read the whole article, I highly suggest doing so. It’s very enlightening as to how a website can enhance your business and why it’s important to have a professionally designed website.
The Three Simple Steps of More Effective Web Design
With all of this in mind, here are three very simple steps you can follow to improve the effectiveness of any website — and you don’t even have to be a web designer to do it!
- Think about whether important information is readily accessible.
- Make sure your website’s content is geared towards a central action whether it’s buying a product, visiting your storefront, becoming a member, donating, or getting involved.
- Make it clear HOW your visitors can take the actionable step and eliminate as many stop-actions as possible. A stop-action is any obstacle which stops your visitors from following through on the action.
Good Web Designers
A good web designer will make sure your site is both functionally effective and visually pleasing. One of the first questions we ask our prospective clients is: “What do you want your website to do?” If they don’t have an answer, we help them find one. Every website should have an overarching purpose. Every page should have its own purpose. But more on that in another article!
If you’d like to discuss how Pure Light Studios can improve your business’ online presence, we’d be happy to talk! Connect with us via our contact page.
You can also reach us on Facebook by clicking here!
Leave a Reply