Turn on your website’s potential. Let’s Make It Your Hardest-Working Employee
If you’re reading this, I’m guessing you already have a website (yes!), but perhaps you’re wondering if it’s really pulling its weight in the profit department (is it?). As a web designer with over a decade of experience crafting WordPress sites, I’ve seen it all – from barely-there landing pages to slick e-commerce empires. I compiled a checklist to help you make your website work as hard as you do.
1. First Impressions Matter: Your Website Is Your Digital Shopfront
Imagine walking into a boutique where the lighting is terrible, the layout is confusing, and nobody greets you. Odds are you’d hightail it out of there, right? Your website works the same way. A clean design, intuitive navigation, and a clear call to action (or CTA, if we’re going to be super technical about it) make all the difference. Ask yourself:
- Does my site load quickly? (Slow websites are like making your customers queue—nobody loves that.)
- Is my branding consistent?
- Do visitors know within seconds what I’m offering?
If your answer to any of these is “not sure,” it might be time for a make over. Think of it like giving your website a fresh coat of paint or a nice shade of lipstick. You get the point.
2. Content Is Queen (And Yes, She Rules)
Your website needs to tell your story—and not a bedtime story that puts visitors to sleep.
- Write for your audience, not yourself. Write this on a Post-It note and stick it where you can see it every day. Please. Skip the industry jargon and speak their language. If you sell eco-friendly candles, talk about creating cosy, sustainable moments, not “sustainability-driven wax density ratios.”
- Update regularly. A blog or news section can position you as an expert while boosting your SEO (a win-win!). Just don’t start a blog and abandon it after two posts. That’s like opening a café and forgetting to restock the coffee. I know it’s hard, I’m just as guilty as you are – but there are tools to help you (I’ll share my favourite ones in another post).
3. Mobile Matters—Like, A Lot
Here’s a fun fact: Over half of web traffic comes from mobile devices. If your site isn’t optimised for phones and tablets, you’re waving goodbye to potential customers. Your site should be:
- Easy to navigate with fingers (not just a mouse).
- Quick to load, even on dodgy Wi-Fi (for those where I live, TIA… if you know, you know).
- Free of annoying pop-ups that cover the entire screen (seriously, nobody likes those.)
4. Show Me the (Online) Money: Optimising for Conversions
Having visitors is nice, but turning them into paying customers is the goal. Here’s how to nudge them along:
- Simplify the checkout process. If you sell products or services online, your cart should be easy to use and secure. Avoid making customers jump through hoops.
- Use compelling CTAs. Think “Get Your Free Quote Today” rather than the bland “Submit.”
- Highlight testimonials and reviews. Social proof works wonders—people trust people.
5. SEO: Your Invisible Sales Assistant
Search Engine Optimisation sounds like a chore, but it’s essentially helping Google help you. Basic SEO steps include:
- Using keywords your customers are actually searching for (hint: “Buy comfy office chair” beats “Ergonomic lumbar support seating solution”).
- Writing meta descriptions for your pages.
- Making sure your images are named sensibly (e.g. “blue-running-shoes.jpg” instead of “IMG12345.jpg”).
6. Analyse, Adjust, Repeat
Your website isn’t a “set it and forget it” kind of deal. Write that on a Post-It too. Use tools like Google Analytics to see what’s working and what’s not. For instance:
- Where are visitors clicking away from your site?
- Which pages are most popular?
- Are people clicking your CTAs?
Make adjustments based on the data. Think of it like tweaking your recipe until you’ve baked the perfect cake.
7. Get Help When You Need It
Let’s face it: You’re a business owner, not a web designer (unless you’re moonlighting, in which case, jolly marvelous!). If your website is giving you a headache, don’t be afraid to call in the pros. Whether it’s a designer (like yours truly) or a content strategist, the right help can save you time and money in the long run.
With a bit of polish and a sprinkle of strategy, your site can become your business’s MVP (most valuable player—not to be confused with a minimum viable product, but that’s another blog post).
Have questions? Drop them in an email to me, or better yet, let’s chat about how I can help you make your website dreams a reality. I’m off to buy more Post-Its.