All businesses want their website to be the preferred and to look and feel the best. Did you know that how you go about design and hosting decisions can make all the difference?
Yes, gentle people, it is these choices that support ongoing client advocacy and long-term success for your business.
Let’s look at a few website features always appearing on the most wanted list.
1. Make it Friendly
Simple, straight forward, fast, and clear. These components of good web design are the holy grail for users but can be elusive if not looked at from the viewpoint of the client.
There’s nothing quite as annoying than having to spend valuable time looking for a page that should be easily accessible, or product information whose page link doesn’t work. Yikes!
Easier flow to other pages creates more accessible content. It must be priority if people are to come back. After all, one visitor does not a successful website make.
Just as crucial is having a fast enough website to keep up with the demands of what your clients need.
We are all time hungry, and a slow site will frustrate potential buyers and, without too much notice, will have your competitors reaping your lost rewards.
Friendly on the eyes, easy going, and not a time waster. Kinda sounds like a dating app profile, doesn’t it?
With an easy-to-use website your site will tell them all they need to know. Who knows where this may lead.
We’re so happy for you two.
2. Tell a Story on Your Website
Got something to say? Now’s your chance. People want a connection or at least feel like they know a little bit about your business and how you feel about the products or services on offer.
Whether it’s your blog or product descriptions with a twist, content is king.
Make it funny, informative, helpful, interesting, or even a little controversial. Standing out gives you a chance to make an impression.
One that lasts.
3. Make it Secure
Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf? Well, most of us.
We’ve all experienced those sites. That the little voice in our head warns us that this one seems dodgy. There’s something about it, something a bit less easy to recognize these days as the bad guys are getting more and more advanced in their nasty ways.
Providing a secure site will lessen client concerns about online safety.
Make sure you have the infrastructure in place via an SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificate to safeguard your purchaser’s information, and be sure to tell them how you protect their privacy.
Two very important things for online shoppers: security and privacy.
4. Ask Them How You’re Doing
Keeping it real means never having to feel compelled to say you’re sorry without ever knowing what you did wrong or how it got that way. Make it clear you are happy to receive feedback on products, ordering and customer service. This will save you a headache later because issues can be called out to you so you can fix them before they become a bigger ordeal.
A lot can be gained from analysing your client’s experiences. They may pinpoint issues with the website speed, confusing or incorrect content and even throw a spotlight on deeper and more subtle issues you would never have realized were there.
We know what you’re thinking. It takes some kind of daredevil mindset to invite that kind of trouble, right?
Yes, it does, but the trust you build will be game-changing. And you’ll only receive feedback from customers ready to give it to you. Could it really be that bad?
5. Bring It All In
Clear calls to action make life easier for everyone. As the website owner, you know that you are directing the client clearly to Buy Now, Sign Up for Our Newsletter, Enjoy Our Special Offer, and your potential customers don’t have to search for what should be obvious and right at their fingertips. That’s right. Stop using buttons that say “Go, Learn More” and “Start”, for example.
How Do We Achieve All This?
You can have an amazing website that satisfies all these conditions. But without the right web hosting it will all be for nothing. Hard to believe, isn’t it? Well, it’s true. Pages are abandoned if they don’t load fast enough for your visitor’s fancy. So if you want people to stay, give them what they want, and fast!
Partnering with a web host that understands what it takes to achieve your goals is invaluable.
If you’re not sure how a hosting company handles your site’s speed when it counts, just ask them if you can upgrade your plan to get more page speed. If they say yes, they are counting on you to fail
It’s a simple concept but one that will have you worrying less about your site and helping you to concentrate on what you do best.
So, there it is. Some really important features your website visitors will appreciate. Old or new customers, it is all about taking your business to the next level of usability and success for the long haul.
Need help with your web hosting? Contact us today for the best advice to get you on the right path.