Want to bring in more leads and sales in 2024? The place to start is with a stunning yet functional website, perfectly tuned to your business. According to research by Stanford University, 75% of users admit to making judgments on a company’s credibility based on the company’s website design.
Let’s face it: Your website is often your first impression on potential clients.
So, if your site feels dated or isn’t converting visitors, this is the year for a facelift! Here are five essential tips to get you started:
Top 5 New Year's Resolutions for Your Small Business Website
1. Hire Web Design Experts
Building a great website requires specialized skills like design, copywriting, and technical development, rather than going the DIY route, partner with professionals.
If you are considering a DIY versus hiring a pro, consider your specific needs, budget, and technical expertise first. Additionally, think about whether you really have the time to do it or is your time is better spent running your business or spending time with family and friends. Below are some additional pros and cons to think about:
Cost:
- DIY: Generally, the primary advantage of the DIY approach is cost savings. Many website-building platforms and tools are available for free or at a relatively low cost.
- Professionals: They can be more expensive upfront but may lead to a more polished and customized website.
Time:
- DIY: Building a website on your own can be time-consuming, especially if you're unfamiliar with web design principles.
- Professionals: They can save time and have the expertise to create a website efficiently.
Quality:
- DIY: The quality of a DIY website depends on your skills and the tools you use. While some DIY platforms offer professional-looking templates, customization may be limited.
- Professionals: They can create a high-quality, custom website tailored to your needs and brand.
Customization:
- DIY: DIY platforms often provide templates that can be customized to a certain extent. However, deep customization might require technical skills.
- Professionals: They can provide a high level of customization, ensuring that the website aligns with your brand and business goals.
Functionality:
- DIY: DIY platforms may have limitations in terms of advanced functionality. Integrating complex features might be challenging.
- Professionals can code and incorporate advanced features, providing a more sophisticated and functional website.
Maintenance:
- DIY: Maintaining a DIY website is generally manageable, but updates and technical issues may require troubleshooting.
- Professionals: They often offer ongoing maintenance services, ensuring that your website stays up-to-date and functions smoothly.
SEO and Performance:
- DIY: Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and performance depend on how well you understand and implement best practices.
- Professionals: Experienced designers will likely implement SEO best practices and optimize website performance.
User Experience:
- DIY: Achieving an optimal user experience may require understanding design principles.
- Professionals: They are trained to create websites that offer a positive and intuitive user experience.
2. Optimize for the Mobile Experience
Did you know that nearly 6 out of 10 internet users say they won’t recommend a business with a poorly designed website on mobile? According to Statista, over 40% of traffic comes from mobile devices, so having a responsive or mobile-friendly site is table stakes. If your site doesn’t adapt seamlessly across devices, you could lose most visitors arriving by mobile.
3. Plan for Continual Improvements
Set aside a portion of your marketing budget for routine website enhancements. Build in quarterly website audits to address security vulnerabilities, update branding, speed optimizations, integrate the latest features, etc.
4. Craft Compelling Content
Content that brings people in and keeps them engaged. Ensure you have a healthy mix of blog posts, eBooks, case studies, and more that nurture leads. For example, pest control companies may publish guides on “How to Prevent Termites from Damaging Your Home,” while moving companies could have a blog series on “10 Tips for Stress-Free Moving”.
Ultimately, the decision between DIY and hiring professionals depends on your specific circumstances, including budget, time constraints, and the importance of high-quality, specialized content for your website. In some cases, combining both approaches might be the most practical solution. Below are some additional pros and cons to think about:
Cost
- DIY: One of the primary advantages of DIY is cost savings. You won't incur expenses associated with hiring professionals.
- Professionals: Hiring professionals can be considered expensive, especially for high-quality work. But the cost is also relative. However, I do understand that can be a significant factor for small businesses or individuals with limited budgets.
Flexibility
- DIY: Doing it this way allows for greater flexibility in terms of timing and revisions. You can make changes quickly and experiment with different styles.
- Professionals: Hiring professionals will enable you to scale your content creation efforts as needed, ensuring consistent and high-quality output.
In-Depth Knowledge
- DIY: As the business owner or someone intimately familiar with the subject matter, you likely have a deep understanding of your industry, products, or services. You also have complete control over the content creation process, ensuring your vision and voice are accurately represented.
- Professionals: Translating your vision to professionals may sometimes result in miscommunication, leading to content that doesn't fully align with your expectations. However, a good content writer should be able to adapt to your style quickly.
Time
- DIY: Content creation can be time-consuming; if you're not experienced, it might take longer to achieve professional results.
- Professionals: Professionals are likely to work more efficiently, saving time and allowing you to focus on other aspects of your business. However, relying on them means you depend on their availability, which could potentially cause delays.
Quality Concerns
- DIY: Without professional expertise, the quality of your content may not match industry standards, potentially impacting your brand's credibility.
- Professionals: Professional content might lack the personal touch and authenticity of creating content in-house.
Expertise
- DIY: If you're not already skilled in content creation, you'll need to invest time in learning the necessary tools and techniques.
- Professionals: Professional content creators bring expertise in writing, design, and digital marketing, ensuring high-quality output. They are often well-versed in SEO practices, helping your content rank higher in search engine results.
5. Manage Your Online Reputation
Actively maintain your online presence on review sites and social media. This builds credibility while allowing you to respond promptly to reviews and questions. Consistent social media activity also helps boost SEO.
Final Thoughts
The new year offers a fresh start to transform your online presence into a revenue-driving machine. Let our team of experts take your website to the next level in 2024! Contact me for a free consultation, and let's take your small business to the next level!
