When Was the Last Time You Looked at Your Business Website?
Seriously.
When was the last time you really looked at your business website? You know, the one that…
- you spent a lot of time and money to present an accurate picture of your business;
- describes how your company is different or better from your competitors;
- explains why a consumer can trust your product and service;
- provides helpful and valuable information about your product or service to your clientele.
It’s been a while, hasn’t it? You’re not alone. Most business owners, just like you, rarely visit their company website once it goes live. It’s a common mistake we all make.
Our mind says, “We’ve completed this project, and now we can forget about it.”
This is not just a problem—it’s a colossal problem! In a world where digital presence is everything, neglecting your website is akin to shutting the door on potential customers. The longer you wait, the more customers you could lose. It’s time to take action.
In today’s digital world, your website is not just a tool; it’s a critical asset in building awareness of your product or service. Consider your website the foundation of your marketing strategy, your digital business card. If done correctly, it can be a powerful conduit for capturing qualified leads and significantly boosting your sales.
Check out these statistics and insights from a September 2023 article:
- Approximately 73% of small businesses have a website.
- Over 93% of website traffic is directed through Google.
- 1 in 5 businesses say their main website issue is low traffic.
- Google searches for “small business website” have increased by 30%.
Therefore, business owners must pay attention to their websites’ content and design and stay on top of consumer trends. Regularly updating the information as these trends evolve and as your business evolves is crucial to staying relevant and maintaining your business’s competitive edge.
Now, let’s talk more about the elements that can negatively impact a company’s bottom line when you don’t keep your website up-to-date.
Low Traffic
As noted above, 1 in 5 businesses says their main website issue is low traffic. Low traffic means low visibility via search engines. Just because your company has a website doesn’t mean it magically ranks on page one of Google or Bing. Unless the visitor knows the name of your business, without using SEO tools, your website will remain buried on the internet. Low visibility = low sales.
SEO and Rankings
As discussed in a previous blog, investing in consistent SEO practices provides businesses with greater visibility and quality leads. As potential and existing customers expect a fast and accurate search experience, you must optimize your website content to mirror search intent.
Mobile-Friendly
The number of websites that aren’t mobile-friendly continues to amaze me. The main offenders are usually professional service providers, particularly law firms. Apologies to the attorneys out there, but here’s your wake-up call.
Don’t make this critical mistake.
According to Zippia, 57% of users won’t recommend a business with a poorly designed website on mobile. Additionally, up to 80% of consumers will leave a website that doesn’t display correctly on their device.
This means mobile-friendly is a requirement, not a maybe. If you haven’t already, view your website on mobile, then ask yourself:
- Does it load quickly?
- Is the design attractive?
- Is the navigation easy to follow?
- Does the website include clearly displayed contact us information?
Remember, everyone will look up your website before doing business with you. Visitors will not engage with you if your mobile version is sloppy and unprofessional looking. It doesn’t matter how great your product or service is compared to the competition; a bad mobile experience will kill potential sales.
Design
Finally, quality design is essential. The human brain responds positively to a well-designed, attractive, and easily navigated website. If your website is more than four years old, it’s time to invest in a significant refresh. Look for a qualified website program and design team to lead the project. Unless you possess these skills, don’t skimp by using an out-of-the-box website template.
Investing in Your Business
At the end of the day, forgetting about your website is the same as forgetting to water your favorite plant. Both will die a tragic death without consistent attention and evaluation.
Knowing where to begin in revitalizing your website might feel a bit overwhelming. However, the marketing experts at YGL Enterprises are well-versed in strategic marketing and effective website presentations. We welcome the opportunity to speak with you about your goals. Reach out and schedule a consultation today.
Yvonne Levine, president of YGL Enterprises, Inc., is a strategic marketing consultant who collaborates with professional services and small and mid-sized businesses to develop and execute successful marketing strategies, branding initiatives, content creation, and digital marketing plans. By helping businesses devise a targeted strategy first, this approach creates a strong foundation for tactical decisions, which drives brand awareness and positive results. Follow Yvonne on LinkedIn and Facebook.
Yvonne Levine, president of YGL Enterprises, Inc., is a strategic marketing consultant who collaborates with professional services and small and mid-sized businesses to develop and execute successful marketing strategies, branding initiatives, content creation, and digital marketing plans. By helping businesses devise a targeted strategy first, this approach creates a strong foundation for tactical decisions, which drives brand awareness and positive results. Follow Yvonne on LinkedIn and Facebook.