You know, I know, and everyone knows that you “have to have” a website if you have a business.
But why?
It’s because your website can be your secret partner in business. It can win you new clients, build loyalty with existing clients, and boost your overall sales.
But only if it’s a well designed website that works for you.
Does your website work for you? Check our checklist to make sure!
Know your Website Goals
You need your working website to do three things.
First: be easy to find.
Second: entice potential clients to click through to visit your site.
Third: convert visitors from curious bystanders to active customers.
Think it can’t be done? Think again.
First: be easy to find
Make sure online surfers using search engines find your site.
You want to make sure that your site has optimal SEO (Search Engine Optimization). This means:
- using a system to build your site that is search-engine friendly.;
- creating new content on a regular basis that follows SEO guidelines;
- making sure your site is properly configured for keyword searches and keystone content
- providing lots of pertinent, free information that others will want to link to and share.
In addition to making sure your own site is fully SEO ready, make sure you are taking full advantage of other search engine features. Have an updated, fully configured Google and Bing Business Listing; use the Google website management services to make sure your site is listed and as indexed as possible.
(Don’t worry if you don’t know how – we do!)
Second: entice potential clients to click through to visit your site
Offer awesome content that everyone will want to share and read.
This means having a blog. (Okay, having a website that works for you takes a little work on your side, too.)
When you are posting regular, free content, that shows your customers that you are an expert in your field. It shows them that you’re interested in helping them out, even if it means giving away a little of your knowledge for free. And it shows them that you can be trusted, because you’re up front about everything.
But even more importantly, it provides lots of content to Google and to social media websites that is shareable. Others in your area of expertise will want to pass around this information.
And if your articles are good quality – meaningful, well written, informative, and with great SEO setup – then the people will come. Click throughs will happen organically – and all that evergreen blog content can be shared again and again.
Don’t forget to share on your own social media feeds, too. If you post it – they will come.
Third: convert visitors from curious bystanders to active customers
The key to getting casual visitors to become customers is to have a strong call to action.
You must ask your visitors to do something on your site – to click a button or a link to make something happen. Do you want them to buy your book? Book an appointment? Get directions to your physical store so they can drop by? Donate to your cause?
Don’t make it too complicated or busy. Make it simple and easy. Just one button, just one ask. Do this, please. You’ll be surprised at how often people do exactly that.
One strong call to action you can have is to ask visitors to join your email list. No one likes getting a lot of spam, but getting access to someone’s mailbox is a pretty powerful direct marketing tool, so ask with respect and treat their information like the prized possession it is. Offer them something cool in exchange for this pure gold – a free download or exclusive content – and then only use your mailing list for the purest good, sending the most important information only when necessary.
You’ll be appreciated – and then hired.
Does your website work for you? Is it easy to find, does it offer enticing content, and does it have a strong call to action?
If not, we can help! Contact us today for a free quote.
