7 Web Design Tips: Effective Ways to Make Your Small Business Website Stand Out
Did you know that there are more than 1.88 billion websites in existence today? And that number is growing every day. Because of this, small business owners need to do everything they can to ensure their website is impressive and stands out from the crowd.
In this guide, we’ll provide you with our tips on doing exactly that, revealing our top seven website design tips for small businesses.
Web Design Tips: Important Stats
Did you know that 98% of small business owners have a website today? That means iff you don’t have a site up and running, you are immediately putting your business on the back foot.
Not only do you need to have a website, but you need one that’s visually appealing too. According to Adobe, almost every 6 in 10 people want to browse a well-designed, beautiful site instead of a basic one.
Many statistics show just how important mobile web design is. In fact, around 44% of all retail e-commerce sales come from mobile, so you need to ensure your e-store is in good shape.
How Important is Web Design?
You may wonder, is a website worth it for your small business? The short answer to this question is YES.
Related Read: Tips To Creating A High-Converting HubSpot Site
The main reason why web design is important for businesses is that it creates a positive impression on potential customers. A website offers information to potential customers in an easy-to-find and convenient format and helps your business appear reputable and modern. It can help you in terms of nurturing your leads and increasing conversions.
Of course, it’s another way for people to find your business, and when you consider the reach of the Internet, this is something you don’t want to miss out on.
Web Design Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some web design mistakes to avoid if you want to make sure your website is a success:
- Failing to optimize your website across different devices - More people are using their smartphones to access the Internet than ever before. Therefore, you must ensure it’s easy for them to view and interact with your website. If images appear too big and the user cannot click on buttons, they will only get frustrated and look elsewhere.
- A design that puts trust into question - You need to convey trust. However, there are a number of elements that can go down the opposite. For instance, if you don’t have a contact page or clear contact details, this can create feelings of skepticism.
- Too many website elements - If there is too much going on, your website will appear confused and cluttered. Make the most of white space. Give your text and images room to breathe so that viewers enjoy your website and take in all of the information.
- A website that is slow to load - The Internet is supposed to be about convenience. If your website takes too long to load, people won’t wait. They’ll simply hit the back button and go to the competition instead.
7 Web Design Tips to Make Your Small Business Website Pop!
If you want to make your site stand out from the competition follow these seven simple website design steps!
1. Choose a good domain name - Use the correct extension when choosing a domain name. Keep it as short as possible, and make sure it’s easy to spell and remember!2. Take your time to choose a scalable, secure, and reliable web host - Your web host will have a huge influence on the security and performance of your website, which is why it’s vital to select with care. Always make sure support is on offer so you don’t find yourself offline for any extended periods of time.
3. Provide a clear business description - Don’t leave viewers with guesswork. Instead, provide a clear and simple description of who you are and what your business does. You should have a hero image that represents your company. Your About Us and Contact Us pages should be clear and easy to read.
4. Choose a quality CMS - WordPress is one of the most popular Content Management Systems on the market today, but is it right for you? Take your time to assess your options and choose one that suits your business’s unique needs.
Related Read: HubSpot’s Free CMS Tools Review: 12 Pros and Cons to Consider
5. Spend time perfecting the UI - UI stands for User Interface. Because you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression, you really do need to get this part right. Research your target audience to see what they want and expect. Make sure your graphics are optimized and compressed for quick loading. Choose fonts that are easy to read and complement your brand.
6. Optimize your website for SEO - Incorporate keywords naturally throughout your content. Use social media buttons and links. Add internal links throughout your website to keep people engaged. Add high-quality backlinks to build authority as well. You should also have an SSL certificate installed.7. Publish quality content on a regular and consistent basis - You’ll need to keep adding quality content to your website if you want to engage customers, rank highly, and establish yourself as an authority in the industry. Use different content styles to keep people engaged. User-generated content is always a good option to consider.
Create a Small Business Website that Stands Out from the Crowd
So there you have it: our top website design tips for small businesses! Follow the advice and suggestions mentioned above, and you can create a small business website that impresses for all of the right reasons. You may also want to check out Appnova’s eCommerce homepage design guide to help you get started.