(866) 326-6507 newsletter | tell a friend
In the not so distant past, business owners typically built their websites to give them a credible online presence. Times have definitely and definitively changed. Business owners now expect their websites to generate new leads. Yet even the best-intentioned web pages often fail to increase levels of incoming traffic, especially the targeted kind that can result in new clients and new business. What’s an entrepreneur to do? Well, like most endeavors, the devil is in the details. There are many ways to transform your website from an underperformer to overachiever. Here are five basic strategies that can quickly get you headed in the right direction.
A web site that has been optimized properly can attract visitors when it appears on the first page of a Google, Yahoo, or MSN search. Getting top rankings on these major search engines for the right keyword phrases can result in increased traffic to your website as people search for keyword phrases related to your products or services.
First impressions are usually the most crucial, both in real life and in cyberspace, so make sure your homepage describes concisely and compellingly what your business is all about. If your company is called Acme Widgets, explain exactly what kind of widgets can be found on your site, and what sets them apart from your competition. Make visitors to your site feel like they’ve come to the right place, and give them reasons why they should purchase your product or service.
Make sure that the content on your site is informative and educational, and doesn’t come across like an infomercial. Online visitors should be able to learn something useful; otherwise, they’ll quickly leave and won’t return. Think of your website content as a communication tool that will induce repeat visitors and business.
You may have written the most wonderful, witty and informative content possible, but it will be useless if visitors have to click through five levels to find it. The goal of a website is not to send people on a treasure hunt. Time is money, and potential customers don’t want to spend a lot of time trying to figure out your navigation protocols. You need to make it easy for them to find exactly what they want in the shortest possible time and with the least amount of effort.
How many times have you visited a website and couldn’t find a phone number or other type of contact information? While it may seem like overkill, all your relevant contact information should be on every page, so if someone wants to call you, they can easily and quickly do so. If they can’t quickly find out how to get in touch with you, they won’t waste any time seeking out one of your competitors.
Benchmark Internet Marketing provides Online Marketing Strategies & Search Engine Optimization for small to medium sized businesses. Whatever online challenges your company may face, let Benchmark Internet Marketing help you start finding new customers today. Call us toll-free at 866-326-6507, email us at info (AT) benchmark247.com, or click here to schedule a consultation for a website review.