How Having a Well-Designed & Functioning Website Impacts Your Business
Have you ever visited a confusing website? Hard to navigate? Wasn’t what you expected after clicking on it? Took you way too many clicks to get you what you needed?
I’m sure you’re sitting there nodding your head up and down.
And that’s the worst experience as a user — am I right or right?!
As a small business owner, that’s the last thing you want to do for the user. There are many factors to consider for a well-designed and functioning website before seeing a positive impact. So, let’s get into those before chatting about its benefits for your business.
The checklist for a well-balanced website
Before you can reap the benefits of having a well-balanced website, you must first have these pages + elements in place. Whether you’re going to work with a designer or DIY it, you’ll want to include the following:
Select the platform that best fits your business and services. I recommend reading through my blog post about the three website platforms I work in for my clients and which is best for your business.
Secure your domain, aka your URL. You can search available website domains at whois.com.
Account for all main pages: Home, About, Services, Contact, Privacy Policy, Custom 404, Blog (optional — but read here for why you should be blogging for your business)
Copy for all of the pages above. It’s super important to have all of your copy written before designing your website because it’ll help you or the designer (ahem) create a beautiful and functioning website that incorporates your messaging for your target audience. I include a copywriting guide that the talented Sara created from Between The Lines Copy if you choose to work with me and wish to write your copy.
Having your branding complete — and sorry, a logo won’t suffice. Your branding should include at least the basics: a color palette, a logo, brand marks, font pairings, and some strategy that positions your brand with your desired ideal client in mind. If you want to go a step further, having your messaging and positioning (i.e., brand tone + voice, values, mission statement, etc.) flushed out will only support your branding + website that much better.
Click here to read more about my branding + website services.
The benefits of having a well-designed and functional website for your business.
OK, now that we understand what you’ll need before diving head first into designing your website, we can get into the positive impact it has on your business.
I don’t want to waste time, so let’s dive in.
– It clearly communicates with your potential clients
Your copy is an essential element of your website. Again — whether you’re writing it yourself or hiring a copywriter — you will want to nail down your messaging throughout your website.
The first thing your potential client sees when they land on your homepage should be your USP (unique selling proposition). Your USP statement will help you differentiate your brand from your competitors.
Clearly and quickly communicating this from when the user lands on your website is vital to converting them into customers because they’ll read that and know they are in the right place. AND your, the person or business, to help them solve their problem through your services or products.
– Gives your brand a more professional look + builds credibility
You need a website to make your brand look more professional. Having a website establishes your credibility and trust with potential clients.
When your potential clients click that link in your bio or find you through other platforms, it's crucial to have a place that hosts your services, about you, and how they can get in touch with you. And most importantly, the value you're bringing to the table.
Making this experience enjoyable and easy for them gives you a leg up compared to your competitors.
And by professional -- it does not have to be stiff and boring. See some website examples here.
– It helps more people find you
You can reach more people when you have a website for your small business. When you get more eyeballs on your website, you're generating more potential leads that can become satisfied clients.
Just think about it — when your potential client is searching for what you have to offer in Google — your website could be the one they click on. Or if they are perusing Pinterest and land on a blog post that sparks their interest — that could bring you a new client.
Your website can reach a broader audience that you're targeting by simply having one (and having the right things in place).
– Increases your sales
In this case, Instagram or a social media account won't suffice.
Now I'm not saying social media isn't necessary because it is! But — it's a marketing tool to help drive interest and traffic to your website. And if you don't have a website to send them to, you could miss out on many sales.
A well-designed and functioning website provides a central hub for everything related to your business, which could be the one thing that positively impacts it!
If you want to learn more about my branding and website services to help instill confidence in your business — click here.
