Jul 12, 2011

The Small-Business Website—Make it Count

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[/caption] A small business, though perhaps locally focused, can gain wider recognition by having a website. A website is an opportunity for a business owner to tell visitors what the business is and what it has to offer, as well as who is behind the scenes and anything else that might be valuable to visitors. Here are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when designing a website.

Do state who you are.

First and foremost, a website needs to show visitors whose website they are visiting and how they can get in touch with a business representative. Providing sufficient contact information is important to draw in those customers who prefer to make purchases on the phone or in person.

Do state what you do.

Describe what sort of business or service you provide. Also, describe your business mission so visitors can determine whether your business is right for them. You want your website to be designed in a way that informs potential customers about the types of services or products you offer. Simply listing your various services, for example, may not be enough. Go further by describing how you conduct services and how you begin and complete projects. The more information you share, the better.

Don’t have a confusing roadmap.

A visitor can get frustrated if she can’t easily find her way around your website. Keep your website design clean. Structure it like a neighborhood, with clearly marked signposts and easy ways back to the home page. Try to avoid complex menus and page combinations.

Don’t look bad.

The look of the website is the first thing visitors notice. What does your website actually look like? Does the layout make sense? Are the fonts and colors visually appealing? Design a website that visitors will enjoy viewing. You may want to get help from experts.

Do check your cross-browser compatibility.

Your website should be viewable on all internet browsers. For example, if your website looks great on Internet Explorer, you want to make sure it also looks great on Firefox and Safari. Having a website for your business allows potential customers to learn about you before they commit to making purchases. Do you need help with your website? The Small Business Authority can help.