Chances are your business has a website of some sort, or at the very least is listed in several business directories online. Both of these can be very useful in enabling people to find you, however once they find you, they expect the information they are looking for to be easily found. If that information isn’t found in seconds or simply doesn’t exist, chances are they will look elsewhere. Your Business’s website should be well outfitted to provide the content people generally seek while looking online. Your website needs to have the following things to generate leads and communicate with the public:
1. Contact information
This may seem like a no-brainer, but you may be surprised how many sites fail to include proper contact information on their website. Not only is it a general best practice to include a page dedicated to this contact information, it is also a good idea to include simple contact information on the template of your site. A phone number and email address in the banner perhaps, or even your store address in the footer. Get creative and include this information where people will see it, especially if this is a primary way new clients get in touch with you.
2. Testimonials from past customers/clients
You may be surprised at this, but customer testimonials are still an easy and beneficial thing to include on your business’ website. Actual content provided by customers assist in making your products or services more tangible to potential online customers. Beyond this it instills a sense of trust, a trust that is important in acquiring new leads. One thing that must also be considered is that not all testimonials are created equally. A testimonial from John Doe, anywhere USA, may not have the same impact as say a manger at reputable company or organization. I say testimonials are important, but do not think you are required to have a page dedicated to these testimonials. These testimonials are a good example of “Easter Eggs” you can scatter throughout your site. This way people are presented with them while looking at information.
3. Social media integration
Social media bigger then it has ever been before, it is also now a standard for every business to have a social media presence. Social media provides an easy to use channel to communicate your core customers, and even better, it is free to use. Social media has become a way people give recommendations to their friends, and share your content with people they are connected to. Any business can see the benefit of reaching more people. Social media can be incorporated in your website in a variety of ways. You should, at the very least, have links to your various profiles on the template of your website. It is also recommended that content you provide be accompanied with a link to easily share. Beyond that, the larger social media platforms provide easy to use widgets that can show onlookers how many people have already shared your website or content, which is a testimonial in itself. Take advantage of the freebies given to you via social media, and work to build your following with interesting posts.
4. About Us
The about section of most websites is among the top pages visited. For many online customers the “about section” is just as important as the pages outlining the products and services you offer. This section, perhaps above all else, is an opportunity to further build trust. It should provide a concise history of your company, details on who you are and what you do, and be written in a way that reflects the culture of your company. It is also a good idea to include specific information about they employees that make up your company. You can focus on the management alone, or all of your employees. Have them write short bios and include their direct company contact information if applicable. This instills a sense of transparency and openness that potential customer love to see.
5. Call To Actions
This may be the most important part of your company website. A call to action is a way to collect the information of potential clients who have looked at your website and are interested in your products or services. Calls to action are offers in the form of buttons, banners, or graphics that prompt people to continue down a conversion tunnel. A mechanic’s website may have a call to action that says “Need and Oil Change? Click here” taking people to a page where their information is collected, so they can be contacted later. Calls to action provide an easy way for people to reach out to businesses and test the waters.
These 5 things can help you be more visible to clients which is the entire point of having a website. You want your business to be easily contacted, trustworthy, and informative. These aspects of your website will be a huge step in that direction. And remember, once this information is added, keep it updated! Static websites will be just that, static. People searching for you want to see something fresh and up to date, so don’t forget about your website once it is done. Blue Frog is here to help with all of your business's needs. Contact us for more information!