Top Website Development Mistakes
1) Not Enabling Search
While many website development firms are extremely talented at designing attractive websites they often ignore the fact that the primary reason most small businesses have a website is to generate additional sales. With over 70% of searches for products and services beginning online, good website development firms build sites that adhere to the latest guidelines for being SEO compliant. Make sure that your website development team completes basic SEO tasks like creating unique Title, Header, and Meta data for EACH page of your website.
2) Confusing Navigation
Have you ever visited a website in attempt to find a phone number or product pricing only to go elsewhere because you can’t easily find the information? Website visitors are often goal driven. They are visiting a web site to accomplish a specific task such as perform research, find contact information, or simply buy product. And if the information they are searching for is not readily available, you may lose the sale to a competitor.
3) Ignoring Basic Design Convention
Basic website design principles are not hard to figure out. Website visitors develop an expectation of how your site will be designed based on what they see from other websites they visit. While coming up with an original design may make your site stand out, it may also cause visitors to find your site difficult to use and then quickly leave. Studies in online marketing, indicate you have 6 seconds or less to make a first impression.
4) Be Purpose Driven
Is the goal of your website to generate leads? Sell product? Provide Information? Does your current website design accomplish those goals? If you sell a software product and you want visitors to sign up for a free demo of the product, does your website make this easy to do? Take the time to talk with your customers and find out what is important to them.
5) Tracking
I am often amazed that when I ask a small business owner how many unique visitors per month their site receives, they look at me with a blank stare like I am speaking a foreign language. Knowing how many visits, where they come from, what parts of your site they are checking out is an important aspect of online marketing that often falls by the wayside.
6) Maintaining Your Website
Want to know the quickest way to erode confidence of a site visitor? Have a website that contains broken links, typos, or outdated information. A potential customers’ first impression of your company is often through your website. Whether you decide to assign this task to someone internally or hire an outside web design firm, having a professional website that is maintained and updated is important. Don’t lose a potential client because your websitelooks amateurish.