What Makes a Great Business Website?

It can be a huge journey when starting a business from scratch. With so much to consider, from your business plan to your employees to your competitors, it can be easy to overlook how important your business’ website is. However, consumers rely on brand websites and web presences when researching the products or services they want to spend money on, so leaving your website as an afterthought could cost you in the long run. 

Starting to build a website can be daunting, as well. There are so many platforms, integrations and apps to choose from, it can be overwhelming even finding out where and how to start, especially without the right knowledge and skillset. You may want to consider investing a bit more in your website and have it designed by an outside team. Working with an agency like Cude Design, who specialises in web design in Guildford, is a great way to ensure everything is done right while focusing your attention on other important aspects of your business.

Even if you do consider working with an agency to build your company website, it’s still important to know what makes a great business website. As a business owner, you should know what elements are necessary for a website and what your customers are looking for, regardless if you’re building your own website or not. Here is a list of key elements for any successful business website.

Good Design

Your customer’s journey is crucial for converting sales, and good design is at the heart of it. The way that your visitors navigate through your website makes a major difference in the number of conversions you will get. Poor design can make it confusing for your customers, and they will leave your website to check out a competitor. The best approach is to follow the KISS design principle and avoid overly flashy colours, graphics and design elements that can distract your customers from your products. Your website should also have an intuitive flow and be user-friendly. The easier it is to make a purchase, the better. 

A Good Brand Story

You want to connect your customers with your brand, as this is the best way to grow your customer base. Consumers are more aware than ever of the kinds of ethics brands have and are keen on spending with companies that match their own personal beliefs. To do this, they need to know who they are buying from. Let your customers get to know your brand with a brand story. You can put this information in an ‘about’ section on your website, so it’s easy to find. Keep it short, but also include an element of storytelling to help your customers connect with your brand. 

A Clear Call to Action

It may seem like demanding your customers take action will push them away from a purchase, but the opposite is true. With a clear call to action, it makes the purchasing journey even easier and even helps to sway an indecisive customer. Whatever action you want your customer to take when visiting your website, whether it’s ‘Buy Now,’ ‘Subscribe Now,’ ‘Learn More’ or ‘Read Our Story,’ making sure it’s clear and direct is the way to go. 

Mobile Responsiveness

Ignoring mobile usability for your website is a big mistake, so make sure your website works well on mobile devices. This is especially true if your website traffic is mostly driven by digital or social marketing, as most of your visitors are likely to be using a mobile device. In order to capture as many sales opportunities as possible, your website needs to be optimised for mobile users, including smartphones and tablets.