Starting July 1st, Quarter 3 is in full swing. You’ll want to use this time to get your business ready for the holidays, as this is when many businesses generate the majority of their revenue.
One of the best ways to prepare is by making sure that you have a website that’s built to impress. It only takes a few seconds for visitors to make up their minds, so you want to be sure that your website is fully optimized to your users’ needs.
Here are five tips for making your business website more impactful as you head into the second half of the year.
1. Keep the design simple and unique.
Take a few minutes to look over your website. Does the design need updating? Can visitors find the information they need quickly?
The homepage is typically the most important part of the website, as it’s the first thing that visitors see. Consider the impression you want to make and the message you want to send to visitors. The key is to not overload your homepage, as this can confuse visitors and cause them to leave.
2. Remove clutter and distractions.
Remember, you want people to find the information they need in as few clicks as possible. Therefore, you should work on removing distractions from your website. Certain elements can detract value from your site, such as “stocky” images, content that’s too long and complicated animations.
Follow your brand guidelines, as these will specify the font styles, colors, imagery, iconography and logos that you should be using. Avoid too many interactions or animations, as these can distract visitors from their end goal.
3. Add social proof, like testimonials.
If you haven’t already, make sure that your website has social proof that builds trust in visitors. A great way to do this is by incorporating testimonials onto the pages of your website. Video testimonials are best because they hold a person’s attention and build stronger connections.
You can also incorporate written testimonials, but to make them look more authentic, add a photo of the customer. If you’re still working on gathering genuine reviews from your customers, you can use text testimonials from social media in the meantime.
4. Incorporate strategic calls to action.
Strategically place calls to action throughout your website so that it’s easy for visitors to convert. Remember, people are generally lazy, so you want to make things easy for them. Place CTAs in visible areas, such as the top right of your navigation and below sections that require action.
Also, pay attention to the language you are using. People shouldn’t have to think about what they’re going to get by clicking on your CTA button. The language should be practical and transparent, as well as create a sense of urgency.
5. Use the right stock images.
While we generally recommend using original photographs, we know there are situations where stock images make sense. It’s fine to use stock photos, but make sure they flow with the rest of your website and aren’t too “stocky” looking.
When browsing through stock images, choose those that have good lighting and natural scenes. Steer clear of images with cheesy smiles and over-exaggerated emotions. You can also edit the photos to make them look more original, such as by adding a filter or cropping out backgrounds.
If your website could use a facelift, contact Magna Technology. We’ll be happy to simplify your website so that it clearly communicates your brand message – and just in time for the holidays!
