Spring clean your website

Spring clean your website

Whether it is spring, summer, autumn or winter, when did you last take a look at your website and see it from your customer/clients’ point of view? I’m just as guilty as the next person when it comes to neglecting my website, but with the search engines lurving new content you can’t afford to ignore it. Sit down, make yourself a cuppa, then spend just five minutes with my top tips and spring clean your website:

1. Why would someone visit your website? – Are they looking for advice? Do they want to buy something? Is it obvious how they can get what they came for? You have less than five seconds before they click away from you.
2. Are you giving a good first impression? Research shows that visitors make up their minds about the quality of a website in the blink of an eye. Visitors generally believe that if the site looks good then so must be the content and quality of what you sell/provide.
3. Does your website reflect your business? Your website is your company’s shop window. Look at it and what do you see? If you are a young vibrant company then have bright colours and fun images. If you need to be taken seriously, e.g. solicitors, then more sober colours and factual images may be appropriate.
4. Is your company human? People buy from people so don’t hide behind your website. An ‘About Us’ page, including photos of and brief bios of key staff adds the human touch. Most people are nosey and want to put a face-to-the-name/company so feed their curiosity.
5. Are you contactable? There is nothing more frustrating than having to hunt for contact details. Make them obvious – don’t hide otherwise your customers won’t know how to buy from you. Always include a physical address as this adds credibility – would you feel confident buying from someone who didn’t want you to know where they are?

A bad online impression of your company could mean more business for your competitors – don’t hand them your (potential) customers.