We’ve been talking about numerous ways you can bring attention to your website and gain more visitors. But what will they find when they get there? Are your web marketing efforts going to bring visitors to a website that will turn them into customers? Will it entice them to come back, and share your website with their friends and colleagues?
Your website is the #1 marketing tool for your business and if you set it up right, it will work for you 24/7 regardless of whether you are working or not. Ask yourself the following questions, and if you answer “no” to any of them, you’ll know that your website is not working for you the way it can and should:
- Is it clear from the first page of your website exactly what you can provide for your visitors and why it will solve their problem, need, or want?
- Does your website build trust by letting visitors know who you are and where you can be contacted?
- Do visitors know what to do as soon as they arrive on your website? Do you have a clear call-to-action on every page?
- Are you capturing leads with your website? In other words, do you have a place–above the fold–where visitors can sign-up (and a compelling reason for them to do so), so that you can stay in touch with the people who have shown enough interest in you or your business to visit your website?
- Do you provide ways for people to share your content easily with their connections?
- Do you make it clear how visitors can connect with, and learn more about you through social media?
- Does your website or blog reflect your branding and have a professional look and feel?
- Is your website and navigation laid out in a logical manner so that people do not become confused or lost when they visit?
- Do you have copy on your website that is clear, concise, compelling, and free of grammatical and spelling errors?
There are over 1.8 billion people on the Internet in 2010 (over 266 million in North America alone)*, and you have an unprecedented opportunity to reach them. What is your website saying about your business?
Success to you! ~Norma
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Great tips, a lot of people can learn from these.
Beth
Thanks Beth! That is definitely my goal. Have a great day! Cheers ~Norma
Hey Norma!
Those are some crazy states. Yes, I’ve got to clean up my branding so I appreciate this post!
I’ll have to sit down and clarify what direction I want to take my brand.
Thanks Norma! Have a great Sunday!
Ryan -you are so awesome! How many website do you have, already!? Talk to you soon my friend and thanks for the kind words. Cheers ~Norma
Hi Norma,
Well now that you lay it out so clearly, it’s back to the drawing board for me…. lol Great post, thanks for the info.
All the best,
Richard
Hi Richard – I know it can be overwhelming, but you can take one step at a time and you’ll get there. There is always a matter of upkeep and tweaking…but that part is king of fun
Thanks for taking time out to read and comment! Cheers ~Norma
Reading this blog post convicts me of things I have yet to complete – to write consistently (I have blog stories in my head crying out to be heard) and I am also in the middle of creating a newsletter so I can share specific tips, tools and resources and capture my audience to build my list.
Thank you for the well written, organized and concise tips for making your website work for you!
Thank you, Ana Lucia! You know it can be so overwhelming sometimes, just remember that it doesn’t all have to be done at once. Also short and sweet works, so you don’t have to feel as thought the content has to be too extensive. This might help take some of the pressure off and help with being able to generate the content more consistently. Cheers ~Norma
Thanks for the great post Norma! I tell my clients that websites are always a work in progress. These tips are a great guide for small business owners updating their site!
Thanks Christine! That’s a great point, because I know it can seem overwhelming sometimes. It is good to remind people that they don’t have to do it all at once!
Well, this is the first time that I’ve read a list like this about having an optimal website for my biz where I’ve answered “yes” or “I think so” to 90% of the questions.
Of course, that’s just my perspective, and that’s going to be biased.
I would so love feedback, if you’re willing to give it, Norma.
Hi Rachel – so glad to hear that! I will take a peek and let you know if I see any problems–otherwise, assume you are in good shape
Cheers ~Norma
Very good ideas. So many things to have a look at again. Thanks
Hi Diane – thank you. The good news is that you don’t have to do it all at once. Just one thing at a time when you have time. It’ll get there
Cheers ~Norma
Good solid points and well presented. It would be worthwhile to use it as a checklist and go over all our websites. It compliments an article I wrote recently: Is Your Website a Goldmine or a Waste of Time?
Hi David – Thank you! I’ll have to check out your article. I love reading others perspectives on similar topics–I always learn something new. Cheers! ~Norma
What a great post! I am printing this one out as this is a topic that I am dealing with right now. Always looking for ways to improve my website.
Thanks Kim – I’m glad you can use this info to improve your website! Our sites are great tools and I know I am also always finding things to improve on mine as well–so it works harder FOR me, instead of the other way around
Cheers ~Norma
Great tips Norma! Thanks
You bet, Bette! Cheers ~Norma