As a small business owner, you want to be as successful as possible, but acquiring that success is no easy task. No matter how unique you are and how amazing the products and services you provide may be, you’re up against a lot of competition. You’re vying for the attention of your targeted audience; the same audience that so many other small businesses – and big businesses – are trying to attract.
How do you stand out from the crowd and attract the attention of the customers you are trying to target? – With a website, of course! In today’s technology-driven world, a website is an absolute must for small businesses. It puts you on the map that consumers use the most to find the products and services you offer: the internet. In fact, if your business doesn’t have an online presence, your chances of being successful are seriously narrowed.
While having a website is vital for small businesses, making sure that it meets the needs of the audience you are trying to reach is just as important. When would-be customers click on your site, you want them to have an awesome experience; after all, the experience they have with your site leaves a lasting impression and has a direct reflection on the type of experience your visitors can expect to have with your business. If your potential customers are experiencing any of the following issues when they visit your website, more than likely, they’re going to click right off of it – and you’ll lose what could have been valuable customers.
Bad Content
In the world of internet marketing, there’s a saying “content is king”. There’s a reason for that saying: content is an essential component of your website. It educates your visitors, lets them know about the products and services you offer, and tells them why they can trust you. Even if you don’t realize it (and if you don’t, you totally should), your website is one of the most important tools you’re using to market your business on the internet; hence the reason why the old adage mentioned above is so important to your overall success. Put simply, if your content stinks – if it’s poorly written, fully of errors, and just doesn’t translate well – your visitors are going to look elsewhere. Content tells your business’ story; readers need to connect with it, otherwise, it isn’t going to mar your success.
Loading Issues
If your website doesn’t load properly, it’s sending visitors away. Consumers expect – nay, demand – proper loading; after all, would you want to visit a site yourself that takes forever to load? How can you tell if you’re having loading problems? Visit the site yourself; when you click on it, you’ll be able to tell if there’s a problem instantly.
If you’re experiencing load problems, Managed IT Services can help. A reputable managed IT service provider will perform regular maintenance to ensure your operating systems and applications are always up-to-date and working properly so you can avoid those pesky load issues that are turning your customers away.
Stock Photos
It might seem silly, but believe it or not, if you’re using stock photos on your website, you could be turning potential customers away. Your website conveys the reliability of your business and sets you apart from the competition. If, however, your site features stock photography, you’re basically telling your visitors that you’re no different than any other business. Why? – Because stock photos are featured on so many other websites, and it’s pretty likely that your visitors have seen those photos dozens of times before. Instead of setting yourself apart from the crowd, you’re blending in with it. Use photos on your site; it might cost a little more, but you’ll definitely see a return on your investment.