Relationship categories often include “married,” “single,” and the one that raises a red flag for many: “It’s complicated.” Most of us want to avoid complications.
If you’re not experienced in web design, the odds of website complications are higher. Cookie-cutter templates for do-it-yourself designers usually have poor codes, limited pages, and they look…generic. You have – you are – a brand, and you deserve a website that reinforces who you are and what you do.
You’re a business owner; an entrepreneur. You know how to manage your time. You don’t have time to effectively develop and maintain a website because it’s a full-time job.
Reduce Website Confusion; Enhance User Experience
Technology itself is complicated, and website technologies include programming languages, server/host connections, content management systems, and more. Beyond website technology, there are numerous design elements critical to business success:
- Increasing conversion rates
- Inspiring action and click-throughs
- Maximizing SEO
- …and much more
Some website design mistakes lead to poor UX (user experience). That’s problematic for sure, but website design mistakes that impact your bottom line are much worse and deserve immediate attention.
Information Quality
Website visitors seek information, and they shouldn’t have to work hard to find it. Your contact details should be on every page. Customer support and the various ways to get product or services assistance deserves its own tab/page.
A big mistake is including information that is not credible, uncited, or of low quality. Missing information (website design information, for example), and failure to include About information can discourage conversions. If the tone of your content is negative, it can dissuade action. Even on a subliminal level, negativity is a turn-off.
Navigation
The global majority – 96.5% – use mobile phones for online navigation some of the time and about half of all internet access (U.S. and globally) comes from mobile phones. About 60% of advantaged countries use laptops and desktops for online activity.
Consider this: The average time spent on a website, including yours, is 45 seconds. It takes about fifteen seconds to click and load a page and that leaves 30 seconds for your website visitors to decide if you have information they need. Otherwise, they use another 15 seconds to click out and renew their search. Website navigation should be easy.
Navigation complications include:
- Brand inconsistencies – Problems include using more than one logo or address. If some pages have been updated to represent a more modern tone and image and others are unchanged or if you’ve integrated new content with old copy. These inconsistencies are off-putting.
- Broken/outdated pages – Your last blog was 2017 and you used stock images? One or more links generate 404s? Danny’s Homepage is a good example of an outdated webpage that will send traffic backwards.
- Claustrophobic design – If there’s a clutter of content and images – no white space – your users can’t breathe.
- Poor CTAs – If users are confused about your call-to-action button/link (They aren’t sure if the link takes them to a “schedule a consultation” vs. “contact us.”), they may not click.
Managing Uncertainties
Being in business itself requires you to accept risks and plan for uncertainties. But you can minimize a user’s uncertainty about your business with professional website design. It’s that simple.
For Northwest Houston communities including Cypress, Magnolia, Spring, and Tomball, Modern Marketing & Media is the preferred partner for website design, redesign, and management. We live and work here, just like you.
Do you have questions? Call 512-632-5662 or contact Modern Marketing & Media.
When working with a web designer, you are limited to one person’s skills. An agency includes several people who will contribute to your website design. Your agency-team of website professionals can offer several levels of expertise.
Responsive design is the way your website flows across all devices. Your users should be able to navigate your pages without complications, whether they are using cellphone, desktop computer, laptop, SmartTV, or tablets.
