We’ve all been stuck on a slow and never-loading website once. The one that made us think: “I would never do business with this company.” Sadly, it’s not limited to desktop browsing. Mobile users face the same errors and poor design decisions that turn them away from companies. Your website can have a huge impact on your business performance.
Although poor website performance doesn’t imply that the business isn’t worth trying, that’s the perception a customer forms. 46% of the users expect a website to load within 2 seconds. And according to Amazon, an additional second could cost the company $1.6 billion in yearly sales.
Let’s discover the characteristics of a well-performing website and learn how they can affect your business.
Websites are the New Business Cards:
What do you do when you meet your potential customer in person? You hand them your business card. The website is the business card of the digital age. It’s one of the first places potential customers will visit to learn more about your company.
A website that gives a high-quality first impression builds trust with potential customers. According to Google, users are more likely to purchase from and recommend a brand if they have had a positive experience on the website.
When designing your website, make sure you pay attention to the following:
· High mobile-friendliness
· Quick loading time
· Intuitive design
· Engaging content
Since the affordable cost of living and easy access to recreational activities attract entrepreneurs to Colorado, Denver is seeing a surge in website developers. These professionals are responsible not only for the website’s design but also for Search Engine Optimization (SEO), which we’ll discuss later. So, if you’re in the process of starting a business here, contact a WordPress Developer in Denver to discuss the details of your project.
Ways a Well-Performing Website Impacts Business Performance
On average, businesses invest between $500 and $5000 to design and develop a website. This significant investment is because a website is a powerful tool for reaching new customers. Many companies invest in sophisticated tools to monitor the performance of websites, enabling them to analyze user behavior and make data-driven decisions to enhance website retention rates.
A website is open 24/7 and has the potential to reach a global audience. With a well-designed website, businesses can:
Generate Leads and Sales Online:
A website is a powerful marketing and sales tool. By including Calls-to-Action (CTAs) and contact forms, you can encourage potential customers to reach out and inquire about your products or services.
According to a report, companies that use CTAs on landing pages increase conversion rates by 80%. Also, businesses that use live chat on their website are 2.8 times more likely to generate a sale than those that don’t. So, keep these two essential elements in mind when designing your website.
Establish Thought Leadership:
A website is also a great platform to share your company’s story. Your customers want to know more about you. It builds trust and credibility. You can use your website to establish yourself as an expert in your industry by sharing helpful blog posts, infographics, and case studies.
Focusing on selling is good, but extending your website’s capabilities by adding a blog can take your business to the next level. According to a report, blog companies receive 97% more inbound links and have 434% more indexed pages.
It is because when you produce high-quality content, other websites are likely to link to it, which helps with your SEO.
Improve Customer Service:
It’s a customer-driven world, and businesses must do everything possible to provide an excellent customer experience. Your website is one of the channels you can use to improve customer service.
By providing a FAQ section, you can answer some of the most common questions your customers have and reduce the number of customer service inquiries. You can also use live chat to answer questions in real-time or even add a chatbot to your website.
Amazon and Netflix are great examples of companies that use chatbots to provide excellent customer service. Chatbots are available 24/7 and can answer customer questions quickly. Keep in mind your customer loathes waiting on hold.
Save on Operating Costs:
A website can help you save money in many ways, from reducing your dependence on paper to automating some of your business processes.
For example, you can use an online payment system to bill your customers and accept payments. It’s a fast and efficient way to conduct business. You can also use your website to schedule appointments, saving you time and money.
In terms of sales, seamless integration between your website and POS system can help you keep track of inventory. You can also avoid overstocking or understocking.
Build Brand Awareness and Recognition:
What do you think stays with the customer longer – a TV commercial they see for 30 seconds or a website they can explore for as long as they want? That, too, without any glitches. An attractive, fast, and easy-to-navigate website returns your customer (even if it’s just for window shopping).
Ensure your website has a consistent feel across all pages. Use the same colors, fonts, and style on your website as you do in your offline marketing materials. It will help with brand recognition and awareness.
What is a Website’s Return on Investment (ROI)?
A website’s return on investment (ROI) is the ratio of how much money you make from your website to how much it costs to build and maintain it.
The ROI of a website can be tricky to calculate. Remember, your website is an investment, not a cost.
To calculate your website’s ROI, you need to factor in the following:
1. The cost of building and maintaining your website
2. The revenue generated from your website
3. The cost of any missed opportunities because you don’t have a website
While it can be challenging to calculate your website’s ROI, there are some ways to improve it.
Here are a few tips:
· Make sure your website is designed for conversions. Include calls to action, strong copy, and a clear value proposition.
· Use data from your website to improve your marketing efforts. Use Google Analytics to track where your website traffic is coming from and what they’re doing on your website.
· Use your website to generate leads. Include forms on your website and use lead generation tools like HubSpot’s free CRM.
Final Thoughts:
An entrepreneur can launch a business one day and start getting orders the next. That’s how dynamic the internet is. It has completely transformed the way businesses operate and reach their target market.
However, if you want to capitalize on this phenomenon, you must have a website. It is the foundation of your online presence and plays a pivotal role in your business performance. While designing a website, keep three things in mind – content, design, and user experience. The website should look good and function even better. The rest will follow.
