6 Ways to Improve Your Business’ Website	1.3/5.0 (3 votes total) Rate: Select 1 - Terrible 2 - Poor 3 - Average 4 - Good 5 - Outstanding
Elena May 05, 2017

These days, a growing number of customers -- and this includes seniors -- head to the web in order to learn about a business before they decide to visit. Or in many cases, they’re pulling out their smartphone while in a store to get information on products and services, or discover sales and promotions.

Yet with this in mind, the surprising fact is that many business websites are not firing on all cylinders when it comes to features, functionality and security; while others, it must be noted, aren’t starting up at all!

If you think that your business’ website is overdue to for an upgrade – or perhaps a re-invention – then here are six proven and tips to keep in mind: 

1.  Make Credit Card Security Your Top Priority

If you sell products through your website, then ensure that credit card security is your top priority. Remember that you need to protect data-in-transit and data-at-rest, and comply with all prevailing laws and regulations. Expert advice is essential here.

2.  Use Responsive Design

Responsive design ensures that customers who access your website from various devices – e.g. desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone -- will all enjoy an optimal, trouble-free viewing and interactive experience.

3.  Make Key Information Easy to Find

It may sound blatantly obvious, but many websites make it needlessly difficult for visitors to find basic information such as hours of operation, address, phone number, and so on. Ensure that you don’t commit this common and costly error. 

4.   Tell Your Story

What makes your business special and unique? What is your vision, mission and focus? Without drilling into too much detail (this is a website after all, not a memoir!), proudly and colorfully tell your story on the homepage, and especially on your “About Us” type page.

5.  Offer a Newsletter

Email marketing is one of the most effective and affordable ways to connect with customers, and keep them updated on developments, promotions and so on. Just ensure that you follow all SPAM laws, and that your newsletter is designed in accordance with prevailing best practices.

6.  Create or Update Your Search Presence and Profile

When prospective customers type your business’ name into Google, what do they see? Yes, they probably see your website. But what about your Google Plus, Facebook and Twitter accounts? Ensure that you have a search presence and profile on all relevant platforms. You may also want to work with a digital marketing agency to boost your search engine optimization if that’s a part of your overall marketing mix (and chances are these days, it already is -- or should be). 

The Bottom Line

The personal interaction that you and your staff have with customers will always be valuable and vital to your business’ success and growth. However, you do want to ensure that your website is an asset that works as hard as you do, rather than a liability that is costing you customers, and giving your competition an edge. The above tips will help you launch or re-launch a website that you’re proud of, and that stands out in your marketplace for all of the right reasons.

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