Did you know that 80% of consumers now say they research products and services online before making a purchase decision? That’s a lot of potential customers who are going to be looking at your website. It's important to have a website that is user-friendly, engaging and easy to navigate. Here are some ways to optimize your website as a business tool.
Create a Sitemap
This is a map of your site’s navigation. Your website should be self-explanatory, but this map will help visitors find the information they are looking for. To make it easier to read, use color coding to distinguish between home page, product page and contact page content.
Make sure you have a sitemap and a search function
A sitemap is a web page that lists all of the pages on your site. This makes it easier for visitors to find the information they’re looking for. And a search function will allow visitors to find what they’re looking for by entering words or phrases into the search bar.
Simplify Your Navigation
One of the best ways to optimize your website is to simplify the navigation. Let's say you're looking for a new refrigerator. You go to Google and type in "refrigerators." All of the listings will show up on the first page, but if you click through, you'll find that they're mostly just advertisements. However, if you type in "refrigerators near me," your browser will automatically take you to a map that lists all of the stores near where you live with reviews and ratings.
It's important to have an easy-to-follow navigation that leads people exactly where they need to go. Make it as straightforward as possible by linking together pages or sections so visitors can get from Point A to Point B without confusion.
Include a newsletter signup
Adding a newsletter signup is one of the easiest ways to build your business and make more sales.
Your newsletter should offer valuable, relevant information about your company, products and services to subscribers. This will lead to better engagement with your clients and potential customers.
It's also important for your website visitors to know what type of content they can expect from you. For this reason, take time to update your site's "About Us" page with relevant details about your business and what it offers.
Have a social media integration on the website
One of the best ways to use your website as a business tool is to have social media integration. When you click on your social media accounts, it should take you directly to that account. You can also post an update on your website and then share it with your social media accounts. This way, visitors who are looking at your site can stay updated without having to go back and forth between their computer and their phone.
Add testimonial boxes
Adding testimonials to your website is an excellent way to build trust and credibility. Collecting reviews from your clients and customers is easy with online review services like Yelp or Google Reviews. It’s important to make sure you address any negative reviews that are on these sites. You may also consider contacting the reviewer directly if they posted their email address, phone number, or social media accounts.
Improve your user experience by providing social validation
Social media can be used for more than just advertising. For example, you can use social media to validate your website. You want people to feel confident that your site is legit and trustworthy. That's where social validation comes in. Validation on social media helps people relax about their purchase decisions because they know the company is reputable.
Add an FAQ section
The FAQ section is a great way to provide information to your potential customers. Customers will be able to find quick answers to their questions without having to go through each page on your site. This means that they are more likely to continue browsing your website, which will increase the chance of conversions.