Your State of Digital Marketing
You have waited as long as you could, and now it is becoming an increasing heavier weight on your shoulders; time to attack this Internet monster – right here, right now.
Whether your stall tactics are due to other areas of your business demanding your attention or the overwhelming-ness of so much to do on the web and not really knowing what you need to do or how to even get started, one thing is for sure, the sooner you get started, the sooner you will reap the benefits.
START HERE
Begin with an honest evaluation of your online presence.
1. When was the last time your website was updated?
2. How current is the copy?
3. How does your website look when viewed by a mobile device?
If your website is static and not easy to view using a mobile device, then it is time for a change. An update is in order. Set your sights on a website redesign, specifically, one that is responsive.
Responsive web design (RWD) is a web development approach that creates dynamic changes to the appearance of a website, depending on the screen size and orientation of the device being used to view it. RWD is one approach to the problem of designing for the multitude of devices available to customers, ranging from tiny phones to huge desktop monitors.(1)
4 out of 5 searches via mobile device lead to a purchase, often within a few hours.(2)
With mobile search, users are looking for information ‘on the go.’ This means having your address easy to locate on your website, while providing basic and easy to read details regarding your products.
“Responsive design teams create a single site to support many devices, but need to consider content, design and performance across devices to ensure usability.” – Amy Schade
A few benefits to updating your website include making it easier for those looking for you to find you and learn about your products. In addition, a mobile-friendly website will help raise your ranking within search. How? A month ago, Google updated it’s search algorithm so that mobile-friendly websites would rank higher than those that aren’t. Take a look where you rank now, and see what happens after a redesign.
If hiring an agency to manage your website redesign is not in your budget, check out these online website builder tools that are really easy to use:
1. Web.com
2. Weebly
3. Squarespace
Not only can you do this yourself, but using these tools makes it really easy to continuously update your site as new products are offered. SiteBuilderSpot provides reviews of these solutions and many more. Take a look at their reviews to help select the one that is best for you.
As you begin to plan your new website, simplify your navigation so users can quickly and easily locate the information they are looking for. When using images, make sure their file size is small so that your website can load quickly, particularly on mobile. Provide short benefit statements enabling users to quickly and easily understand what you have to offer.
While this may seem overwhelming, take a look around. See how easy it is view various company websites on your smartphone. Note what makes the experience frustrating, or enjoyable. Now focus on making your new website an enjoyable and easy-to-use experience. You will win new customers and beat the competition every time.