Back in the early days of the internet, there weren’t really any coding standards. Sometimes when you visited a website, you got lucky, and the pages opened quickly and were responsive. Other times, though, it was a nightmare. Pages took ages to load, and even when they did, the layout was garbage.
Fast forward a couple of decades and now we’re in the era of HTML5. It’s such a good platform that these days there really is no excuse for having a bad website. HTML5 code allows you to make beautiful, bespoke websites that actually do what your customers want.
But all too often there are businesses out there who aren’t doing their web sites justice. They’re settling for mediocrity and as a result, their sites are failing their businesses. Here’s what they’re doing wrong.
Failing To Post Contact Information
Most companies think that it’s enough to have a contact box on their site with a message underneath like, “we’ll get back to you.” But this is not a good idea. In fact, it’s a terrible idea. It gives the impression that you want to keep your customers at arm’s length. And customers usually don’t want this. They want to know that you’re there for them whenever they might need you.
It’s best, therefore, to post your contact information on every page of your website. Even better, incorporate it into your header so that it’s consistent across all your web pages. Plus, include a detailed contact information page that makes clear when and where you are contactable.
Ugly Logo And Graphics
Have you ever arrived at a business site that looks just ugly? What’s the first thing that popped into your head? Probably the thought that the CEO of the company designed it. An ugly logo and web design is a big turn off for customers. It makes your business look second rate, even if it isn’t.
Of course, for a lot of startups and small businesses, cost is a big issue. But the costs aren’t usually that high. Often there’s just £100 standing between your business and an awesome logo.
Unresponsive Website
Most small businesses will opt to use a site builder. But these are often slow-loading and unresponsive.
Responsive web design has a certain knack to it that isn’t always obvious to amateurs. It requires an understanding of how websites work and what systems underlie the back end. Again, it’s something that’s best left to a professional to sort out, especially if you’re dealing with a high volume of customers.
Too Much Information
There’s a fine line between too little and too much information. Too little information and your website will look sparse. Too much, and you’ll end up overloading customers.
One solution is to employ landing pages that direct customers quickly to the right content.
Lack Of Personality
All too often corporate websites are boring. There’s nothing to them that captures the interest of customers, even if they’re interested in your product. Most of the time it comes down to the fact that companies believe they have to explain their products. A better tack is to focus on your purpose.
