How successful is your business website? Are you generating lots of web traffic? Are you receiving enough sales and enquiries or are visitors taking one look at your site and leaving for one of your competitors instead?

In today’s digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial for the success of any small business. Your website is often the first point of contact for potential customers, and it can significantly impact their perception of your brand.

To ensure your small business website is a powerful tool for growth and not a hindrance, it’s essential to follow best practices. In this blog post, we’ll explore 20 do’s and don’ts for creating and maintaining a successful small business website.

The infographic below from WeddingWire offers 20 do’s and don’ts for you to start with.

20 Do's and Don'ts for a Successful Small Business Website

 

The Do’s:

1. Invest in Professional Design:

Do hire a professional web designer or use a high-quality website builder. A polished and visually appealing design establishes trust and credibility with visitors.

2. Mobile Optimization is a Must:

Do make sure your website is responsive and looks great on mobile devices. With a growing number of users accessing websites on smartphones, this is non-negotiable.

3. Clear and Intuitive Navigation:

Do create a simple, user-friendly navigation menu. Visitors should easily find what they’re looking for without getting lost in a complex menu structure.

4. Quality Content is King:

Do invest in high-quality, relevant content that educates, entertains, or solves problems for your audience. Regularly update your content to keep it fresh.

5. Optimize for SEO:

Do conduct keyword research and optimize your website for search engines. Effective SEO helps your site rank higher in search results, increasing visibility.

6. Fast Loading Speed:

Do optimize your website for speed. Slow-loading pages can turn visitors away. Compress images, use caching, and minimize unnecessary scripts.

7. Secure with SSL:

Do implement SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) to ensure your website’s security. This builds trust and is essential for e-commerce sites.

8. Include Clear Calls-to-Action (CTAs):

Do use compelling CTAs throughout your website to guide visitors towards desired actions, such as making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter.

9. Contact Information Visibility:

Do prominently display your contact information, including a physical address, phone number, and email. This adds credibility and makes it easy for customers to reach you.

10. Regularly Update and Maintain:

Do keep your website up-to-date. Broken links, outdated content, and technical issues can harm your reputation and search rankings.

11. Social Media Integration:

Do link your website to your social media profiles. This helps in cross-promotion and encourages visitors to engage with your brand on multiple platforms.

12. Optimize Images and Multimedia:

Do use high-quality images and multimedia content, but ensure they’re properly optimized for the web to prevent slow loading times.

13. Collect and Showcase Testimonials:

Do gather and display customer testimonials and reviews. Positive feedback builds trust and credibility.

14. Implement Analytics:

Do set up web analytics tools like Google Analytics to track visitor behavior, traffic sources, and other essential data for making informed decisions.

15. Focus on Accessibility:

Do make your website accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. This not only broadens your audience but is also legally required in many regions.

16. Regular Backups:

Do regularly back up your website to prevent data loss in case of technical issues or security breaches.

17. Protect Against Spam:

Do use effective spam protection measures for forms and comments to maintain the quality of user-generated content.

18. Legal Compliance:

Do ensure that your website complies with all relevant laws and regulations, including GDPR for user data protection.

19. Engage with Your Audience:

Do actively engage with your audience through blog comments, social media, and email. Building a community can lead to loyal customers.

20. Monitor and Adapt:

Do regularly monitor your website’s performance and user feedback. Be willing to adapt and make improvements based on this information.

The Don’ts:

1. Neglect Mobile Users:

Don’t ignore mobile optimization. With the majority of users on mobile devices, a poor mobile experience can drive visitors away.

2. Complex Navigation:

Don’t create a complex or cluttered navigation menu. Simplicity and ease of use should be your guiding principles.

3. Low-Quality Content:

Don’t compromise on content quality. Poorly written or irrelevant content can harm your reputation and SEO ranking.

4. Keyword Stuffing:

Don’t stuff keywords unnaturally into your content. Focus on creating valuable content for users, and use keywords sparingly and naturally.

5. Slow Loading Times:

Don’t neglect website speed. Slow-loading pages frustrate visitors and can lead to high bounce rates.

6. Ignore Security:

Don’t skip implementing SSL or other security measures. A hacked website can damage your reputation and compromise customer data.

7. Neglect CTAs:

Don’t forget to include clear CTAs. Without them, visitors may leave without taking any action.

8. Hide Contact Information:

Don’t hide or make it difficult to find your contact information. Lack of transparency can raise suspicions.

9. Neglect Maintenance:

Don’t forget to regularly update and maintain your website. Outdated information or broken links can frustrate users.

10. Ignore Social Media:

Don’t neglect social media integration. It’s a powerful way to connect with your audience and drive traffic.

11. Overload with Multimedia:

Don’t overload your website with heavy multimedia content that slows down page loading.

12. Lack of Testimonials:

Don’t skip displaying testimonials and reviews. They provide social proof that can influence potential customers.

13. Neglect Analytics:

Don’t forget to set up analytics. Without data, you won’t have insights to make informed decisions.

14. Ignore Accessibility:

Don’t exclude users with disabilities. Failing to make your website accessible can lead to legal issues and a negative brand image.

15. Neglect Backups:

Don’t skip regular backups. Losing your website data can be a nightmare.

16. Allow Spam:

Don’t let spam overrun your site. Use anti-spam measures to maintain quality.

17. Legal Non-Compliance:

Don’t ignore legal requirements. Violating regulations can lead to fines and legal troubles.

18. Ignore Audience Engagement:

Don’t neglect audience engagement. Building relationships with your audience can lead to brand loyalty.

19. Set and Forget:

Don’t assume your website is a one-time project. It requires ongoing attention and improvements.

20. Resistance to Change:

Don’t be resistant to change. Be open to adapting your website based on feedback and changing trends.

In conclusion, your small business website is a vital tool for reaching and engaging with your target audience. By following these 20 do’s and don’ts, you can ensure that your website is not only visually appealing but also functional, secure, and effective in driving business growth. Remember, the digital landscape is continually evolving, so staying updated and responsive to changes is key to long-term success.

 

Mark Walker-Ford

Director, Red Website Design