Entrepreneurs and business owners can become overwhelmed by the number of things they need to pay attention to when developing and maintaining their business website. The internet is a swiftly changing landscape, and it is vital to have a presence through a standalone site, but the details that go into creating one are innumerable.
A good website could be what makes or breaks your success as a business, so paying attention to these details will help you in the long run.
Continue reading below for the top five questions any entrepreneur should ask about their website for a basic overview of some of the most important things to consider. While not a comprehensive list of everything there is to consider, this article will get you started on the road toward creating a website that works for your business.
With diligent research and this new knowledge, you will realize how important it is to continually analyze your business website to ensure that you stay ahead of your competition!
Table of Contents
How well is my SEO optimized?
SEO, which stands for search engine optimization, is an integral part of any business website and is the vital driving force behind organic traffic by people who are looking for what you offer. Ensuring that your website’s SEO is fully optimized will help you take advantage of a potential customer base that comes to you directly every time they search the internet for what your business specializes in when looking for products or services.
Optimizing your site’s SEO is a continual work in progress as algorithms and web services change, making it one of the most critical questions that any entrepreneur should ask about their website. Without proper optimization, you could be missing out on a plethora of potential new customers who are searching for what you offer, so this area is one that you should always pay attention to as a business owner.
For this reason, paying attention to how well your SEO is optimized is one of the top things that any business owner should pay attention to when updating or improving their site.
Do I need to pay more attention to UX?
User experience, abbreviated as UX, is another essential part of developing a business website that many companies often overlook during the design and development process. The user experience is how your customer interacts with your site from the first moment they enter through their last interaction. Poor user experience is often one of the driving factors behind a visitor leaving your site prematurely, making it an important thing to keep in mind for business owners.
Ensuring that your customers have a pleasant experience and can move through the pages with ease is key to keeping them on your site longer, which can ultimately lead to making a sale or generating a new follower. If the webpages are displeasing to the eye or load too slow, a visitor is more likely to leave before they get a chance to explore everything your business has to offer.
Is my brand identity consistent?
Often overlooked by many who are new to websites as a business owner is the concept of brand identity, which is responsible for making your business look professional and appealing to customers. Asking yourself if your brand identity is consistent with what is represented on your website is an essential part of ensuring you have all the pieces in order.
A consistent brand identity gives your audience a sense of trustworthiness and professionalism that makes customers more likely to purchase and remain loyal to your business over the long term. While it might seem like a small thing at first glance, your brand identity makes you a recognizable business to returning customers as your business presence grows across the internet.
Do I need more content?
One of the number one rules on the internet is that “content is king” and the same can be said for websites of all shapes and sizes, regardless of what the business is offering. It is essential to ask yourself if you could benefit from more content on your website because it drives traffic to your company and keeps customers returning to see what is new and fresh.
Even if you don’t think you need more content, consider asking yourself this question if you find your website is losing traffic or if your audience is spending less and less time visiting your site. The addition of new content could be the key to getting more customers and retaining the customers you already have, so it is important to remember this when looking at your business website.
Can I improve accessibility for my clients?
Often confused with user experience, accessibility is a different angle that you often need to consider when analyzing your website from the viewpoint of your audience. If customers are unable to find what they are looking for, they will quickly leave to find it elsewhere, and this accessibility issue is a massive problem for many businesses offering their products or services on the internet.
Another part of accessibility is ensuring that your website works across multiple devices and platforms and is accessible for those with special needs. Screen Readers for the seeing impaired need to be able to translate images, links, and product descriptions into audible formats, and if your site is not set up to work with these programs, you run the risk of losing a potential customer.
Be sure to educate yourself often through a trustworthy resource that will help you stay abreast of all the things you need to know when managing your site.
Running a business website can be a complicated task, so it is crucial to stay knowledgeable about all the cutting edge updates and changes so that you can stay ahead of your competitors as a business owner. Armed with this knowledge, you will be able to use this tool to grow your business more efficiently and effectively despite all the challenges.
Marina works as content manager at Digital Authority Partners, an SEO company based in Chicago that works with brands to increase traffic to their websites and generate more leads across various platforms.