Was your existing web site designed to build consumer trust and sell your products or services, or was it built to showcase your shiny new office downtown? With millions of new web sites being launched daily, how will your business stand out to prospects? How will your web site build that critical trust in under two seconds? I’ve put together some critical components that should be incorporated into your online web presence:

6 Critical Web Design Elements Your Business Should Incorporate Into Your Web Presence

1.) Tell Your Story – VERY Quickly.

Your home page is the doorway to your business. You have seconds to share with people who you are and what you do. Don’t waste those seconds by trying to over-think your messaging. People online don’t have patience. Don’t make them dig to learn about you, differentiate your business in seconds and you’ve got a solid chance of converting a visitor into a buyer.

2.) Sell Quality Products & Services.

This sounds like a no-brainer, but if you don’t have a solid product or an expert service, how will you stand out? People want to buy from experts, they want to buy quality ‘stuff’. Make certain that your best products are showcased, have quality photos, have quality descriptions, have quality reviews.

3.) Testify!

How has your product or service changed someone’s life or business? That may be a stretch, but people will buy based on testimonials and the good word from someone else. Be certain to incorporate some authentic testimonials into your web design.

4.) Keep It Current.

Keep your web site current with news. That news can be a published press release, insight and commentary, expert advise and opinion through a blog, white papers or case studies, etc.. Keeping your web site up to date does instill confidence people that your business is alive and viable. Once a web site starts to become stagnant, people gravitate to more relevant and timely web sites. Keep them coming back, and you’ll open doors to engage them.

5. Customer Care Goes A LONG Way.

Your web site needs to be a hub for your existing customers and prospects. It’s mission critical that your site offers and makes it easy for existing customers to reach out to you should something go wrong or if they simply have a question. I’ve seen many web sites that alienate their existing clients by making it so difficult for them to get in touch. Your business needs to realize that the web site will NOT do it all for you, their needs to be human interaction. In today’s retail / service environment, not having a solid customer service department or plan can be a deal breaker for your business.

6. Keep It Clean.

Do you like clutter? Do you like noise? Your clients and prospects don’t either. In today’s world of constant messaging, billboards, commercials, banner ads, etc., it’s so important to realize that prospects gravitate toward clean and simple. Keep your web site design tidy, don’t overload it with copy and messaging. Stay on target with your message and be consistent.

The bottom line with your web design is this: It’s got to instill confidence in your web site visitors. They need to trust and buy into your business and your brand, so it’s imperative that your site rapidly conveys that credibility.

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