How a Bad Website Negatively Impacts Small Businesses
Imagine if a viewer found your website through an affiliate link, but left it almost immediately after opening it. Your website wasn’t good enough for them to stick around and explore it. They probably went with one of your competitors instead. Why? Because your competitor’s website inspired trust and credibility.
As a small business, you need to build a strong base. Read on as we uncover the elements of a bad website that can negatively affect your business:
Cons of Having a Bad Website
Customers Won’t Be Willing to Engage With You
An easy-to-navigate website helps customers find what they’re looking for easily. If they have a query, a chatbot helps them out, and so on and so forth. However, certain factors will make customers leave immediately, such as:
• Your website is overly crowded
• Takes too long to load
• Is so complicated that what visitors are looking for is buried in countless subcategories.
Your Website Won’t Be Memorable
Customers usually remember a brand by visuals like the colors (McDonald’s Golden Arches), a logo (the Polo Horse for Ralph Lauren), and so on. A poorly made website will not help your brand personality shine. If you haven’t created a proper theme, and every page that loads is either too generic or too different, they won’t be able to trust you. Even if they make a one-time purchase, the chances are, you won’t be memorable enough for a second visit.
You Won’t Rank on Search Engines
If one of the aspects your website lacks in is Search Engine Optimization (SEO), then you won’t get your desired customer traffic. Not only will you rank lower, but fewer people will access your website, which, in the long run, means fewer sales.
No One Likes Looking Through a Complicated Website on a Small Screen
Nowadays, everyone is using the web through their smartphones and tablets. You can’t afford to have a website that is complicated, difficult to navigate through, and, worst of all, not mobile-friendly. Customers won’t give you a second thought before moving on to your competitors’ websites.
What Are the Elements of a “Good Website”?
Even if you’re a small business, you need to make your website modern, updated, and easy to navigate. Some basic requirements include:
• A clean, uncluttered webpage
• Open search option to help customers find what they’re looking for instantly
• A proper theme that flows through all your web pages and content
• Audio and visuals to engage your audience
• Minimal to no pop-ups and advertisements
• Reduced loading time
• Colors that fit your purpose (for instance, green may be for nature, etc.)
• Testimonials to lend credibility
• Clear and legible print, etc.
The Bottom Line
We’re living in the digital age, and your website is likely your main medium of customer engagement. Take advantage of this platform that helps you reach vast audiences within moments. Focus on some key aspects like SEO and a clean, professional-looking website that will encourage viewers to explore your brand a little more.
With the social media age, everyone focuses on having something “shareable.” Design your website so that people can share it easily. With your customers sharing your website with friends and family, you can expand your customer base.
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