Okay, let’s cut the crap. If you’re still of the mindset that having a website is an optional part of doing business, then you’re about as up-to-date as a Blockbuster Video membership card. A website isn’t a luxury; it’s as necessary as oxygen, Netflix, or your morning caffeine fix.
But here’s where the plot thickens – if you’re building your website based on what makes your ego puff up like a peacock in heat, then you’re in for a reality check. Brace yourself, because it’s time for some good old-fashioned tough love.
So, why does your business need a website, and why the hell should it be designed for your customers, not just to massage your own artistic sensibilities? Strap yourself in, folks, we’re about to dive in.
Internet Real Estate: Why Your Business Needs a Website
Unless you’ve been living under a rock (or without Wi-Fi), you know the Internet is basically the town square of the 21st century. You might as well be peddling your goods on Mars if you’re not there.
Consider this, your website is your 24/7 storefront, and it never calls in sick. It’s the hardest working employee you’ve got, tirelessly showcasing your products or services to the world, attracting new customers, and cementing relationships with existing ones. Not having a website is like flipping off potential customers. Not exactly the best business strategy, eh?
In a world where more than half of consumers check online before making a purchase, it’s virtually invisible if your business isn’t online. And in case you’ve missed it, invisible doesn’t pay the bills.
Cut the Artistic Bullshit: Why It Needs to Be Customer-Centric
If your website looks like a modern art exhibit that only makes sense to you and your designer, it’s time to grab the bull by the horns and change course. Web design isn’t just about creating a website that could give Picasso a run for his money, it’s about communicating effectively with your customers.
In the immortal words of Billy Gene is Marketing, “Entertainment + education = sales.” Your website must entertain and educate your users about your product or service. It’s about as useful as a chocolate teapot if it isn’t doing that.
Think about it from your customer’s point of view – they want to find what they’re looking for quickly without having to decode your overly sophisticated, cryptic navigation. If they can’t figure out where to go, they will bounce faster than a hyperactive kangaroo on a trampoline.
Neil Patel nailed it when he said, “Customers trust websites that have videos and are far more likely to become your customer.” Leverage this. Use compelling, easy-to-digest videos and infographics. No one wants to wade through an ocean of text. Save the novel writing for your memoirs.
And while we’re at it, if your website isn’t optimized for mobile, you’re pissing off a colossal amount of potential customers. Over half of all Internet traffic comes from mobile devices. If your site makes users pinch and zoom like they’re trying to read the fine print on a dodgy contract, they will split faster than a hot knife through butter.
The Unsung Hero: SEO
And let’s not forget about our good ol’ friend SEO. We all want to be the popular kid, right? And on the Internet, popularity means visibility. SEO is like that nerdy kid in school who knew all the answers – you might not want to admit it, but you need him.