When I first got started developing websites I told my wife “How hard could it be”, little did I know how overwhelming the world of websites could be. There are so many different fundamentals to follow when creating a website. I want to take the next couple weeks and break down some important fundamentals your website should follow and how you can improve on each area.
Website Speed
47% of people expect a web page to load in two seconds or less
53% of people will abandon your website if it takes more than 3 seconds to load. You could have a great website design, but if its taking too long to load people won’t wait around and your great design isn’t being seen. You could be losing potential customers just because your website loads slowly.
Website Design
75% of users admit to making judgments about a company’s credibility based on their website’s design
Apple is known for making well made, standout designed products, but they didn’t just stop there. They create stores that standout, have open space and a clean, simple design. But what if they didn’t worry about their storefronts. What if they just opened their stores in a half built space with exposed wires? Would you still think their products are well made? Don’t lose customers just because your website is half made or poorly designed.
Missing a Call to Action (CTA)
70% of small business websites lack a Call to Action on their homepage
Have you ever been in a store where you want to buy something but you can’t find the cashier? How long do you stand around until you give up and just buy the item from a different store? Having a website without a Call to Action is like having a register without a cashier. You have potential customers wanting to purchase an item or service, but not giving them the easy ability to do so will have them shopping elsewhere.
Unfixed Errors
88% of online consumers are less likely to return to a site after a bad experience
Its shocking the amount of times I have heard clients tell me they know they have this issue but they haven’t been able to fix it so they just left it. Some errors are less critical than others. A spelling mistake is important to fix but isn’t extremely critical to the web experience. But having an invalid or missing SSL certificate, having broken buttons that don’t work or send you to the wrong URL, these are critical issues that effect your websites experience.
Ask yourself
- How many potential customers have left my website because it is too slow?
- How many customers have I lost because my website is hard to navigate?
- How many customers went to a competitor because I don’t have a clear Call to Action?
- Does my website send the same message as my businesses mission?