In the early days of the Internet, simply having a website gave a company a big advantage over others. These days, though, an Internet presence is a requirement. While you might understand the necessity of a website, you might not realise just how much a bad website can damage your business’ online reputation. Let’s look at the Top 4 Ways a Bad Website Can Hurt Your Business.
Top 4 Ways a Bad Website Can Hurt Your Business
- Bad First Impressions
- Missing Out on Leads
- Providing Outdated Information
- Lack of Mobile-Friendly Design
Simply having a website is no longer enough. Your website needs to look professional, be easy to navigate, and provide useful information to your customers or they’re likely to look elsewhere.
Take a look at the ways a bad website can hurt your business, and think about how you can turn it around with better design.
1. Bad First Impressions
In many cases, your website is the first interaction a customer has with your company. With a bad website that has a poor design, that customer is going to hit the back button and find another company that looks more professional.
What makes a site look bad? It could be something as simple as taking a long time to load or having an outdated look. Grammatical errors and poorly written content are also big turn offs to many people.
Finally, a customer who comes to your site is looking for information, whether it’s your location, your prices, or something that could help them decide whether or not to buy your product or service. If that information isn’t easy to locate, they’ll start looking elsewhere. Your site should be easy for that person to navigate.
2. Missing Out on Leads
Any person who comes to your website is a hot prospect. That person is actively searching for information about what you sell. Naturally, you want to capture not only their interest, but their contact information. If your site doesn’t do this, you’re missing out.
Make sure to prominently display your contact information on each page of your site. It’s also smart to connect with customers on a regular basis.
From your website, ask people sign up for your mailing list or “like” your Facebook page. You’ll get more sign-ups if you offer something useful, such as access to special discounts or a free e-book filled with useful information.
3. Providing Outdated Information
Many business owners make the mistake of thinking that a website is simply a “set it and forget it” business expense. That may have been true in the past, but these days, it’s better to keep things updated. For instance, an incorrect phone number means missed calls, and outdated prices means lost money. Always update your website to reflect recent changes.
This includes contact information, price lists, and new or changed products and services. It’s also a good idea to include a blog to discuss current happenings. This has the added benefits of increased visibility online and more opportunities to interact with customers in meaningful ways.
4. Lack of Mobile-Friendly Design
More people are staring to use their smart phones to look for information, particularly when they’re on the go. Mobile-friendly websites are essential. They’re especially important for companies that people are seeking immediately, such as restaurants or beauty salons.
However, some people use their phones to search the Internet more frequently than computers, so it’s smart for all types of businesses to have sites that people can view from their phones. You’re losing out if people can’t access your site from their phones.
Great web design starts with a high-quality web design company.
At Pixel Fish, we understand small businesses and have the experience you’re looking for. We’ll work with you to create a site that accurately reflects your business. Whether you don’t have a website yet or you know that your current site needs some updating, contact us today to get started.
Looking for help with the process of building that online presence?
Contact us today to learn more about website development and how your online presence can change your business.
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