In uncertain economic times, small businesses need every advantage they can get. Making changes to your website is a great way to boost sales and give customers confidence in your business, even when budgets are tight. The Barrow County Chamber of Commerce understands that small business owners are facing many challenges right now, which is why we've put together this list of strategic website updates you can make to bring in sales and strengthen your company.
Overhaul Your Site Design
The look and feel of your website gives customers an instant impression of your business. Is it outdated? If so, consider making some updates to the design. Find out what’s currently trending in web design and apply those elements to your own site. Don’t forget about mobile users; make sure your site looks great on all devices, and that it's accessible to individuals who are living with disabilities.
Showcase Customer Reviews
Customer reviews are still one of the most effective ways to build trust with potential customers. Make sure you have customer reviews prominently displayed on your website, ideally beneath a product listing or description of your services. You can also add social proof badges from sites like Yelp or Trustpilot that display real-time customer ratings.
Make SEO a Priority
Search engine optimization (SEO) helps ensure that customers can find you when they search online for keywords related to your business or industry. Make sure every page on your site has meta titles and descriptions, as well as relevant images and alt tags, which will help improve visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs). You should also use relevant keywords throughout the content on each page.
Write a Blog
Creating content is a great way to drive traffic to your site and keep your visitors engaged once they land there. Set up a blog so you can share helpful information about topics related to what you do, as well as news about promotions or events related to your business. This will show customers that you are active and up-to-date with current trends in the market--even during an economic downturn.
Optimize Page Speed
No one wants to wait around for slow page loading times, especially if they are trying to buy something. Implement some best practices when it comes to page speed optimization such as compressing images, minifying code, and using caching plugins so that pages load quickly no matter what device someone is using when visiting your website. If you're unsure of how to do this, consider hiring a professional who can help you optimize page loading speed.
Utilize PDF Tools To Your Advantage
If you have documents such as contracts or forms that need signing or filling out, consider using PDFs instead of HTML forms or Word documents. This will protect both you and the customer from any malicious activity, since PDF documents cannot be edited unless specifically password-protected by their creator. If you need customers to be able to fill out and sign forms on your site, there's a tool designed specifically for that; check it out here.
Learn More About Data Analytics
As more people purchase items online during uncertain economic times, it is important for you to understand how data analytics tools work so you can maximize sales opportunities through targeted advertising campaigns. These tools allow you to see who is visiting your site, how long they stay, and even where they live. Consider taking some free online courses related to data analysis so that you can leverage this valuable information while strengthening your business during tough times.
Uncertain economic times don’t have to spell disaster for small businesses if owners take proactive steps toward strengthening their online presence before disaster strikes. Making changes such as overhauling design elements and using PDF tools can help you save time and keep customers happy, which means they'll keep coming back. Create a solid plan for your website updates, and remember to monitor their effectiveness over time.
Are you interested in gaining access to local small business resources? Reach out or consider joining the Barrow County Chamber of Commerce today.
