With the current uncertainty brought about by the pandemic, small business owners may be thinking of ways to ensure their businesses not only stay afloat but also thrive. One of the best ways to do this is by making key updates to your website to keep it competitive and relevant. The good news is, you don’t have to spend a ton of money to make efficient changes to your site. Motor Chili shares a few of the most simple and cost-effective updates you can make.
Make sure links are working properly
It’s essential to check your website regularly for broken links, as having them can be a major source of frustration for website visitors and could lead to them leaving the site. Internal links should always go where they’re meant to and external ones should open correctly — it’s especially important that external links link to pages that actually exist, as there’s nothing worse than customers ending up on an error page after clicking a link! An extra bonus for staying on top of broken links is higher search engine rankings, which can make all the difference in helping your business stand out from the competition. While this may sound like a laborious task, regular checks should become part of your general website maintenance routine if you want your site to remain a valuable asset for your business.
Check the navigation flow
Designing a website starts with making sure it’s easy to use; having a clear menu structure will ensure visitors can find what they need quickly and without getting lost. Additionally, it’s important to rank high in search engine rankings, as well as optimizing your website for mobile devices by ensuring that pages load quickly and are easy to read on all screen sizes. Further measures should include writing concise copy aimed at presenting information as clearly and effectively as possible, while automated responses must also be considered. Moreover, contact forms should work efficiently too, so that customers have an easy way to get in touch with you should they have any questions or concerns about the services offered.
Keep data and files secure
In order to protect your customers’ data, it is important to use secure PDF tools when collecting information from them. Make sure any forms they fill out are securely encrypted using SSL so they can submit their data with confidence knowing it won’t be stolen or misused. Additionally, if you have downloadable content such as ebooks or brochures available on your website, make sure they are also encrypted using secure PDF tools. Looking to know how to rotate a PDF? Use a PDF rotator that will allow you to change between landscape and portrait modes before downloading and sharing the final document.
Step up content with infographics
Visuals play an important role in keeping viewers engaged, so try adding infographics or other visuals whenever possible. Charts or diagrams can help break up lengthy text sections and add visual interest while still conveying important information quickly and easily. Just remember not to overload pages with too many visuals since this could lead to slow loading speeds that frustrate visitors. Fortunately, with the help of an infographic maker, you can put together great images that people will want to consume and share with their friends online.
Use SEO to drive traffic
Another way small businesses can stay competitive is by utilizing SEO strategies on their website. This includes adding relevant content with keyword phrases and optimizing images with alt tags so search engines index them properly for improved rankings in search results pages. Additionally, creating keyword-rich titles for each page and including meta descriptions will ensure visitors know what the page is about before clicking through from search results, which can increase click-through rates.
Optimize for mobile-friendliness
Small businesses are increasingly recognizing the importance of mobile optimization, as more and more people are turning to handheld devices to access sites. As such, an essential element of any website’s design is making sure it looks great on screens of all sizes – from sprawling desktops down to tiny smartphones. This could mean ensuring there’s enough space for menus and buttons to be easily tapped, as well as making sure content fits within the device’s screen, rather than being cut off or hidden behind scrollbars. Mobile optimization also requires careful implementation of images so that they remain sharp and clear no matter what size phone a user has – something that’s particularly important when considering today’s high-res displays. If you want your business to remain competitive in the digital age then staying up-to-date with mobile trends is an absolute must!
The key to creating a dynamic website that bolsters your success is to ensure that it meets specific criteria. Is it safe and secure? Is it visually interesting? Do all of the links work? Does it offer something that your competitors don’t? Ask yourself these questions as you set about updating your site, and don’t forget to utilize resources like a PDF tool to help with the process.