A great website design is crucial for a successful business website, but this doesn’t mean you should overlook the importance of good content. Good content is what sends the right message into the hearts and minds of your customers—and it’s what can set your website apart from your competitors. In truth, the design, visuals, videos, and other elements of your website provide a role that is secondary to good content. Think about it: If you have the most beautiful website in the world with gibberish as content, the website will not be effective. The design itself doesn’t sell; it’s the message behind the design.
The key to a successful website that works is having clear, relevant, and keyword-rich content that is properly optimized for search engine optimization (SEO) and sends a valuable message to visitors with power and conviction. The content on your website should be carefully crafted toward your audience; your content should be engaging and compelling enough to spur visitors to action. And in the case of business websites, that is to buy your product or service.
One of the benefits of publishing top-notch content on your website is that it will increase the number of visitors who find your website via search engines. Search engines love good content, especially when it’s updated frequently. Good content is the best way to get people to visit your website again and again.
Many business owners outsource the writing aspect of their website, leaving it to the professionals. A professional will know the most important elements of writing content for your website. They’ll know how to:
Most people have probably heard the term “content marketing,” but you might be unfamiliar with the concept. Content marketing has to do with creating and sharing media and content to acquire more customers. Content marketing takes many forms:
All of these are easily shareable on social media, making content marketing one of the best ways to promote your website and business. Posting relevant, valuable, updated information on your website will help position you as an expert—with the added bonus of improving your SEO. Having relevant content will also go a long way toward positioning you as an expert and building relationships with your audience. On social media, you can also interact with customers and learn more about what they want, which is invaluable for any business.
For best results, you need to syndicate, distribute, and promote newly published content through social media sites. Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn are the most popular. You don’t need to be on all of the sites; just choose the ones that make the most sense for your business and your audience.
There are other types of content to consider for your site that doesn’t come in the form of text. Videos on websites continue to grow in popularity, and the use of video is changing the way important messages are communicated. Website visitors want to get the information they are seeking as easily as possible—and nothing is easier than playing a short video to learn about your product or service. Videos provide a great way to engage with your audience and drive home crucial information in a format that requires minimal effort to digest.
Other noteworthy content can come in the form of illustrations, infographics, diagrams, and presentations/slide shows can be used to further clarify your message—especially if you are trying to explain a difficult concept that will help users make a decision.
As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words—and that is an essential tenet of web design. Keep in mind too that first impressions are important. Studies have shown that visitors to a website decide in a matter of seconds whether they’ll explore more of the site or leave and hop onto the next site. So your design should be something that will compel visitors to stay. It must be attractive, user-friendly, and engaging. The longer visitors stay on your website, the better. This tells search engines that your website is providing visitors with something of value.
The goal of effective web design is to work in harmony with your website content. The design should support your business’s brand and personality. Effective web design is more than just designing a site that looks good. Other factors must be considered, including the psychology behind certain colors and typography, to screen resolution and accessibility requirements. All of these elements should work together to engage and inspire visitors. And it can’t be said often enough: User-friendly mobile access has never been more important. According to a study by Statista, more than half of all web users in the beginning of 2021 accessed the web via their smartphones.
When you are working with a website designer, dig deep into their rationale for certain designs. Ask them why they are choosing certain colors and fonts. Never be afraid to ask questions!
If you’re looking to get started on your site, we invite you to contact Denver Website Designs. We can work with you on design as well as new content and ongoing content to help grow your business. We love helping our customers reap the rewards of a successful website design. Our team of professionals creates and launches between 10 and 15 blogs a month, and you view some of them here. Give us a call today and boost your business with an effective, compelling website design designed by pros who know what they are doing!