With the new year, companies may think of how they can improve their performance, especially how they can be more responsive to their customers. One of the ways companies may do this is by redesigning their website.
What is the first impression a potential customer will have when visiting a company’s website? What does it convey? These are two concerns that must be answered in redesigning your website. But there are more.
Although a website cannot replace the value and service a company must provide in order to keep customers returning, having a well-designed and updated website is vital for a company’s success. However, redesigning your website takes time and precious money.
Sometimes, companies have invested significant sums of money and time into redesigning their websites, only to see no improvement in sales and failure to even engage their target audience. They may not have asked themselves if the website easily navigable and if consumers can find the information they are looking for. Here are some questions one should consider before spending valuable money into redesigning your website.
1. Is your website old or outdated?
First impression is everything. Looks matter. We cannot escape this truth. Potential
customers who encounter a company’s website that looks as if it was created over a decade ago using Frontpage will be left with a negative impression about the company itself and will be less likely to stay on the company’s page.
2. Can your consumers find the information they want, and quickly?
Can consumers find the information they are looking for without any – or the least possible – hassle? If consumers cannot find specific information they are searching for in two or three clicks, they will leave. Admittedly, we are impatient, we want to get what we came for and move on as soon as possible.
3. Is your website easily navigable?
Will your target audience encounter major challenges when navigating your website? All websites need some tweaking, but if your website proves too difficult for customers to navigate, has too many distractions, is too busy, and sends them in a maze, they will leave.
4. Is your website mobile friendly?
More and more, consumers are using mobile for everything from retail transactions, restaurant and travel reservations, medical appointments, and other purposes. It is vital to have a website that is mobile friendly. Mobile interaction will continue to increase as consumers remain constantly on the go, as well as the main reason – the mobile phone is always in their hands.
