Why websites are important for business

Aug 6
08:10

2010

Annie Shark

Annie Shark

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Consumers make judgements based on web design everyday, and often these choices are intuitive. Sometimes it's not obvious whether a particular web design works better than another, until you see which one starts bringing in the cash. Many business owners have enough skill to put together a decent looking website, but often these just don't cut it against professional web design

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Consumers make judgements based on web design everyday,Why websites are important for business Articles and often these choices are intuitive. Sometimes it's not obvious whether a particular web design works better than another, until you see which one starts bringing in the cash. Many business owners have enough skill to put together a decent looking website, but often these just don't cut it against professional web design. The right web design takes special skill and talent to prepare - just like any other form of direct marketing. Like a television ad or a billboard poster, your web design should be ready to grab anyone that comes across it.

In today's world, your web design is often the first impression people come across of your business, so it's vital that your web design reflects your own corporate identity. Don't just mimic your competitors' web design! A skilled web designer can pinpoint the successful attributes of another website and incorporate them into your own web design - without just ripping it off. Companies that specialise in web design and website development will work with you to ensure your final web design represents your company in precisely the right light. This includes the design of your graphics, the overall layout, your logo and even the style of your content. Investing in a professional digital agency can mean the difference between a web design that flops, or one which works for you in the long-term.

When you're happy with the web design, you can start moving towards web development. Digital agencies usually handle most of this for you, however it's important to let them know exactly how you envision your website to work. The way your website functions should maximise your company's integrity and transparency. A consumer wants to feel that they understand how they are interacting with your business online, and any small oversight on this could see your consumer sentiment plummet. Your website should also do things a little differently from your competitors, but not too differently that you alienate your new customers. It's a fine line that professional web developers get right time and again.

The next thing your website must do for your business is start bringing in leads. This happens with the correct marketing strategy. Search engine marketing (SEM) is a huge industry these days, and with good reason. Every company wants their website to appear at the top of someone's online search. Good digital agencies will offer you the complete package from web design, construction and development, and finally website marketing and search engine optimisation (SEO). There are many different techniques of creating traffic to your website and letting it climb the search ranks, and these can be in the forms of link building, paid advertising, pay per click advertising (PPC), or social networking.

SEM and SEO are crucial for raking in customers and leads, however it's important not to discount the roles of web design and web development. All three work in conjunction with each other. There's no point in your website appearing on page one of Google if people just close it when they see your web design. People judge by appearance, and if your website doesn't look up to scratch then your business probably isn't worthwhile. Making the correct decisions in your online marketing campaigns will save you time and make you money in the long run - that's why it's smart to invest in proper website management and web design.