What Makes a Website Effective

As a business owner, you already know the value that a website brings. It’s the main hub for information about your business, your products/services are listed there, and it’s searchable online, making it a great marketing tool. Websites are super important! However, not all websites are created equal. There are lots of businesses that have a website, but it may not be as effective as it could be. So what exactly is it that takes an average website to an effective website?

Marie Forleo teaches in business school about “Websites that Sell and Don’t Suck.” She shares so much valuable information that I completely agree with. In my years as a business owner, I have seen all kinds of websites. In this blog post, I want to distill a few major things I know about using a website to make money online.

1. Your website needs good photography. When a potential client comes across your website, they don’t read all the information first, they skim. More importantly, they check out the photos! Their first impression will be from the images on your site. So make them look good! You may not be a photographer, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have nice, professional photos on your website. Invest in photography. It’s 100% worth it!

2. Your website needs clear Calls to Action. When someone goes to your site, they need immediate direction to keep them interested and invested in your business. This means you’ll need a big blinking pop-up that reads “CLICK HERE.” Then as the business owner, you need to decide where that click will take them, whether that’s an email list or an advertisement of your latest offering. Make sure it’s worth their time!

3. Your website needs personality. It’s a representation of you and your business, so it needs to look like you! You won’t be able to get away with using generic stock photography and bland calls to action. Your site needs some pizzazz! There is too much competition in the online marketplace for your website to be boring. You need things that are specific and distinct to you– your picture, a personal note, or something that shows the personality of your brand. 

4. Your website needs clear processes. If a potential customer is looking into a product or service, what kind of information is available to them? Show your customers what it means to work with or purchase from you. This is the time to market all the ways in which your product fills a need for any potential customers. Share how your offerings will help them! Don’t forget to be clear, concise, and honest. 

There are so many more ideas I could add to this list, including nitty-gritty things like marketing and SEO, but these four things are a great place to start! You don’t have to be a web designer to have an effective website. Start with what you have, and be professional! 

What else would you add to this list?