When I consult with clients on their websites I stress the importance of thinking about your website as a digital doorstep.
Imagine your lobby packed to the ceiling with junk... would that leave a good first impression? Nothing turns off a website visitor like cluttered page content!
Simplicity and cleanliness is the key to keeping the attention of your visitors. Much like your physical office, your website should be warm and welcoming. Keep reading to learn how you can reduce the clutter and increase your website's effectiveness.
Tip #1: Don't Talk Too Much
Time is valuable and attention spans are extremely short, when clients and prospects visit your website it's usually because they want more information on a product or service, or to simply verify your brand's trustworthiness.
Lots of text and information is often an unpleasant surprise that will immediately drive away attention. Try and keep your information short and to-the-point. Include important keywords or industry buzzwords, and make it easy for visitors to follow along. Utilizing pictures, graphics, and videos are also effective in keeping people on your website longer.
Tip #2: Don't Build a Million Doors
Imagine a long hallway flanked by 100 doors with small name placards. In order to explore all of these rooms, you would spend a lot of time walking in and out. This same analogy can be used for over-complicated websites.
Your website should maintain a simple hierarchy structure, make sure that no matter what page your visitor is on they know how to return to the Homepage or get to the Contact form. The easiest way to test your website's navigation is to visit it! Spend some time scrolling around, take notes on dead ends as well as confusing page layouts. Trust me, it's worth the time and it's an awesome opportunity to put yourself in your visitor's shoes.
Tip #3: Utilize the Footer
The footer portion of your website shows up the same on every page, and it reserved for some of the most important information.
Your footer should include a button or link redirecting visitors to your Contact form. Some footers even include address information, phone numbers, and emails. An effective footer allows visitors to easily navigate to your most important pages and is often an overlooked asset on a website's framework.
Daniel Marr is the Director of Business Development for NWPC Marketing Solutions, a team of marketing experts dedicated to helping you achieve your goals and BOOST your brand! Our awesome employees strive to build a culture of trust and commitment and work side-by-side with businesses as advisors and consultants.
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