A successful website require time and investment. Your investment may be time or money, or a bit of both, depending on your skill set and resources. Here’s our guidelines for developing a strategy that produces success in the short-term, as well as future sustainability.
Purpose
Your website is the ultimate sales tool and must offer value to your business. Build your site for the user, with your business goal being top priority. What action do you want your audience to take? Perhaps your objective is for a purchase to be made, or to have users sign up for your newsletter, or contact you directly. Whatever your call-to-action may be, build your site accordingly. Your website page paths should focus on delivering that goal.
Functionality
One of the most crucial factors is usability. It’s impossible to know how your user will pass through your site, particularly if the navigation is illogical or your purpose is unclear. Ensure there is an efficient path that visitors may follow for your site. Your pages must be built with both your audience and purpose in mind. Focus on design and content, as well as the smaller details, such as text style and size.
SEO
Get back to the basics! Begin with quality content that entices your audience. Next, focus on the words you are using. Does your text match up with search engine queries? Test your keywords in order to understand what words to emphasis on your page. Online tools can help you master SEO but don’t fall victim to keyword abuse. At the end of the day, your content needs to be understandable to the reader and flow effortlessly. Search engines rules are constantly changing so you’re better off to focus your efforts on creating gripping, relevant content.
Data Analysis
There’s only one way you can determine if you’re hitting your goals and that’s by measuring your web traffic. The more skilled you become at measuring the appropriate things, the more successful your website can ultimately become. Site traffic isn’t the only data worth looking at. Hone in on unique visitors, devices used, time spent and conversions. Make changes based on your findings, re-measure and repeat, in order to ensure an optimum functioning site.
Quality Content
Is your message even worth reading? Ensure content is compelling, consistent and offers value. Consider your style of writing. Ask yourself – Is this readable? Personable? Does it make sense? Be sure to write for your audience and tell them exactly what they want to know. Providing original information that showcases your products and that provides value that your customers can’t find anywhere else will ensure they see your brand as an industry leader.
For example, creating product landing pages that give the customer everything they could possibly need to make a purchasing decision. Take the page showcasing a slot game at casino.com/ca/slots/who-wants-to-be-a-millionaire. The page provides an immediate incentive to join and start playing with a bonus. If the player wants more information about this particular game, they can scroll down and learn how the game works, their odds of winning and slots strategy that may give them a leg up.
You can use this same strategy with any of your product or service pages. Immediately give the visitor a call to action at the top of the page. This way, anyone who was ready to buy can easily take that action. Then use the rest of the page to provide your value proposition.
Operating a website can be a daunting, time consuming task. Just remember, profitable sites are more about quality, over quantity. You can absolutely be successful spending less money, as long as you streamline your efforts effectively.