subject: Top 5 Factors Of A Successful Website [print this page] For a business, an effective online presence starts with a successful website, one that brings in the most possible interactive and targeted visitors that turn into customers. With such advanced technology, it can be easy for a business to start a website, but time and effort are necessary for its success.
These 5 key factors form the foundation of a successful website:
1. Memorable Logo Design and Brand
For such a small image, your logo design holds a lot of weight for marketing because it's the basis of your company brand, especially on the Internet. Your business is remembered and recognized through your logo design both online (through your website and social media identities) and offline. By prominently displaying your logo on your website, you send the message that people have come to the right place. The other features of your brand from your company name to company colors should tie right in with your logo in how they are expressed through your website. This consistent overall image is a powerful symbol of your business' professionalism and positive reputation.
2. Clear Mission
Is it clear what your website and company are all about within a few seconds of seeing your homepage? A few seconds is all you have to build a stellar first impression with prospects who decide whether or not they'll stay and look around. Even your logo design should be a symbol of your company's purpose. Spend the most time brainstorming how you want to present your business in an "About" page, which is typically the most visited page of a website. This key page may be accompanied by separate pages that detail your company's mission statement and values. Aside from these critical web pages, strategize what people will see above the fold upon entering the website. Is your call to action there? Is it clear what you offer, why your website exists and how you benefit prospects?
3. Frequent High Quality, Useful Content
Captivating and helpful website content posted regularly plays three roles: it's the foundation of search engine optimization (SEO) to increase your website's search engine ranking and website traffic, it earns the respect of your visitors, and it keeps people coming back. There's a cycling benefit of quality content because the more people who visit and share your website content, the better your search engine ranking and chances of getting seen. Your website content should be more than just sales copy because informative copy that establishes your expertise in your field is the way to truly impress and keep customers.
4. User-Friendly Website Design
An effective website design is simple and easy to use. Navigation and contact information should be easy to find and access on all pages of the website. One navigational menu (possibly with submenus) is often sufficient for a business. Too much information can be overwhelming, so make sure that each page has only one or two clearly visible focal points or important aspects that attract visitors' attention.
5. Web Analytics
Web analytics tools are so powerful and comprehensive these days that you can use them to easily find out which components of your website are and aren't working. There are typically options to find out what keywords visitors are searching to arrive at your website, what content is being shared the most, how many visitors you had on any given day and much more. Many web analytics tools also allow you to compare and test marketing campaigns. For example, you may use the web analytics tool to design an experiment that displays different versions of your logo design to different groups of people. All this valuable information serves to provide you with feedback on your marketing techniques and inform you of where you can make relevant modifications.
