We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, your website is your storefront in the digital age. (Btw, you can read where we said it before, and before that, here & here). If it isn’t fine-tuned and working like a well-oiled machine, your customers will start looking elsewhere. So, it’s important to give them what they’re looking for and dress to impress!
Here are 5 signs that will give you a good indication that your website isn’t delivering:
1 – You can get a cup of coffee and take the dog for a walk before your page finishes loading.
Like most of us, your audience is accustomed to having what they want when they want it. No matter how cool that graphic is, they are not going to stick around to see it load and you’ll miss your opportunity entirely. In the digital world, simplicity, and speed, is key!
2 – Your website has a high bounce rate (defined by google analytics as the percentage of single-page visitors to a website)
If your percentage is consistently over 70% – your visitor may not have found what they were looking for, or the webpage was too difficult to use. Consult your marketing director or web developer on ways that you can deliver for your web visitors, keep them around longer, and watch your bounce rate rebound.
3 – Your website no longer reflects your brand
If you claim to be innovative and cutting edge, yet your website is anything but, it creates a major disconnect. (Check out these tips for cohesive messaging!) We suggest inviting friends and family to use your site. Watch them and see if their experience reflects your intentions. If not, congrats, you’ve found another opportunity for positive growth!
4 – It’s been more than 3-5 years since you updated your website
Like fashion trends, digital trends and gadgets get outdated quickly, and your website needs to keep pace. If we’re talking “storefront” terms, consider your website your merchandising. It’s important to keep it on brand, but also freshen things up from time to time.
5 – …. Nevermind, if you’ve read this far, and can relate to any of these things, you probably already know the answer. There’s no need to drag things out.
Recognizing any of these things is a great step forward! It’s also the first step in creating a website that attracts, engages, AND guides visitors to take action – just like they would if they were in your physical storefront. If you’re not sure what next steps to take, or if you’re ready to dig in, give us a call or shoot us an email; we will provide an honest evaluation of your site and craft a plan to help you reach your digital storefront goals!