How To Make Your Website Look More Professional

First impressions last forever. When someone lands on your website, what do you think their instinctive, gut reaction will be?

When it comes to website design, there are so many different styles and directions in which your website can go: it can be anywhere from classy to minimalistic, from playful and vibrant to sleek and modern.

here are some website tips to ensure that you’re going in the right direction in your redesign and are assuring you aren’t turning visitors away.

1. Mobile First Design: Make sure to optimize your site for mobile

Don’t forget about optimizing your site for mobile. If you don’t already know, 80% of internet users own a smartphone, and “Google says 61% of users are unlikely to return to a mobile site they had trouble accessing and 40% visit a competitor’s site instead”.

It’s important for your mobile site to have the same brand identity and personality as the desktop version, so it pays to design your desktop website in a way that can be easily and comfortably adapted for mobile.

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2. Consider Chatbots: Integrate automated chat to drive conversions

Messaging platforms are already outperforming every other type of app — in fact, 6 of the world’s top 10 mobile apps are messaging apps. So it’s only natural that marketers would begin to take this on board, using messaging technology to provide better customer service online. And the answer is bots — specifically, chatbots, which are automated, artificial intelligence-based chat messaging tools that are already driving higher conversions. When you visit a website that uses chatbots, a small chat window will open on the page, prompting you with questions or a conversation to engage and guide you to what you need. But it’s not a real customer rep — it’s a bot, programmed to give you a great customer service experience.

Chatbots are not just for big business. There are loads of chatbot providers you can use to easily create, customize, and implement chatbots on your website.

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3. SEO Rules: Make it easy for consumers to find you on search engines

Okay, so we know that SEO isn’t something you can see, but it is critical to creating a great website experience. Your SEO strategy will determine how easy (or difficult) it is for potential customers to find your website during a search. Don’t make the common marketing mistake of focusing only on your website design; rather, make sure to take into consideration how your website will perform on search engines. After all, what’s the point of having a professional-looking site, if no one can find it? So be sure to focus on creating SEO-strong titles and meta descriptions for all your web pages.

Remember, your SEO strategy will have a direct impact on the content and layout of your website, so it’s well worth your time to plan your SEO before you even start thinking about fonts and images.

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4. Redefine Simplicity: Keep it simple but make it exciting

No one likes a cluttered site — it’s hard to look at, and even harder to navigate. Your website should be kept clean and clutter-free, well organized, and great at directing users exactly where they need to go.

When designing your website, try to deliver an experience that your customers subconsciously expect — but don’t be boring! Shake it up a little, and express your brand’s individuality.

On the other hand, even a simple design should maintain certain expectations. Links are still links — and they’re placed in obvious eye-catching positions. Hamburger icons can still be used for drop-down menus. Keep it simple, but make it your unique kind of simple. Excite and intrigue your customers while making them feel comfortable and at home.

5. Background Images Catch the Eye: Make your homepage memorable

Most people are visually-oriented learners, rather than auditory or experiential learners. That probably explains part of the reason why 80% of people recall things they see, as opposed to just 20% who recall what they read. This is critical information to keep in mind when planning your homepage design. What kind of background will you use? Will it be a single color tone with a bold heading or an image that catches the eye? Whichever you choose, make sure it is in line with your business’s unique character and purpose.

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