September 27, 2012
Last week, I wrote about how important it is to have a website up and running when you launch your company and shared a little background on what I was looking for when I created my website. This week, I wanted to share what I believe are the essential components of any successful website.
Consistent Branding: The look and feel of your website should be consistent across the board. Use the same suite of fonts and color scheme on each and every page. Make sure your logo/company name is prominently featured and is the same branding you use on your business card, signage, and other collateral.
Easy-to-Find Contact Information: Is it easy and intuitive for someone visiting your site to get in touch with you? I have my company email address displayed on multiple pages and also have a contact form that can be filled out. I can't tell you how invaluable it is to have that contact form! Many customers and retailers get in touch with me for the first time through that form.
Links to Social Media Sites: As I mentioned in past posts, using Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Pinterest are great ways to increase your exposure and connect with fans and colleagues. Make sure you have links to these sites on your website! I have widgets that run at the bottom of each page that link directly to my social media pages.
About Us: What's the story behind your business? What do you want potential and existing customers to know about your work? Visitors want to know that there's a human face behind the brand. Highlight your company's mission and any other essential facts you want visitors to know about you.
Good Product Photography: For someone like me, having great photographs of my stationery is essential to selling my product. I spend a lot of time working to have the best product photography possible that showcase my designs.
Clear Product Listings: Along with good photography, it's a wise idea to have well-written and clear descriptions alongside each product. Include information about size, how the product comes packaged, color choices, and any other essential information. Remember, people aren't able to touch the product they see online, so the more descriptive you can be, the better!