5 Web Design Mistakes to Avoid on your Small Business Website

Running a small business is challenging in the best of times; a sluggish economy makes operating a successful business even more difficult. Cost cutting only goes so far, and at some point; increasing revenue is the only way to ensure the success, if not outright survival, of your small business.

In today’s competitive business climate, an online presence is all but essential if you want to be able to build your brand, attract new customers and retain those you already have; in short, you need a web presence to compete. Many small business owners shy away from building a website, fearful that the technology involved may be too complicated. Fortunately for you, it turns out that this isn’t true..

Although not as difficult as many people think, there is some work involved in creating and updating a website. There are potential pitfalls you can avoid by planning well and following these guidelines.

1. Too complicated. Keep it simple. Your website should convey who you are to potential customers while giving your existing clients the comfort that you are who they think you are. Nothing too fancy. Studies have shown that a webpage has three seconds to make an impression that will hold the viewers attention. If that’s not accomplished, that person clicks away and may never return.
2. A giant wall of text. Size Matters – among other things, font size. The size of the user’s browser window and how much text you put on each page. Each of these factors impact the experience of visitors to your page. If your site is hard to use, hard to read or just has too much to look at, the experience will not be pleasant.
3. “I’m not lost, but I don’t know where I am”. Too often, websites are difficult to navigate. Don’t have too many separate pages and be sure that your contact information is easy to find!
4. Spelling counts. Proofread for errors in spelling and grammar. If you spell the wrong word the right way spell check thinks it’s fine. Put fresh eyes on it – get someone other than you to look at your words too. Your business may be small, but you’re no amateur, remember?
5. “If you build it, they will come… maybe”. Once your site is built, it doesn’t mean you’re done. Your site will be of no use if no one visits it. Embrace those inbound marketing techniques that will help you “get found”. Get the word out. Publish it on Google, Facebook, your local paper, Twitter or any other method of communication you use.