How to Get More Business from your Website

by: Nika Stewart

When I made some simple changes to my website, I got more business. Here are some quick, easy tips to make your website more effective:

• Use a great headline
  An effective headline will intrigue your potential customers and compel them to read on. Make sure you place the headline at the top of the web page, so visitors see it before they have to do any scrolling.
• Avoid blinking or scrolling text
  Although it is sometimes tempting to use these "gadgets," animated text is distracting and can appear outdated.
• Make sure your home page is not too "heavy"
  If you include photos, keep them small in size so they load quickly. If they take more than three seconds to load, you've lost visitors before the photos appear.
• Make it easy to find information
  Put as much information as you can on your home page. Don't make visitors click around to find what they are looking for. If they get frustrated, they will leave.
• Use a light background with dark text
  You want your site easy to read, and it is much easier to read dark text on a light background (contrast).
• Put your contact info on the top and bottom of every page
  Make it as easy as possible for people to find and call you.
• Use a spell checker and check your grammar
  When I see typos and obvious mistakes on a website, I immediately think less of the company. Don't let that happen to you. Don't let your website be a fanny pack! (read Are You Wearing a Fanny Pack?)