Setting up your first business website can be an incredibly important milestone in the life of any business. However, there are some things that you can’t forget when doing so. It can be so exciting to find a place for your logo and throw together product pages that you can sometimes forget some of the really necessary basics that go into creating a great website. Let’s take a look at what some of those might be.
Security
First up comes the security of the website. Any web designer worth their salt is going to put this in from the ground up, but those of us in the DIY route need to make sure that they have all the right framework in place too. Firstly, you need to make sure that your website is written in HTML5. This is the main programming language used for coding websites, and it is a vital first step in creating a safe place online.
On top of that, you also need to make sure that you have a valid SSL certificate, and that the site is secure. You want to be able to see a little padlock in the search bar next to the web address on your browser. Finally, you need to make sure that any e-commerce functions such as a checkout widget are properly secure and encrypted so your customer’s financial details are going to be kept safe.
Email Newsletters
If you have any sort of e-commerce function on your site, your customers are going to have to create accounts with you to best manage their orders. One of the add-ons that many brands slip into this registration process is the addition of an email newsletter subscription. Email newsletters are a handy way for you to keep in touch with your clients, and to let you push out promotions and other offers that your customers might want to take a look at.
Newsletters are easy to compose and even easier to send out thanks to bulk email software. They should be incorporated as part of your wider marketing scheme. They can also be personalized to fit the needs of each individual customer, potentially offering you some fantastic insight into the people who are shopping with you. Don’t forget to include this sign-up as part of the registration, and also include a box for subscriptions somewhere on your homepage too!
Mobile Optimization
Did you know that the vast majority of searches nowadays are made on mobile devices? You can instantly tell when a site has been designed with a mobile user in mind, and you need to make sure that you are able to attract the custom of these types of clients. A mobile-optimized site is a must, no matter what.
A site that has been specifically optimized for mobile will resize to best fit the device that it is viewed on. The writing might appear bigger than it would on a standard desktop webpage, and links are easy to click through. You need to ensure that any and all webpages on your site can be easily navigated by mobile users. If not, there is a strong chance that they could click off and go elsewhere.
An About Page
So many brands forget to include an about page on their site! Nowadays, people want to be able to learn more about brands before giving them their money. They could want to know more about the people at the heart of the business, or they could be looking for more information about a certain stance that the company takes.
Use an about page as a chance to sell your brand all over again. If you have certain processes that you want to share, this is the place to do them. Likewise, you should also explain any mission statements or promises that you want to make to your customers here. Finally, you need to make sure that you have links to your social media. It will begin to build you a following on these platforms and is a great start for building the relationship between you and a customer further.
Don’t Forget These Details!
All brands need to make sure they have the basics in place on their website. It does not matter what your industry might be, you need to ensure that you have everything in place for a successful website. The above points are a key part of this. You need to ensure that all the basics are in place on a website so you can then focus on delivering the best possible service or products to your customers. With the above points in hand, you will then be able to focus your attention on an aspect of your business that might need a lot more.
