Trends change quickly in the online world. That’s why, if you’re a small business owner, it’s important you don’t let your website become outdated. Cyber Sushi Design, the professional family-run web design and internet marketing company in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, is here to tell you about the evolving expectations surrounding design, search engines, social media and more.
Did you know… a website should get a full redesign every 2-3 years? Even sooner if traffic starts to stagnate or pages are slow to load.
If you’re a small business owner, most likely you have a website. If not, why not? But let’s assume you do, when was the last time it was updated?
Websites need to move with the times. Trends come and go at an alarming rate, if you’re not keeping up you could be losing business. Go take a look at your website right now, and carry out the following tests.
If you’ve answered any of these questions negatively, you have two options:
In 2022, your website must be mobile-friendly because the majority of internet users are accessing online content on the go using mobile devices. If visitors are unable to read your website with ease, it’s probable they will head over to a competitor’s site swiftly.
If your site utilises pop-ups prompting visitors to take action as soon as they land on your site, chances are many will find these irksome. Avoid giving visitors the ick and keep pop-ups to a minimum and always make sure the close option is obvious.
Good websites are optimised for search engines. There are three types of SEO – technical, off-page and on-page. For your website to rank well on Google all three need to be taken into consideration.
Technical SEO focuses on things like page speed and site security – does your website have an SSL certificate?
Off-page SEO concentrates on elements such as link building and sharing to relevant channels away from your website.
On-page SEO looks at keywords, page structure and metadata.
Design trends are constantly evolving. When enlisting a new design there are a few things you should consider.
Logo design: Does your logo need modifying? Is it easy to use across social media posts and marketing collateral?
Colours: The colours you use in your branding can affect the way your brand is perceived. Colour psychology is a thing. And it focuses on the impact colours can have on consumers in building an impression of a brand. Have you ever wondered why many brands are Facebook blue? Allegedly it’s because blue is a calming colour that invokes trust. We’ll let you determine what you think of that. But check out this article on the impact of brand colours on consumer perception to discover more.
Page Layout: How you layout your pages will determine whether people will stick around. People typically skim-read websites, particularly if they are on the go or short on time. Too much heavy text can cause visitors to click away in the hope of finding clear, succinct content that gets to the point. Including heading, videos, infographics and images that illustrate your points clearly, will also direct readers to the sections they need to visit.
Are you linking to your social media accounts? You must have a social media presence to drive engagement with your brand. Making these accessible from your website is a no-brainer. It’s also a good idea to make it possible for your blog posts to be shareable to social media to gain your small business much needed exposure.
As a small business owner, it is essential to review your website on a regular basis. At least every three months.
If you have used a website builder such as Wix to cut costs, when you have the funds, we highly recommend you seek the help of a professional web designer to build you a bespoke website that does your website justice. While DIY website builders will allow you to make updates when necessary, you will find certain functions limited in the ability to maximise the potential of your website online.
Need help? We are Cyber Sushi Design, the professional, family-run web design and internet marketing business based in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.
We offer web design packages for the varying needs of different business types. So, whether you’re making cutbacks and need a simple makeover, you’re a start-up starting from scratch or you’re an established band requiring the full works, we have a package to suit your needs.
Talk to us today, call 01494 356 778 and discover how we can set your business on the path to online success.