Chipping paint, a trash-laden lot, and dated décor are all obvious signs that a business that has been neglected, but your website might be communicating the same message.
- 1. Your Website has an Intro Page
At one point it was appealing to have a flashy intro page leading into your website; now, it is not. An intro page can deter visitors from arriving on your website. It is likely that your visitor has come to your website for a specific reason, don’t add an obstacle to their search.
2. Your Website Doesn’t Display Correctly in the Newest Browsers
Every time a new browser enters the market they place certain expectations on a website. If your site is using old technology it probably won’t display correctly because current browsers expect that your code is written to today’s standards.
3. Your Website Takes Longer Than 5 Seconds to Load
Patience is not a virtue on the web. Your visitor doesn’t want to wait five seconds to get the information they need. In addition to frustrating your visitor, Google and other search engines will penalize your site’s rankings for long load times. One of the many factors that Google considers when ranking a website is load time.
4. Your Website Visits Resemble that of a Ghost Town
When was the last time someone actually spent time on your site? Visit your statistical data to see how many visits a certain page is receiving. It is also important to see how long that visitor is spending on the page. Are they looking at the information or leaving the site right away?
5. Your Website is Nowhere to be Found in the Search Engines
Pew Internet states that 92% of adult Internet users find information through a search engine. If you’re not making search engine optimization a priority you’re missing a very large opportunity.
6. You Show No Sign of Social Media
Social media is no longer reserved for retail and big business. As social media has grown it has also become more relevant to the small business owner. Having a social presence is also becoming a growing factor in search. Now, there is a platform of importance for every industry to grow their business online.
7. Your Website Doesn’t have a Strong Call to Action
Is your home page a mass of information or do you provide your visitor with direction? Make sure you are taking advantage of the real estate on your home page by providing a strong call to action.
8. Your Website Isn’t Compatible with Non-Flash Enabled Devices
It’s safe to say iPads and iPhones are utilized by a vast amount of people to browse the web. Neither device can read Flash and both use different sized browsers. If you haven’t made specific allowances for these devices it may be time to make the move.
9. Your Current Brand Image Differs From Your Website
Continuity is important when protecting and growing your brand. Everything from e-newsletters to print ads should reflect the same look and feel. Each form of marketing should work together and support each other.
10. Your Website Still Has Images of Old Employees
Including images of your employees is one way to convey the atmosphere of your business. Including images of old employees is providing an entirely different message.
Is your website guilty of any of these signs? Starkmedia can help.
