When planning a website there are many things to think about, branding, information and user interface just a few of many. Due to the many aspects of web design, business owners can often overlook the implementation of some of the most simplistic and effective techniques.
When a user visits a website they will often have a question in mind, this could be something as simple as how do I contact the company? or do they provide a certain product or service?, It could also be why should I choose this company?. Answering these questions should be your main priority when developing your website. These 3 techniques will answer all these questions and give your business a better chance of being contacted by customers via your website.
Make it easy for people to contact you
Whether its a new or existing customer visiting your website, they are likely to want to contact you for further information, this is why its important to make the process as easy as possible, whilst at the same time offering them a variety of different contact methods.
Is your phone number visible on every page? - The top right hand side of a website is where most people will expect to find a phone number, being the area where the eye is attracted to when first visiting a site. This can be made clearer by incorporating an icon, perhaps that of a phone or handset which will further highlight the number to the user.
A phone number can also be clickable which is very handy for visitors using mobiles, a hyperlink to tel:00000000 can be made (where the zeros would be replaced by your number) which can also be tracked via Google analytics to monitor conversions.
Ensure you give the user enough choice when it comes to contacting you. Some customers like to pick up the phone whereas others like to fill out a form. Ensure you clearly show a contact form, email address and phone number.
You should always ensure your contact form is simple to fill in and not requiring too many details. If you need lots of information in order to draw up a quote then set-up an additional a quick contact form or request a callback form just to takedown basic details, you can then follow this up with a call to further the process.
Unique Selling Points – Why Choose your Business?
Often with new visitors they will take a look at several other websites offering the same services as your business and then make a decision based on what they see. One of the most important aspects on the homepage of your site should be your unique selling points. Tell people why they should choose you, it does not have to be done in such an obvious way, this can be through testimonials of satisfied clients or something your business offers that others dont.
First impressions count, show your company is the best its field and that it takes pride in what it does. Most importantly ensure your company comes across as friendly and approachable, dont give the user any reservations about contacting you.
Keep your site informative
A visitor will often want further information about your company, the services it provides and the process involved if they choose to pursue what it is your offering. When dealing with potentially new customers either over the phone or face to face make a note of some of the questions they have before committing to your services. Do they have questions about your industry? Or are they unsure on the process thats involved? Ensure you cover all of this on your website and answer any concerns they might have about moving forward with your services.
Give information on your site that is easy to digest and in the place your visitors will expect to find it, assign the correct information to each page of your website and keep it simple. Identify the journey the user will take when contacting your business so they know what to expect.
Rick Middleton
eFox Web Solutions
Rick Middleton
E-Fox Web
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