If you want your business to survive the present and the future, you can no longer ignore the internet. More consumers are doing their shopping online, preferring e-commerce sites over driving to a store to purchase an item.
In the United States, experts predict that there will be 300 million online shoppers by 2023. That is over 90% of the entire American population.
People around the world, too, are increasingly becoming online shoppers.
That is why, now more than ever, it is important to create a website that will entice customers to make a purchase. It is time to look into web developer outsourcing to find talent that will introduce these features to your website.
Mobile Website
Perhaps, one of the most important features that your website needs is mobile compatibility. Everyone has a smartphone nowadays, and they are accessing the internet through small screens. Some even use their smartwatches to browse the web.
Your website should, therefore, be able to adapt to different sizes and shapes of screens. Otherwise, it might turn away potential customers.
A website with a responsive design is able to scale up or down images and layouts so that, when a consumer looks at it on their smartphone or tablet, they can still see the media and information without a problem. No missing words nor distorted images.
Easy Navigation
When a customer is browsing your site, they should be able to find what they are looking for. So, make sure to label every crucial page on your site. The user should be able to see and understand where to click if they need your business contact information or, if they have questions, they should head to the FAQ.
Every page should have a logical label. This is not the time to be cryptic or be gimmicky. There are people who are navigating your website for the first time. They should be able to find their way around.
Online Security
The internet is not a safe place. There are a lot of individuals and groups that want to take advantage of vulnerabilities to steal money and information from you and your customers.
You need to guarantee that every transaction that happens on your website is safe and secure. Consumers are trusting you with their personal and financial data, so you should acquire SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates for your website. It will encrypt communication, preventing theft on the web.
Social Media Integration
For many people, social media is the entire internet. It is where they look for products to purchase, read and give reviews, etc.
Your website should also promote your social media pages. Link your Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, or any social platform that you have. It is a way for your consumers to be updated on sales and promotions, new products, and other news about your business. It will also boost your search engine optimization (SEO).
Who You Are
Finally, there should be a little space in your website where you can introduce your business, provide crucial information, and other details that the consumers would want to know.
Depending on your business, there might be more information that your website needs to list. For example, restaurants should have a menu and address (with a map).
Keep it short and engaging.
Put yourself in the shoes of your target audience. What features will be most useful to you? Keep it simple at first. If you need to, you may add more features after.
