We are in a digital era; it’s hard to ignore the impact the
web has on marketing and business processes. As the dependency on technology
increases, customers prefer to go
online to find out information about local businesses rather than picking up
the phone, or driving around looking for the right place. Any business that
does not have a well-designed, functional website risks losing tons of
potential clientele.
So What is GOOD Web Design?
It doesn’t necessarily mean extensive graphics, loads of
images, or content. A good designed web
site needs to be easy to look at, have a clear vision of what you and your
products/services are, and easy for a potential customer to maneuver and find
your location or contact info.
Digital Design vs. Print...
While print still has its place in today’s market, if you
are just starting out or do not have a large advertising budget, having a good
website, and online presence is much more cost effective. Along with being more economical, it is far
more likely that someone will Google your company or look you up on Facebook rather than look
at a print ad that has come in the mail.
Graphics, Content and Navigation...
Having nice and clean graphics, interesting to the eye, and
not obviously altered attracts customers and encourages trust in your company. Web
designs and graphics that look “thrown together ” are going to give the impression that you
really “don’t care” about your customers perception of your products or services.
The content that you have on your site, should be
interesting to read, to the point, and give the customer the information they
need to have trust in your products or services. Spelling and grammar errors are an instant
turn off and need to be corrected and evaluated BEFORE your site is live.
Links and all site buttons and menus should work, it is crucial
that you have all links, menus and buttons go to where they are stating and
there are no “error” pages that come up.
Logos...
As I have stated in my previous blog… a logo should be a
design that generates immediate recognition of brand, inspires trust,
admiration and loyalty in the brand. I can’t stress the importance of this and
the impact that brand recognition will have on your business. It creates a very
powerful image of your company and will stick in consumers’ minds. Logo design
is generally an inexpensive service, and it one of the first things you should have
designed for your company to start branding your identity. Your logo should be
on your website in numerous places and link to your home page.
Overall...
When a consumer visits a website, this is their impression
of the company; where they judge whether or not you are a viable and
trustworthy place for your products and/or services. This goes for large
corporations, or the little start up that is in the corner of your bedroom. A
good website will get calls and emails asking you for further information.
Thousands of small businesses have become success stories
only due to effective marketing of their websites. They have gained customers all
over the world through the effective use of digital design and marketing.
Word-of-mouth marketing can help your business gain a few local customers;
print media can increase that a little more, but it is a website that gives
full 24/7 exposure to your business at almost for much less than print
marketing. Combine a great website, to social networking and a bit of web
advertising, and you will be a digital company superstar before you know it!
Happy Thursday! ~A
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