In the past few months Alexander’s has undergone a website overhaul, with the hope of improving our customer’s online experience. As the marketing and IT teams discuss the desired changes and process of building and editing the site, I’ve been thinking about why so many businesses aren’t using, or optimizing their websites.

Unsurprisingly, more than 57% of businesses have acquired a customer through their website. However, the majority of businesses aren’t following key steps to help customers navigate their site, or buy their products. Additionally, many businesses with websites fail to update them regularly, or optimize the content for search engines.

So with a little help from our marketing team, I have compiled a list of 5 tips for improving your website.

1. Make navigation simple

Site visitors should be able to view simple text links and tabs that will lead them to the information they need. Your website will undoubtedly hold more content than the average visitor wants, so help them find what they’re looking, without making them sort through needless information. If necessary, consider redrawing your sitemap to make this navigation easier.

2. Make your website mobile friendly

More than half of smartphone users are using their mobile devices to shop online. However, the majority of businesses and companies don’t have mobile friendly websites. Smartphone users aren’t likely to spend time on your website if you don’t utilize a plug-in or set-up that makes viewing your website easy. Consider one of these 3 plug-ins to make your website mobile friendly.

3. Never skip search engine optimization

Good website design and mapping keeps people clicking through your website, but SEO brings people to your site. SEO can seem tedious and daunting, but even simple keyword research will boost search results immensely. For more SEO tips, read more on our blog here or here.

4. Use updated images and photos

While it’s important to have sufficient and easy-to-read text on your website, images speak louder than words. Good images should be updated and modern. I recently heard something good about a company, so I hopped online to view their website. When I clicked on their page, it looked like nothing had been updated for ten years. I spent about thirty seconds, then left their site. I was underwhelmed and unimpressed. Don’t let your website do that to people. If necessary, hire someone to help build you an updated site.

5. List contact information on the home page

All too often companies or businesses don’t list their phone number, email or address on the home page. Instead, viewers have to slog through pages to find a way to contact the business directly. Be sure to make this information easy to find. I would also consider adding a contact form to your website. This adds another simple channel for customers and prospects to contact you.

The website redesign process may be as simple as implementing keywords into your content, or it may involve a complete overhaul.

Let us know if you need help redesigning, optimizing or creating content – we do all of that. And best of luck as you work to optimize your website and its content.