We’ve all seen something shiny and attractive in the store or when shopping online and bought it solely based on how it looked. But when we went to use it, it broke, or didn’t work as expected, and after a few minutes, it ended up in the trash. Your website is very similar. You want a potential customer to have that “ooh, shiny” moment, but if your site isn’t effective at reaching customers and making it easy for them to do what they came to do, it might as well be trash. Your digital storefront is your online persona. It needs to be both an effective site and aesthetically pleasing to be successful in today’s world, and we’ll explain why:
First, an effective website is one that is designed with the UX, or user experience, in mind. This means that it is easy to navigate, has clear calls-to-action, and loads quickly. A website that is difficult to navigate or takes too long to load will frustrate users and drive them away from your site. According to Google, if a page takes longer than three seconds to load, over half of users will leave the site. Can you imagine losing half of your potential customers as simply as that? Optimizing the immediate online experience is a priority for any serious small business owner, and something that Venture Rich takes very seriously.
Another primary aspect of an effective online presence is a website that is optimized for search engines. This means that it is designed with search engine optimization (SEO) in mind, making it easier for potential customers to find your website when searching for relevant keywords. An SEO-friendly website will have relevant content, optimized images, and proper use of header tags, among other factors. This is an ever-evolving process, as Google and other search engines change their algorithms and rules constantly, and unless you have a developer working for you who knows and understands the rules, you risk being dropped in the rankings. It’s also important to have consistent evergreen content being created for your site, as organic content resonates the best with visitors and is rewarded by search engines. If you don’t have the time to create that content, you’ll want to find a company like Venture Rich to provide the service for you.
Having an effective website is crucial, but if it’s ugly, it will be a detriment to your potential business as well. The visual appearance of your website greatly impacts the first impression that potential customers have of your business. A visually appealing website shows that your business is professional and trustworthy, while an outdated or poorly designed website can give the impression that your business is out of business, poorly run or managed, or just not credible.
In addition, an aesthetically pleasing website can help to establish your brand identity. Your website is an extension of your brand, and the design should reflect your brand values and personality. For example, if your business is a luxury fashion brand, your website should reflect that through the use of high-quality images, elegant typography, and a sleek design. On the other hand, if your business is a children’s toy store, your website should have a playful and colorful design that appeals to children and parents alike.
Another reason why aesthetics matter is that it can help to differentiate your business from competitors. A well-designed website can help your business stand out from competitors, making it easier for potential customers to choose your business over others. By having a unique and memorable website design, you can leave a lasting impression on users and encourage them to return to your site.
And on a statistical level, an aesthetically pleasing website helps to increase user engagement and time spent on the site. When a website is visually appealing, users are more likely to stay on the site longer and explore more pages. This can lead to increased conversions and sales, as users have more time to learn about your products or services and make a purchase.
Have you had a professional assess your current site? Or are you looking to build your site for the first time? Venture Rich provides expertise in the field of giving your site that “ooh shiny” look that makes everyone want to play with it while also putting in the effort behind the scenes to make it highly effective as a sales and marketing tool. If you’re going to succeed in business, you need both, and we can help.
