Custom web design can boost your business.

It's more common for people to start a search for your product or service on the web, yet many business owners haven't adapted.

Up to 45% of small business owners don't have a website for their business.

If you're looking for ways to improve your company's bottom line, keep reading to learn how custom web design can help.


What Makes a Good Website

There are some core elements that make a great website. The first is the overall design of the website. You want to make sure the visuals create positive feelings for your users.

You can do that through the use of color, fonts, and how whitespace is used.

The content on your site should be relevant to your customers and potential customers. The content should showcase the benefits of using your business.

Navigation is also a factor in what makes a good website design. You want to make it as easy as possible to find information. You want to make sure that the menus aren't cluttered.

Most websites will have the navigation menu on the top or on the left. That's what your website visitors will expect.

Your website also needs to take into account mobile access. As most website traffic is driven by mobile searches, your website needs to be responsive. That means that it will automatically respond to any device that accesses the site.

Finally, your website needs to have calls to action. You have no way of following up with your website visitors unless you capture their information. You're going to want them to take some kind of action. That could be signing up for a newsletter, downloading an ebook, or making a purchase.

If you have several calls to action on one page, people won't take action because you gave them a choice. It's best practice to have one call to action on each page.
 

Custom Web Design Builds Trust

In order for people to buy from you, they have to know you, like you and trust you. Your website builds trust with people within seconds of visiting.

One study from the University of Missouri found that it only takes 2.6 seconds to make an impression of your business based on your website.

Another study by Derek Halpern of Social Triggers took 15 participants through a series of health websites. The study should how important design is to building trust.

When participants came across a website they didn't trust, they cited the "look and feel" of the sites 94% of the time.
 

Custom Web Design Helps Close Referral Customers

Does your business owe its success to repeat and referral customers?

If it does, then it's critical to have a well-designed website to build trust.

When a person is asking for recommendations for a product or service, they'll ask their friends and they may pose the question on social media.

They'll receive a few recommendations and then they'll continue their research online and visit the businesses' websites. If they go to a website that doesn't give a good first impression, they will automatically rule that business out.

They may have to go to your website to get your contact information. If they cant easily find the information they're looking for, they may move on to the next company.

You want to make sure that your custom web design comes across as professional.
 

Custom Web Design Helps Retain Customers

For those who are already customers, you want to give them a reason to return to your website.

You can do that by continuously adding value to your website. A blog is a great tool to share information, educate customers, and show your expertise on a topic.

You also want to stay top of mind with customers. That's where a social media and an SEO campaign can keep your business in front of your customers.
 

A Website Can Attract New Customers

You're already aware of how website design can build trust, retain customers and close referral customers.

What about those who come across your business for the first time?

One-way people find your website is through search engines. That's the starting point for most consumers. How can you be sure that your business is found? By designing your website with SEO in mind.

A custom web design will consider the current trends in SEO.

For example, site speed and responsiveness have become factors in determining search results. In fact, Google is launching a mobile first-index, meaning that it will base search results on the mobile version of your website.

If you don't have a mobile version of your site, you won't be found by Google. That will make it very difficult for people to find you online.
 

Your Website is an Extension of Your Brand

Your brand isn't your logo. Your brand is the feeling that people will experience when they use your product or service.

For example, Pepsi doesn't sell soda, they sell cool. Volvo doesn't sell cars, but safety.

Your website needs to convey an image of what you do, and how people will feel when they work with your organization.

Is your company serious, or do you like to have fun? Is your company targeted towards adults or do you work with kids? What makes you different from every other company out there?

These questions should be answered through the visuals and content on your website.
 

Custom Web Design Helps Your Business

Your website's design matters when it comes to finding new customers, getting referral customers, and retaining customers.

The design is all about making a critical first impression, which can lead people to trust you and do business with you.

If you're building a new site or redesigning your current one, you want to be sure that your design conveys a sense of professionalism and quality.

At Optuno, we've helped thousands of businesses build and market their websites. Our plans include design, hosting, and maintenance for basic or e-commerce websites.

Check out our website plans today.