Common Small Business Web Design Myths Busted
If you’re reading this, you’re already convinced of the most important part: your small business needs a high-quality website. What you may be wondering is just how accurate your current web design knowledge is. Should you have a live chat option? Can you just write content yourself? Does it really matter what the site looks like, as long as it functions? (That last one’s a no, by the way.)
As the internet has evolved, so too have standards and trends in small business website design – and they never stop. In this post, we’ll explore and bust some common myths almost every small business owner has heard.
Myth #1: Your website is “Set it and forget it.”
Nope. To stay relevant (and rank in Google results), your website needs to be regularly updated. Change up the text and images at minimum, making sure that all the information is up to date and reflective of current policies and pricing, and that the content “speaks” to today’s consumer. A robust SEO strategy will help inform the content updates you make.
And don’t forget updates to design and functionality. Yesterday’s customers may have had no need to pay online; today, it’s absolutely essential. Similarly, a look that worked a few years ago may now seem stale and outdated. Periodic overhauls will keep your site looking fresh and attracting more visitors.
Myth #2: A business can be too small for a website.
Definitely not. In fact, in 2016 there were already 25 million American small business owners, and that number has continued to rise in the wake of mass layoffs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A one-person shop, such as a solo consultant, is extremely common. Those businesses aren’t any less in need of a strong, compelling online presence than Fortune 500 companies. The web is where your customers are. Meet them there no matter how small you are.
Myth #3: A beautiful website guarantees more traffic.
No, but wouldn’t that be nice? If you build it, they might come, but chances are they won’t – unless you’ve got killer content to complement that beautiful design. And even then, it takes time. It can be disappointing when a new website doesn’t immediately translate into new site visitors and sales, but remember: it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Your small business website needs to “prove” to Google and prospective customers that it’s a reputable, valuable source of consistently relevant information.
Myth #4: Your home page is the most important part of the website.
You’d think so, wouldn’t you? In reality, however, while it’s certainly one of the most viewed website pages (and key in forming first impressions), it’s not necessarily the deciding factor in conversions. Google directs traffic to the page on a website that is most likely to answer the searcher’s query; for
example, “Does XYZ Company sell purple widgets?” would probably lead to XYZ Company’s “Products” page rather than its home page. That’s why it’s so crucial to keep all your content up to date: you never know when a search query will ask for more than your home page can deliver.
Pro tip: Use Google Analytics to find out which pages on your website are drawing the most traffic.
Designing beautiful and effective small business websites for Atlanta business owners is what we do, and we can do it for you! Get in touch today and let’s work together to create the perfect online storefront for your business.
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