Spring cleaning isn’t just for houses…websites need some freshening up, too!  As technology evolves, your website should be updated to current standards.

Here are five tips to help your site puts its freshest face forward:

Tip #1:   Make sure your site is aligned with your business strategy – make it more of an interactive tool and less of a brochure.*

Think of this as the difference between a simple, template-based site design listing your company information, services or products offered, etc. vs. a site design that allows for feedback, provides links to valuable resources, and facilitates online communication.
*More on this tip next week.

Tip #2:   Know how your clients are interacting with your brand online and via mobile devices…research, research, research! Make any necessary adjustments and improvements based on your findings.

How often have you tried to access a site from your phone, only to find that you can’t click on all of the buttons or navigate to the page you want to be on?  Imagine this happening to one of your clients who is particularly busy and cannot wait to get to an actual computer to access your site.  Maintain your clients’ loyalty by ensuring they can easily access your site from any platform, anywhere, anytime.

 
Tip #3:  Check to ensure that your site is integrating the most current technologies.

Is your site design responsive – adapting to and looking sharp no matter which platform it is being viewed in?  Doyou have app-style interfaces?  Check out 10 Web Design Trends for 2013

Tip #4:  Does your website have great design that is unique to your brand equity?  Make sure your design is fresh and communicates and strengthens your brand.

Sometimes it is helpful to take a quick poll – ask family, friends, and clients what they think of your website design on a scale of 1-5.  If anyone responds with a number lower than 5, ask them what it would take for the design to become a 5 for them.  Chances are, your accumulated responses will reveal where improvements can be made.

 
Tip #5:  Get the highest traffic flow possible with expert SEO/SEM.  Tie in social media for an added search strategy boost.

These days, everyone concurs that businesses need to have an online presence, but simply having a great website is not enough to grow your business.  Your website needs traffic!  Before the internet, people opened storefronts and used window displays to attract and engage customers.  Customers had to know where the storefront was, though…and the most intriguing window display wouldn’t help attract business if it were located on a side street that no one could find.

Spring is a great time to check in with your website design and make sure it is working as efficiently as possible for your business.  Too busy for Spring cleaning?  The team at Reversed Out can do the dirty work for you.  Drop us a line here.

Next week we will roll up our sleeves and take a closer look at Tip #1 and how it can increase your business.