We’re nearly into 2019 and despite the number of mobile apps, social media channels and even the emergence of blockchain, a company website is still the main way to truly create a long-term presence online and get new business through the door. So, with that in mind, we’ve highlighted what areas you need to focus on for 2019 to ensure you stand out from the crowd?
Focus on Security
Digital security breaches are on the rise globally. There are many things to consider from securing customer data to protecting your CMS login credentials. One thing that is a no brainer and will also help your customers to shop with confidence on your website is an SSL certificate. Technically, this means data transferred between your website server and your customers browser is secure. Visually, this will result in your website address beginning with https versus the unsecure http prefix.
Behind the scenes, Google’s algorithm is now giving priority to websites who have an SSL certificate which in turn will contribute to your search engine optimisation (SEO) ranking and also the click through rate now that popular browsers such as Chrome have begun displaying very visible alerts when unsecure websites are used. Security should always be a top priority, apart from financial losses reputation damage is often unrecoverable.
Content, Content, Content
To stand out in a crowded digital marketplace requires unique, fresh and engaging content. This means content focused on problems people have that your business can solve. Not only does this increase your overall credibility, it will also increase the chances that your website appears in more and more search results. If your website does not have a way to display article based content (typically referred to as a blog) then this is a crucial add-on to build immediately, along with being supported by an investment in quality content creation month on month.
Beef up your Speed
If your website does not load in under 5 seconds, it is likely half your users will leave before the page even loads! A sobering thought, particularly if you are paying for this traffic via advertising. The main culprits for slow websites are large file sizes such as images; unoptimised 3rd party scripts like Google Analytics running in the background and; the geographic distance of your website server to your users. Keeping on top of these issues will have a direct impact on how many of your users actually wait long enough to see your website.
A fresh modern look
The design of your website should not just be comparable in quality to your competitors but also to the most popular websites in use today, think Google, Facebook and Amazon. Like it or not, your user’s expectation of a website experience is set by the websites they use most frequently. So, keep an eye on emerging trends in digital design. This will ensure your users see your website as a place they feel comfortable to get the information they need.
Whether you have neglected your site for some time or recently redesigned it. Plan to focus on these areas into 2019 to prevent a costlier redesign in the future. Continual focus rather than a set and forget mentality will ensure your website is not only accessible and relevant at all times but also helpful, making you stand out from the crowd.
Sling Digital Difference
Sling Digital offers Australian small businesses a ‘tier 1’ digital service at a reasonable cost. Our goal is to build great relationships with a few trusted clients, working with them as an extension of their business, helping their business to grow.
If you are a small business needing help with anything digital related, we can help get you on a clear path to ongoing measurable success.
Call us on 0416 782 009 or email [email protected] if you want to chat about how we can help your small business.
