During the COVID pandemic, web design has grown in importance. As fewer people found themselves stepping foot into brick and mortar stores, they began to opt for online retail, performing transactions from the comfort of their homes. The success of companies in this space hinged on numerous factors, chief among them the quality of their websites. One could make the argument that Long Island web design was more important than ever before.
Over the past several months, companies have learned valuable lessons in regard to web design and development. They have been able to make changes that not only provided better user experiences but yielded higher sales over time. In fact, it would be in the best interest of these companies to utilize this information moving forward. Here are just 5 of the lessons in the question that any Long Island web design company will stress.
Every Business Requires an Online Presence
For those that are deeply involved in digital media, this should be a no-brainer. From before to after COVID, an online presence is essential. Keep in mind that most of the information that the average user consumes is through digital media. For example, if someone frequents a particular hairdresser, they may find them on social media or click on their website to learn about new hours of operation moving forward. Not only does an online presence keep a company relevant but it will help them service customers in a remote fashion.
Make the Best First Impression
When a user lands on a website, whether it’s the homepage or one of its internal pages, the best first impression should be made. Is there prominent text that a user’s attention should be directed to at the onset? Does the page feature striking images that are not only easy to look at but able to reflect the brand associated with them? If a solid first impression isn’t made, it can result in the user clicking off sooner, resulting in an elevated bounce rate. To keep the bounce rate in question low, a website should immediately hook a user.
Ensure that Navigation is Simple
The average visitor will click off a website within seconds if they can’t quickly find what they need. Any company that specializes in Long Island website development will agree, which is where simple, streamlined navigation comes into play. Can a user find a navigation bar from the homepage? Does the navigation bar in question offer specific categories that will make the task of finding critical information easy? When it comes to providing the best user experience, navigation plays an imperative role.
Information Must Be Up to Date
With so much information that websites house, it’s essential that all details are up to date. Case and point, if there is a popular product that a company offers, its internal page should include relevant details. Everything from its stock to estimated delivery dates must be accounted for. If an individual attempts to make a purchase, only to be kicked back time and time again, they may not know that the product in question isn’t available. Companies with eCommerce platforms must keep this in mind.
Different Avenues of Outreach Should Be Utilized
When a company starts to build momentum, it will develop a dedicated user base. During COVID, mindful businesses have been proactive about their outreach efforts, as they will play into the traffic that websites generate. Such platforms include but aren’t limited to email newsletters and text messages. This level of outreach can be used for different purposes, such as informing customers about new operating hours or the provision of services including curbside pickup. A website will house necessary information and the aforementioned methods of outreach will be effective in directing consumers there.
Every Website Must Be Mobile-Friendly
Another factor to consider, concerning web design, is the use of mobile devices. Even though many people have been going out less often due to COVID, they will still have to venture out for the essentials, at the very least. Under these circumstances, mobile-friendly web design holds considerable weight. Numerous factors determine how well a website translates from desktop to mobile platforms. Image sizing, text spacing, and overall layouts are just a few components that will make a difference between a website that’s mobile-friendly and one that requires optimization.
Don’t Stop Adding Content
A website may have all the necessary product and internal pages, but this doesn’t mean that the job is done. Google and other search engines prioritize websites that consistently add content. In other words, the more content a site produces, the higher it’ll appear in search results. Such examples of content to include run the gamut from blog posts to infographics to testimonials. Some types of content will be more relevant than others, but its overall importance can’t be ignored.
