A 2013 survey by the National Small Business Association found that an incredible 82 percent of small businesses have a website for their goods or services. If you’re part of this tech-savvy group, and we hope you are, you’re probably looking for ways to improve your web design, particularly if you’ve noticed a decrease in online traffic.
A well-designed business website not only sends the message that you are a company that cares, but also makes it easier for your potential customers to connect with you. You don’t have to be a programmer or a web-designer to create a beautiful and creative small business website.
Add a Video to Your Landing Page
Make your homepage pop with stock footage. An eye-catching video can quickly explain what your company is all about, without the need for a wall of text. Since some audiences have a shorter attention span than a goldfish (eight seconds versus nine seconds to be exact), relaying information as efficiently as possible is important, states the National Center for Biotechnology Information.
In other words, you only have a few seconds before your visitor turns his or her attention elsewhere, so make them count! According to Unbounce, an effective landing page video is written with the target audience in mind, identifies with the customer, clearly shows the product or service and always ends with a call to attention.
Implement a Large Hero Area
However, if you’re not a fan of video and would prefer to use only text on your website, the next best thing to do is create a large hero area. A large hero area is an image with little amount of text at the top of a website, explains The Next Web. Everything above the fold (what you see before you scroll) is imperative to your brand and should include a tagline that explains what your small business is offering, whether it’s a window cleaning service or women’s luxury shoes.
Use Effective Typography
You might think Times New Roman is the ideal font to use for your website, but in reality the best typeface to use is one that is both easy to read and represents your brand. First, choose whether you prefer a font with serif (Georgia) or sans serif (Helvetica), according to Yola.
Serif fonts are used to give off a traditional, reliable aura while sans serif fonts are considered modern and clean, explains Crazyegg.com. Use only two or three types of fonts max, one for the headlines and one for the body, to keep your website design organized and easy to understand.
Opt For a Single Column
A website with a single column puts all your info front and center. Previously, it was common to have multiple columns to separate information but the advent of the smartphone and tablet has increased the popularity of using one column, since it tends to be more mobile-friendly. Modernize your website with a one column design with simple CSS or, select a web development platform with pre-made layouts that offer mobile compatibility.
Choose the Right Colors
Before you choose your website’s color palette, you’ll need to decide between a flat or skeumorphic web design. You’re probably wondering if I’m even speaking English right now. Simply put, flat web design is just that, a non-3D looking, minimalistic but colorful layout while skeumorphism mimic the real world and is hyper-realistic, explains an infographic by Web Designer Depot.
The two types of designs have advantages and disadvantages, but choosing the right color palette is important in both situations. Always keep in mind that colors have the power to evoke emotions. For instance, blue is seen as reliable while pink is associated with femininity, states Entrepreneur. Use free online tools to help you create a harmonious color scheme, such as Color Explorer and Color Hunter.
