What Makes an Effective Website?
Digital Marketing is the fastest growing and most effective form of marketing used today. It can reach people all over the world in seconds. It is also a very competitive form of marketing. More than 65% of the Earth’s population has access to the internet and just over 30% of business was done online in 2020. With companies fighting for attention on the internet, it is important to create a site consumers are attracted to. By following the few steps I have listed, you will create a foundation for an effective website.
1. Targeting Your Market
Establishing your target market is the key to any marketing plan. This will center the focus of the brand and establish a starting point for traditional and digital marketing. When first trying to discover your target market, picture a consumer using your product or service and ask yourself a few questions,
- What does that consumer look like?
- How old are they?
- Do they have a family?
By creating a story around the ideal consumer for your product, you can start to think about how you would market to them.
2. Expressing Your Brand
Your brand is the overall image of your company. It is how the consumer acts when using the product, how employees interact with consumers, and what comes to mind when a consumer pictures the company. Establishing and expressing a brand is crucial when gaining attention from a target market. There are many ways to portray a brand online.
- Esthetic of the Website: The color pallet, font, and layout of a site
- Usability of the Site: Where are the products located? Is everything easily accessible? Is the site easy to use for all ages or is it designed for a more tech-savvy group?
- Interactive Features: Is the site designed to allow consumers to interact?
The more a brand shines through in every aspect of a website, the more successful it is going to be. This will lead to a stronger and more loyal base of consumers.
3. Establishing Credibility
The internet is a seemingly anonymous place. Consumers have to use caution when browsing new sites. Establishing trust and credibility with consumers is very important when trying to create a consumer base. Some simple ways to earn trust are,
- Including a page to introduce and learn about the company
- Include a testimonial or review section for customers to share past experiences
- Ensure the site looks and feels the target consumers expects it to operate
These features allow for the consumer to interact with the page and the company, giving them security. This leads to more confidence and trust in the site and the company.
