Forget ‘new year, new you’. How about new year, new website? If you’ve been thinking about creating (or updating) a business website, this quick Q&A will help you get started.

Can you build it yourself?
Only if you know what you’re doing. We get why many people have a bash at building their own website, but the result is never as good as a professionally designed site, and customers can tell the difference. Plus, it’s not even much of a money-saver. Not when you factor in your precious time – time that could be spent on your business.

That’s why we encourage business owners to outsource web design to the pros. It’s not as pricey as you think. And, if your site is built on a popular platform like WordPress (where we build all our client websites), it’s really quick and inexpensive to update your site or add new features in future.

What’s the best website structure?
Navigation is super-important for any website. It’s the difference between customers easily finding the info they need, and getting so frustrated they bounce off to another (more user-friendly) website. We think a flat site structure works best – meaning all the pages are just one click away from the home page.

How many pages does your website need?
Most business websites need just a few pages (in fact, a cluttered site only puts people off). As a rule of thumb, the must-have pages are:

• Home – the first thing visitors see, this should give a short overview of your business (enough that people want to know more), and help visitors navigate the rest of the site.
• Products/services – here’s where you showcase your products or services, including how your offering benefits customers. Depending on your business, you may also want to have a ‘portfolio’ or ‘projects’ page.
• About – your opportunity to tell your company’s story, share your brand values and introduce your team.
• Contact – this is where visitors can grab contact details or send a quick message.
• Blog – these days, a blog is an essential marketing tool. Plus, it’s a good way to feed your website with fresh content, and earn repeat visitors.

Which features make a website shine?
Now let’s talk about the stuff that differentiates a do-it-yourself job from a slick, professional website. For us, a standout website is one that includes:

• Succinct copy – each page must include well-crafted but concise content that quickly informs and engages the reader. No waffle, basically!
• Bold key messages – think callout quotes and headings that highlight key points.
• Gorgeous images – your target audience should immediately ‘connect’ with your website. Imagery is a great way to do this, using high-quality, relevant images to show off your brand’s personality.
• Movement – from a simple rotating logo to animated banners, a little movement adds a whole lot of interest.

What’s the biggest mistake to avoid?
The most common mistake we see is not including enough calls to action. Every part of your website should include compelling phrases that entice visitors to take the next step in the customer journey, such as booking an appointment, placing an order, or signing up for your newsletter.

Whether you’re starting a business and need a whole new website, or want to freshen up your existing site, OCTOPUS has got you covered. Create your ideal website with us.

(Technology photo created by rawpixel.com – www.freepik.com)