Make Your Website Do More Work for You.
The coronavirus pandemic reshaped how people use websites.
Communication, entertainment, shopping, work, education, and ordering food all became website-dependent realities instead of alternatives to in-person experiences. Likewise, people’s expectations of websites and mobile applications changed—we’ve adapted to researching, comparing, and making purchases using a single screen.
If your business hasn’t updated its website in the past two years, it’s time.
Meeting the new needs of consumers in a digital-first world requires a website that functions flawlessly from front (think design, layout, and content) to back (think speed, mobile-friendliness, and security).
Here, we’ve compiled a list of things every business website needs to win more customers and decision-makers in a world where often digital experience outweigh in-person ones.
How Did the Coronavirus Pandemic Change Website Habits?
The coronavirus pandemic affected business websites by altering our expectations of digital experiences. Consider your personal research and shopping habits—is your first thought to drive to the store and browse the racks, or do you grab your phone and start Googling?
Post-pandemic, your company’s website is vital for the success of your business. In a pre-pandemic world, did you focus on making an excellent first impression in person? A clean office, reception areas, store branding, packaging, and product-packed shelves all make a great first impression in person. However, most people’s first impressions of businesses aren’t in-person anymore—they’re online. Websites, social media, and e-commerce have taken the place of open houses, networking, and storefronts.
Your website is the face of your business and its reputation with consumers. These six website components are essential for companies that want to be successful in a digital-first world.
6 Website Essentials for Businesses in 2022
1. Mobile-Friendliness
According to StatCounter, mobile website traffic (51.61%) outpaced desktop website traffic (45.64%) in 2020. Is your business’s website mobile-friendly? Your website should be easy to navigate, scroll, and shop when accessed from a mobile device. Better yet, a custom mobile application could be your business’s key to cashing in on mobile device traffic.
Learn more about building a mobile application for your business.
2. Modern Design
Consumers know what good websites look like and what dated websites from the dial-up era look like. Retro aesthetics aside, your website’s design gives customers a big first impression of your company. In person, would you settle for a business lobby or storefront with shag carpet and wood paneling? Updating your website design is just as important as a fresh coat of paint in a post-pandemic world.
3. Speed
People want information quickly, whether it’s about a business, product, or service. If your website is clunky or slow to load, visitors will look elsewhere — even Google knows that. More so, page experience is vital if you want your business’s website to appear in Google’s search results. In terms of speed, that means making sure your website loads in 2.5 seconds or less. Learn more about page speed and Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) from Semrush.
4. Security
People are sharing a ton of information online, and hackers have been going after websites to get their piece of the pie. Website security includes having cybersecurity solutions in place, actively monitoring for cyberattacks, and maintaining your website with regular security updates for frameworks and plugins. One cyberattack could ruin your website’s reputation. Not sure where your website stands in terms of security? We conduct website security scans as part of our free general website assessments.
5. Content
“Content is king” is a familiar phrase for a reason. Your website’s content should represent what your business is offering and what your customers are looking for. Additionally, your content should be up-to-date and easy for your audience to digest. Going back to the first-impression analogy, your website’s content will mostly be the first interaction you have with customers. Good post-pandemic websites need good content.
6. E-Commerce
Quarantining during the coronavirus pandemic made it possible to buy pretty much anything without making contact with another human being. If your company sells a physical product, it should be available for purchase on your website. If that’s not possible with your industry, you should be talking about pricing and how to make a purchase when the time comes. Your website should make purchases easier for your customers, with everything they need to make the decision at their fingertips.
We Help Make Websites Easier.
Do you have questions about updating your business’s website for post-pandemic success? We can help. Contact us today to learn more about High Touch’s website services and get a free general website assessment.