A website is likely the first place potential clients will come into contact with your business.  So, a high-quality website design is a serious requirement.

Many small businesses attempt to use budget web design solutions, but this is likely to damage the online face of your business in the long run.

You need a seasoned marketing company to help your business make the best first impression possible, preferably one with experience building websites for coaching businesses.

What are some signs that your website may be giving the wrong impression? Here are some website design mistakes to watch out for.

Not Utilizing SEO

It’s hard to stress how important Search Level Optimization (SEO) has become when attempting to attract new clients.

It’s important to strive for first-page placement on Google. Most people don’t like doing extensive online searches; up to 75% of clicks are made on that crucial first page.

An experienced designer or firm will be well-versed in how to make SEO work for your business.

Not Optimized for Mobile

The internet is not just for desktops and laptops anymore. More than two-thirds of Americans have smartphones now, and your website must be mobile-friendly if you want to continue attracting new clients.

Mobile friendliness is one of the most significant Google ranking factors; without a responsive website design, Google may even penalize you.

Most reputable marketing companies build websites specifically for mobile devices and consider how your site will look on a smartphone.

Not SSL Secure

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a standard security protocol that ensures that all data transmitted between the web server and browser remains encrypted.

Considering that clients may not only be paying fees over your website but also divulging confidential personal information, security is a must, for their sake and yours.

Poor Loading Speed

Few things are more frustrating than a slow-loading webpage. Most visitors start to lose patience within five seconds, and many will be clicking the back button and checking out other local businesses.

Web hosting plays an important role in your website’s loading speed. Other factors that can reduce your website’s loading speed are the size of your graphics, video quality, and the plugins and scripts that you use.

Confusing Navigation

So your website is visually appealing and conveys a professional-yet-friendly image. You can still lose clients if it’s hard for them to find their way around your site.

Information categories should be neatly organized, and labels should be easy to understand. Action-oriented “click here” links are a great way to point people in the right direction.

Make sure you discuss your website’s navigation with your marketing company to avoid a cluttered look and give clients a clear path to where they need to go.

Takeaways:

• An experienced marketing company will optimize your entire online presence.
• Search engine optimization will help your business get found by more potential clients.
• Websites must be optimized for mobile devices and load quickly, or clients may become frustrated and go elsewhere.
• A professional website hosting company will secure your clients’ information.
• Clients expect websites to be easy to navigate, especially on mobile devices with small screens.

Next Steps

If you’d like to learn more or make sure that your business website is following these recommendations, contact us today. CoachingWebsites gives you everything you need for a solid online presence that follows these recommendations in one easy package.