Common Website Mistakes Small Business Owners Need to Avoid
Your website is your digital shopfront. But you already know that. Whether you are about to create your first website for a new business or you already have one, it's not hyperbole to say that there are many mistakes you can make when trying to create the perfect website.
The thing is, when you get it right, no one really notices. Everything works fine; they have a great experience, and off they go. But those mistakes that ruin the user experience will stick, and they will impact your business more than you might realise. And sadly, many small businesses fall into the same trap and make the same mistakes over and over. However, once you know what these are, it becomes easier to avoid them.
Doing It All Yourself
A bit of DIY is good; you do need to know the basics to update and maintain your website, but if you're not really tech literate, it will be all too easy to make mistakes or not realise what you need for a smooth, seamless website experience.
Working with an experienced web design company means you can get the right things implemented, and you can then take on the smaller projects knowing everything else has been covered. Experts in web design know how to balance design with function, how to keep things lightweight, and how to create a site that represents your brand properly, and doesn't hinder what you're trying to build.
Ignoring Mobile Users
These days, the majority of internet users access it via mobile devices. And if your website doesn't automatically adjust according to how it's being used, this makes for a poor user experience and people will simply click off.
Text that is too small, images that take over the page, menus that don't work for touchscreens, are major issues you need to avoid so you can accommodate users regardless of how they're accessing your website.
Hiding Essentials
You will be surprised how many business owners forget to make the small details easy to find. From their contact details, opening hours, or description of what they actually do, it's all important information that they need to know and be able to find with ease.
It doesn't need to be complicated - your phone number at the top of the page, a contact me button in a prominent place, and full contact details in the footer are all places to make your details more visible.
Skipping Security
Never be fooled into thinking your website won't be targeted because it probably will be and sooner rather than later.
Small businesses are increasingly becoming the main targets of scammers due to the idea that they don't have the resources to implement stringent cybersecurity measures. And if you're not putting security into everything you do, you're just making life easier for hackers.
You need to make sure your site has HTTPS, that plugins are updated regularly, that you have strong passwords, and that everything is updated and backed up regularly to help you remove vulnerabilities and keep everything and everyone safe and secure.
Image source: Drew Williams via Pexels.
