According to a recent study, UK adults are now spending 4 hours a day online – with the recent surge being attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. With government-mandated lockdowns causing many businesses to temporarily close up shop – online shopping has experienced a similar lift in popularity – which means that it’s time you paid a little more attention to your website.

Domenico Loia on Unsplash

In fact, having a quality business website can boost your company’s reputation, providing you with the opportunity to connect to a global customer base – thus raising your earnings significantly. With that in mind, here are some tips and tricks that you can use to put together a stellar website for your business.

• Buy your domain name. Though there are many web hosting platforms that provide you with the opportunity to set up a website for free, purchasing your domain name is a great way to make your brand appear more professional.
• Focus on the user experience. Though your website should look good, you need to make sure that it’s also easy to use and navigate. You should also ensure that your website is as accessible as possible – by providing customers with the option to change the size of the font and background colour of the site. This is an easy way to help those who may be visually impaired get the most out of your website.
• Think carefully about what should be included on your site. While the sales page will be the most important aspect of your website, it shouldn’t be the only thing on there. Ensure that you provide the viewer with plenty of information so that they get to know your brand on a deeper level. You should also consider adding some essential features such as a search bar, contact information and social media links.
• Try the website out yourself. Test your website before launch to ensure that everything is in good working order for your customers. One way in which you can do this is by using the best click testing tool. When using this software, you will be able to discover user preferences and identify any issues or pain points ahead of time, which means you can avoid problems further down the line.
• Use quality photographs. If you’re going to be using your website to sell a product, you need to ensure that the pictures you use are accurate depictions of the product itself. This means you probably shouldn’t be taking them with the camera on your phone – as they need to be high in quality. You should also ensure they are not edited – as this is the easiest way to ensure that the customer knows exactly what they are buying. You should also ensure that you suitably convert and prepare photos for your website.
• Think about compatibility. While many of us grab our laptops when it’s time to do some online shopping, it’s important to remember that customers may be accessing your website through a range of devices. This means that you should ensure that your website is compatible whether they are logging in from their phone or a tablet. This means that you should also focus on creating a mobile version of your website.
• Think carefully about the design. There are thousands of guides and templates online that you can use to put together a quality website design. However, you shouldn’t be afraid to experiment a little either – whether that means you try your hand at designing or bring in a web designer. Remember, your site needs to be eye-catching and representative of your brand – but you don’t want to overdo it either. In most cases, simplicity is key to drawing in customers.
• Be consistent. You need to ensure that the content on your website is representative of your brand. For example, this means that you should use the same tone and language throughout – whether you are writing a blog post or product description – as consistency is essential when it comes to forming an image for your brand. If you are unsure of where to get started, you could always hire a copywriter to do this for you.
• Operate with your customers in mind. While you may have certain expectations for your website, it’s important that you think carefully about what ecommerce customers really want when it comes to browsing online. The deeper your understanding of your target demographic and consumer habits, the easier it will be to create an impactful website that will drive your sales and take your brand to the next level.

About the Author: Garlak Theodorakis

My name is Garlak Theodorakis, I am graphic designer with almost 10 year experience in the field. Founded Tooft.com in january 2010 with idea to share my knowledge with the world.