You know what they say – “you only get one chance to make a first impression.” And if you are a small business owner, that first impression is often your website. It is the face of your business and needs to be engaging, informative and above all else, convert visitors into customers. So how do you make sure your small business website hits all of these marks? The answer lies in getting the formula just right.
Pick A Design That Fits Your Brand
When it comes to web design, there are dozens and dozens of templates out there – some free and some paid. But while the design should be eye-catching and aesthetically pleasing, it also needs to fit with your brand’s overall look and feel. Make sure that all aspects of design (fonts, colors, graphics, etc.) represent your company accurately as this will help turn visitors into loyal customers.
Here are some for the more popular website builders for WordPress that will make website designing a lot easier!
Elementor: With a range of drag-and-drop widgets, Elementor is an intuitive platform that helps you build custom websites in minutes with no coding knowledge required. It has hundreds of templates to choose from along with complete control over the design of your website and unlimited revisions until it looks perfect.
Beaver Builder: Beaver Builder provides an easy way for anyone to create beautiful, responsive websites without any coding knowledge needed. It offers a variety of themes and page templates as well as dozens of professionally designed addons that make it simple to customize your website’s look and feel.
Divi Builder: Divi Builder is a powerful all-in-one website building platform that uses visual drag & drop technology to create stunning websites quickly and easily with no need for any programming skills or experience. It also offers more than 80 different page elements to help you customize every aspect of your site’s design, including advanced typography controls, custom color schemes, parallax backgrounds, and more.
Visual Composer Website Builder: Visual Composer Website Builder is a powerful yet user-friendly platform that helps users build beautiful websites quickly with no technical skills required. It includes themes, templates, media library, drag & drop functionality, live editing capabilities and fully customizable pages designs making it the perfect choice for creating professional looking sites in minutes.
Themify builder: themify builder is a powerful but easy-to-use drag & drop framework that makes building custom WordPress sites fast and painless with its robust set of features such as live preview mode, template library and theme customization options allowing you to create truly unique webpages from scratch or readymade predefined design skins at an affordable price .
SiteOrigin Page Builder :SiteOrigin Page Builder is feature rich yet lightweight plugin that provides everything you need in order to get creative with designing pages on your WordPress site in minutes without writing any code or having any prior development experience whatsoever . It includes dozens of user-friendly UI elements such as columns , buttons , sliders , toggle boxes , accordions , galleries , tabs etc enabling users to create beautiful layouts hassle free .
WPBakery Page Builder :WPBakery Page Builder is another excellent option when it comes to creating stunning websites using an intuitive drag & drop interface . It has everything you need including 50+ content elements for adding images , text , buttons , forms etc plus 200+ premade page templates all within an organized backend interface which simplifies the web building process even further .
Make Navigation Easy For Visitors
Navigation should be simple for a visitor so they can easily find what they are looking for without having to think too hard or search too deep. Simple menus that display links to different pages within the website are key when designing a great user experience on a small business website. Additionally, adding breadcrumbs so people can track where they have been on the site will make it even easier for them to get around quickly and efficiently.Positive redundancy, when used in website design and website navigation, can help capture more users, as it allows for multiple triggers that lead to the same place. By offering multiple options, websites can better cater to different personalities and user preferences. For instance, a website may offer both a large button on the homepage as well as a text link to navigate to the same place. This way, users who prefer visual cues can click on the button while those who enjoy text-based navigation have the option of doing so instead. Furthermore, by having redundant navigation elements present on different pages within a website, users are less likely to get lost or confused while browsing. Positive redundancy also helps reduce cognitive load – since users know that they will eventually find their destination regardless of which route they take, they don’t need to remember any specific instructions or paths in order to reach it. As such, positive redundancy is an effective tool for creating intuitive and user-friendly websites.
Include A Clear Call To Action
Call to actions are an essential element of website design and website navigation. They are a way to give visitors direction while they explore the website, and they create opportunities for visitors to take action. By making it easy for visitors to take the desired action, such as signing up for a newsletter or completing a purchase, businesses can increase engagement, conversions and customer satisfaction.
CTAs should be easily distinguishable from other elements on the page and prominently placed in order to draw attention. The text used in CTAs should clearly convey what action it is prompting users to take, such as “Sign Up” or “Download Now”. Color can also be used to help visitors identify CTAs quickly; many websites use bright colors like yellow or orange for their CTAs so that they stand out from the rest of the page. Additionally, consistent placement of CTAs throughout the website helps users recognize them quickly when visiting different pages.
In addition to being used on websites, email marketing lists allow businesses to stay connected with customers by sending promotions, updates and event information directly into their inboxes. Creating an email list requires businesses to have a signup form on their site which prompts customers to enter their email address and other contact information. To ensure that customers become subscribers, engaging call-to-actions need to be included alongside the form asking customers subscribe now or join our mailing list. This encourages people who are interested in learning more about your products or services to sign up and keep informed about company news and updates that may interest them.
Mailchimp is an incredibly powerful and versatile tool for website owners, providing a range of features that can be used to create a seamless user experience from start to finish. As a call to action on your website, linking to Mailchimp is an excellent way to engage and convert visitors into paying customers or regular subscribers. Here are some of the best ways you can use Mailchimp linked from your website as a call to action:
Create Subscription Forms: By creating subscription forms on your site, customers can easily sign up for email lists, newsletters or other services that you offer. This helps you capture leads and keep them engaged with your brand. You can even customize the form fields according to your needs, allowing you to collect valuable information about your customers such as their location and interests.
Offer Discounts & Rewards: Using Mailchimp linked from your website, you can offer discounts or rewards for customers who subscribe. This encourages people to sign up for your newsletter or follow other offers that you have available. By offering incentives like this, you’re more likely to attract and retain customers over time.
Automate Customer Journeys: With MailChimp’s powerful automation tools, it’s easy to set up automated customer journeys that help move leads down the sales funnel faster while providing personalized experiences tailored specifically for them. For example, you could use automation sequences triggered by customer events such as signing up for a newsletter or visiting certain pages on your site.
Engage Your Audience With Content: Linking directly from your website allows you to share content such as blog posts with readers without having them go through the hassle of manually subscribing each time they read something new. Not only does this help deliver content quickly and efficiently but it also makes sure that people stay engaged with what’s going on at all times!
Overall, there are numerous ways in which linking MailChimp from your website as a call-to-action can help benefit both business owners and their customers alike – by capturing leads easier than ever before; offering discounts & rewards; automating customer journeys; and engaging audiences with content in real-time – it’s no wonder why so many site owners choose MailChimp as their go-to solution when looking for effective calls-to-action!
There you have it – the perfect formula for creating an effective small business website! By focusing on design elements that reflect your brand, making navigation easy for visitors and including clear calls-to-action throughout each page, you can create an inviting space that will draw people in and keep them coming back again and again. With this approach in mind, you will soon be able to craft the perfect online presence for your small business!
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Are you looking for a reliable and experienced web design company in Vancouver, BC? Look no further than our team of experts at Black Tusk Web Design Vancouver. We offer a wide range of website design and development services, as well as search engine optimization (SEO) services that will help your business rank higher on Google and other major search engines. We have years of experience working with businesses in Vancouver and across Canada, and we are confident that we can help you create a website that not only looks great, but also generates more leads and sales for your business.
We wanted to take a moment to answer some of the more common questions when it comes to website design.
What is Search Engine Optimization?
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the process of optimizing a website for Google and other major search engines. The goal of SEO is to improve the visibility of a website in the search engine results pages (SERPs), with the ultimate goal of generating more traffic and leads for the business.
In addition to our web design services, we also offer SEO services that are designed to help your website rank higher on Google and other major search engines. Our team of SEO experts will work with you to identify the best keywords for your business and then help you optimize your website around those keywords.
What are some common features of a successful website?
A successful website must be designed with your target audience in mind. It should be easy to navigate, visually appealing, and contain relevant and well-written content that addresses the needs of your target customers. In addition, a successful website must be properly optimized for search engines in order to rank higher in the SERPs.
What Makes a good website design?
A good website design must take into account many factors such as the target audience, the purpose of the website, the products or services being offered, and the overall branding of the business. At Black Tusk Web Design Vancouver, we have years of experience designing and developing websites for businesses in Vancouver and across Canada. We will work with you to understand your specific needs and then create a custom website design that meets those needs.
What is UX (user experience)?
UX is short for user experience, and it refers to the overall experience that a person has when using a website or app. A good UX must take into account many factors such as ease of use, navigation, and overall design. At Black Tusk Web Design Vancouver, we focus on creating a positive UX for all of our clients.
What is responsive design?
Responsive design is an approach to web design that allows websites to be viewed on multiple devices with different screen sizes. In order to create a responsive website design, developers must use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create websites that adapt to the different screen sizes.
What is a content management system (CMS)?
A content management system (CMS) is a software application that allows users to create, edit, and publish content on the web. WordPress is one of the most popular CMS platforms, and it powers millions of websites around the world.
What are some common website design mistakes?
Some common website design mistakes include using too much text, having a cluttered layout, and using low-quality images. At Black Tusk Web Design Vancouver, we avoid these mistakes by carefully planning out each website design before we start designing.
How much does a website cost?
The cost of a website depends on many factors such as the size of the website, the number of pages, the level of customization, and the services being used.
In general, a basic website can start as low as $500, while a more complex website can cost upwards of $5,000+.
What are the benefits of having a website?
Some of the benefits of having a website include increased visibility for your business, the ability to reach new customers, and improved brand awareness. A website can also help you generate leads and sales for your business.
When it comes to website design, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The best website design for your business will depend on many factors such as your target audience, the purpose of the website, the products or services being offered, and the overall branding of the business. At Black Tusk Web Design Vancouver, we have years of experience designing and developing websites for businesses in Vancouver and across Canada. We will work with you to understand your specific needs and then create a custom website design that meets those needs.
Why Choose Black Tusk Web Design Vancouver?
There are many web design companies in Vancouver, but not all of them are created equal. When you choose Black Tusk Web Design Vancouver, you can rest assured knowing that you are working with a team of experienced and professional web designers who are dedicated to helping your business succeed online. We offer a wide range of services, including web design, web development, and SEO, and we are confident that we can help you achieve your online goals.
If you are interested in learning more about our web design services or if you would like to get started on your new website, contact us today. We would be happy to discuss your project with you and provide you with a free quote. Just click the ‘Get a Quote’ button in the header of this page to book your free consultation today.
If you’re planning on redesigning your website in 2023, you’ll want to make sure that you’re up-to-date on the latest web design trends. In this blog post, we will discuss seven of the most popular web design trends for 2023. Keep reading to learn more!
Minimalistic design. In recent years, there has been a shift away from cluttered, busy website designs and towards minimalistic ones. This trend is only going to continue in 2023, so if you’re planning on redesigning your website, make sure to keep things clean and simple.
Mobile-friendly design. It’s no secret that more and more people are using their phones and tablets to browse the internet. In fact, it’s estimated that by 2023, over 60% of internet traffic will come from mobile devices. This means that if your website isn’t designed with mobile users in mind, you’re going to lose out on a lot of potential traffic.
Dark mode. Dark mode is a popular trend in website design that allows users to switch to a dark-themed interface. This can be helpful for those who prefer to browse the web at night or in low-light conditions.
Personalization. In 2023, website design will be all about personalization. This means creating a responsive web design that is tailored to the individual user’s needs and preferences. This can be accomplished through things like website cookies and user tracking.
Voice search. Voice search is another trend that is on the rise. With the popularity of voice-activated assistants like Siri and Alexa, it’s no surprise that more and more people are using their voices to search the internet. In 2023, website designers will need to take this into account and make sure that their websites are optimized for voice search.
Augmented reality. Augmented reality is a technology that allows users to interact with digital content in the real world. This trend is starting to gain traction in website design, and we expect to see more AR-enabled website in 2023.
Chatbots. Chatbots are computer programs that simulate human conversation. They are commonly used to provide customer service or support on websites. In 2023, we expect to see more chatbots being used on websites as they become more advanced and realistic.
Virtual reality. Virtual reality is a technology that allows users to immerse themselves in a simulated environment. This trend is starting to gain traction in website design, and we expect to see more VR-enabled website in 2023.
These are just a few of the web design trends that website designers will need to be aware of in 2023. So if you’re planning on redesigning your website, make sure to keep these trends in mind!
Need help with website design? Our team of experts at Vancouver Website Design can help! Contact us today to learn more about our web design services.
When it comes to website design, feedback is key. Your web designer needs to know what you like and don’t like, so they can create a website that meets your needs and looks great. However, giving effective feedback can be difficult. In this blog post, we will discuss how to give your web designer useful feedback, so they can create the perfect website for you!
When giving feedback, it is important to be specific. This means stating what you do and don’t like about specific elements of the design. For example, if you don’t like the colour scheme, be specific about which colours you don’t like and why. If you think a certain element should be moved, explain where you think it should be moved to. The more specific you are, the easier it will be for your web designer to make changes that you will be happy with.
It is also important to give feedback constructively. This means avoiding negative or critical comments. For example, instead of saying “I hate this colour scheme,” try “I’m not a big fan of these colours, I would prefer something brighter.” By constructively giving feedback, you will help your web designer to understand your vision for the website and make changes that you will be happy with.
Finally, it is important to be patient when giving feedback. Your web designer is working hard to create a website that you will love, and it takes time to get things just right. If you are not happy with the first design, that’s okay! Just give your web designer specific, constructive feedback and they will make changes until you are happy with the final product.
Web design is a collaborative process, and effective communication is key to creating a website that you will love. By following these tips, you can give your web designer the feedback they need to create a website that is perfect for you!
You probably might have asked how Google search results are determined or how the search engines work. With over 1.8 billion websites on the web, one would wonder how Google, Bing, Baidu, and the other search engines manage to rank all of the billions of web pages emanating from these websites.
Search engines deploy crawlers (bots) to scour the internet for web pages and rank them accordingly to generate search results. While this is not as simple as it seems, in this post, we’ll shed some light on how these search engine crawlers (bots) work behind the scenes to generate search results for users.
How Search Engines Work
There are three key steps involved in how search engines work – crawling, indexing, and ranking/serving. The first step involves the search engines deploying bots referred to as crawlers or spiders to scour the internet for new and updated web pages via URLs.
These spiders/crawlers then try to analyze each of the pages crawled to discover what each page is all about as well as determine how relevant the pages are to online searches. The results are then indexed based on relevancy, using a set of ranking factors that are dependent on the algorithm of the search engine in question, and then served up to users searching online.
Google doesn’t accept payments to rank your websites high on search engine results pages (SERPs). So, how do you get your website pages to rank high on SERPs?
The answer, in this case, is knowing how to optimize your website for high ranking.
This in turn can only be successful when you have a good grasp of what search engine crawlers want to see on your web pages. Here are some of the most important things crawlers want to see on your web pages;
1. HTML
Google wants to see your website’s HTML codes properly formatted. And aside from the fact that building your website on HTML helps you avoid slow website rendering and better experience for visitors, Google, as one of the most prominent search engines, finds it easier to crawl HTML, compared to other protocols like JavaScript, Flash, DHTML, Ajax, etc.
2. Internal links
Internal links on website pages make them easily navigable and crawlable for search engine crawlers.
3. Content structure
Site and content structure plays a role in how search engines crawl your website. Content on your website should therefore be organized in a way that should make it easy for both human users and search engines.
Along with these three (3) things, others such as the actual content quality as well as the searcher’s location, search history, search medium (desktop or mobile), can also influence what content they are served as well as how the content is ranked.
Conclusion
Now that you know how search engines work, it’s important to translate this knowledge into creating an easily crawlable and indexable website.
From getting your site structure right to properly formatting your website’s HTML codes, proper use of internal links, and a commitment to high content quality, it will become much easier to get your web pages to rank well on searches that are relevant to your brand and business.
No one can stand a slow website. Not me or any of the 90% of other internet users with attention spans shorter than that of a goldfish who are more likely to bounce if your website pages don’t load up within the first five (5) seconds. (Google)
Slow website loading speed decreases your chances of generating leads and making sales from your share of web traffic. In this post, we’ll uncover five of the common culprits responsible for the reasons why your website loads at a snail pace. We’ll also shed the light on how you can turn up the speed so it loads as fast as possible.
The problem with hosting is that it can doom your website to perpetually slow loading times even before you have an actual website.
So, before writing the first line of code, you want to make sure your website is hosted on a high-quality hosting service provider. Doing this will help you avoid slow loading, low SEO ranking chances, and the poor user experience that comes with browsing on slow websites.
2. Heavy and unclean codes
Are the source codes on your website absurdly heavy, messy, or unclear? All of these can significantly impact how fast your website loads. So, you know your website deserves better than some poorly written codes.
Any web design or development expert worth their weight will appreciate the importance of having clean and user-focused codes on a website’s speed and performance.
3. Not using good caching techniques
Caching techniques help make content readily and easily available to read for users.
The key basis of this involves storing the data on the computer that needs to read the information rather than having to read such information directly from the original source. Caching, when done right, will significantly help boost your website speed.
4. Unoptimized images and media content
Unoptimized media content can take a toll on your website speed, especially if you own an image-heavy website.
While it makes sense to complement your written content with enough images, audio, video, etc, not properly optimizing these media files as far as sizes are concerned can slow down your website loading speed.
5. Not using a content delivery network (CDN)
CDN helps cache content in multiple locations around the world.
By storing these caches closer to website users, the time it takes to render on their device is significantly cut short. While having this set up can help supercharge your website speed, not having one in place can mean slow loading times.
6. Too many plugins
Plugins help improve the functionality of websites.
But like every good thing, too much of it can impact your website speed. Along with slow website loading speeds, having too many plugins installed on your website can put your website at risk of website crashes, and security breaches, among others. So, it’s always better to stick to the few you really need.
7. Code bloated WordPress themes
One of the best things about WordPress is how easy it can be set up. There are thousands of both free and paid themes that you can consider when building your website. The problem with some of these themes, however, is that they might be poorly built. WordPress themes with bloated codes can mean slow-loading pages and poor user experience for your users, among other things.
Conclusion
There are a million and one reasons why you need to take your website loading speed more seriously. Aside from the obvious poor user experience on your website that could significantly impact your website’s lead generation and sales conversion chances, website speed is also a key SEO ranking factor that could impact your website’s visibility on search engines.
From choosing the right hosting provider to ensuring clean and clear codes, among other things, getting your website to load as fast as possible (great if it loads under 3 seconds!) can help make a world of difference on how well your website can support your business’s strategic digital goals.
