5 Steps to a Client Attractive Website

This article does a great job of explaining how to build your site with your existing and potential customers in mind. You can have the most beautiful, cutting edge site on the Internet, but if it isn't useful to your target audience, doesn't connect with their needs or doesn't communicate your value, then you might as well not even have it. Your online business is just as much of a business as any brick and mortar company in your town. And, as with any business, you have to maintain a high level of customer focus in your operations to stand out from your competition.

You may think this goes without saying, but you would be surprised how elusive this point of view is to a lot of businesses!

 

by : Danielle Chonody

In the past three years I have spent a lot of time working on the web presence of my pet sitting business. I realized that more and more of my clients were searching for their pet sitter on the internet and that my web site is the first impression that they get of me and the professionalism of my business. I love it when customers tell me they selected me as their sitter because they thought I had the best website!

Here are some tips to give your website a competitive edge:

1. Give it a personal touch

Your website should reflect your unique personality. Write as you would speak conversationally and include photos of yourself and your family if they are also involved in the business. Make sure you are smiling, look welcoming and friendly! My clients often comment that they like that they can see who I am (they know I'm a real person) and some also say they chose me because they could tell that my business is a family affair!

2. Maintain a consistent image

Make the look and feel of your website consistent with the look of your business cards, stationary and your advertising. This can be done by using the same colors, fonts, and your business's logo. This consistency builds the image of your business and makes you more recognizable to customers.

 

Maintaining a consistent image and keeping a consistent message is important for brand recognition. You may not think this is important with a small business, but consider this. With a small, virtual business, the only thing you have that will make people notice and remember your site is your brand identity. If you can catch their eye and induce them to explore your site and read your content, then you personality and individuality with help to develop your relationship with that prospect. However, you aren't likely to gain a new client - or even see people revisit your site - if you don't have a relatable, identifiable brand image.

3. Give visitors information

Let your customers know what it will be like to do business with you. People love information and it is easy to provide this via a website. Give them details of your policies, the benefits of your service, pricing structures and incentive programs. Supply downloadable copies of any application forms or other paperwork that you need completed.

4. Showcase customer testimonials

Ask your past and present customers to provide testimonials about your product or service. I recommend that you set up a regimented process to collect these such as a post job survey, so that you have a consistent supply of fresh testimonials. To encourage more effective testimonials ask customers to describe how your service or product solved a problem that they had and what life was like before they found you and how it changed for the better after using your business. Showcase these testimonials on a page of your website. To make testimonials more credible show the customers full name and their website or email address after their quote.

5. Help make the lives of your customers easier

Provide links to other complementary but non-competitive local businesses. For example customers often ask me to recommend local groomers, dog trainers, and veterinarians. This month I will be adding a list of these local businesses on my site so that customers have easy access to them and have a reason to come back to visit my site next time they are looking for a pet service provider. Make sure you have used these businesses yourself or know of others who have so that you can ensure your customers will receive quality service. Ask these businesses if they will reciprocate by placing a link to your site on their web site.

Just a few ideas for you from my lessons learnt. I hope you can put them to good use and create a site that your customers rave about!

 

Above all, it is important to remember that although you want to attract as many new customers as possible to expand your business and increase traffic, it costs you a great deal more time and energy to attract new clients than to make repeat customers out of the clients you already serve. In doing your best to attract more clients, don't loose sight of the ones you already have. Making their lives easier is a great tool for maintaining customer loyalty. Just make sure you maintain the same level of attention - if not a greater level - for your long time clients as for your new ones.

 

About The Author
Danielle Chonody is a successful home business owner and entrepreneur. Her FREE business-building ezine provides marketing, management and motivational tips for small business owners and business opportunity seekers. Sign up for your copy at http://www.scentedcandleclub.com/Ezine.html and receive her FREE special report "25 Low Cost Marketing Ideas to Explode your Business".

 

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/online_business/article_4972.shtml