The most important 'component' of a business website is simple - Call To Action.
It is an important and popular fact that a person is smart, but people are stupid. They need to be led. So, a website has to lead the customer to the sale, whatever the 'sale' is. Calls to action can be things like 'Call Now', 'Buy Now', or 'Visit our Location', among other things.
Besides calls to action, there has to be a reason for them to take action. We call this 'The Offer', which is part of the M.O.T. method of marketing. 'M' is for your Market, or your customer base. 'T' is for Traffic, which is either online or in-store. If your business is not making money while your competitors are, one of these things is off.
This is not to diminish other elements of web design or overall marketing - each component is vital to a well-oiled marketing machine, so don't go thinking that with MOT you've got this down. Great web design is a combination of style, layout, navigation and 'flow'. It requires SEO to get ranked in Google, where 90% of your traffic will come from. Highlight your main products or services, keep up with your competitors and make sure your Offer is better in one way or another - then capitalize on that Offer.
Here is a great example: when I lived in Florida years ago, there were 2 major Wine/Liquor outlets competing hard against each other. When their competitor bought a Billboard right outside one of their main outlets, they got mad - then they got creative.
They bought a billboard right above theirs and advertised the phrase "high prices are totally beneath us". They had double business in a month.
Before answering this question it is important to know the purpose of having a website. Are you using it to display and inform about your product or your service or are you using it as sales tool to grow your business. Business, marketing, and websites are changing and in today's world it is essential to have a web presence in order for a business to function. Consumers (buyers) are searching the internet more and more everyday to find whatever they need and there is much competition in just about every field. The future is here now and traditional flat websites are not really going anywhere.
I am probably the last person capable of sharing what is most important. I want to share way too much information on our website and recently was told that all I needed to share was how we grow the economy by adding a secured digital currency that bypasses the Mastercard/VISA, etc. networks to save 50% or more in processing fees. So from the suggestions I am receiving, I would guess the answer is; what consumers need or are interested the most from what the company offers.
There are a few "most important" components. There is no one answer. I will choose one anyway.
An important component of a business website is the enticing and informative path that that leads the customer to the objective you intend for them and choosing the most advantageous "call to action" objective for your business.
To describe who you are. What you are trying to accomplish. Who you are selling to, but in a way that someone will understand. Business professionals are used to talking amongst each other and it is "obvious" to the ones in the group what they are discussing, but not to the ones who you are seeking business from.
There are 3 "most Important" components. Of these, 1 is invisible. Visible: 1) Mission statement or short clear message of what you do. 2) Call to action. Invisible: 3) On-site search engine optimization so that your site comes up when customers are searching for your business or the service you provide.
Answers (11-20)
The most important 'component' of a business website is simple - Call To Action.
It is an important and popular fact that a person is smart, but people are stupid. They need to be led. So, a website has to lead the customer to the sale, whatever the 'sale' is. Calls to action can be things like 'Call Now', 'Buy Now', or 'Visit our Location', among other things.
Besides calls to action, there has to be a reason for them to take action. We call this 'The Offer', which is part of the M.O.T. method of marketing. 'M' is for your Market, or your customer base. 'T' is for Traffic, which is either online or in-store. If your business is not making money while your competitors are, one of these things is off.
This is not to diminish other elements of web design or overall marketing - each component is vital to a well-oiled marketing machine, so don't go thinking that with MOT you've got this down. Great web design is a combination of style, layout, navigation and 'flow'. It requires SEO to get ranked in Google, where 90% of your traffic will come from. Highlight your main products or services, keep up with your competitors and make sure your Offer is better in one way or another - then capitalize on that Offer.
Here is a great example: when I lived in Florida years ago, there were 2 major Wine/Liquor outlets competing hard against each other. When their competitor bought a Billboard right outside one of their main outlets, they got mad - then they got creative.
They bought a billboard right above theirs and advertised the phrase "high prices are totally beneath us". They had double business in a month.
Food for thought.
Hello Amanda,
Before answering this question it is important to know the purpose of having a website. Are you using it to display and inform about your product or your service or are you using it as sales tool to grow your business. Business, marketing, and websites are changing and in today's world it is essential to have a web presence in order for a business to function. Consumers (buyers) are searching the internet more and more everyday to find whatever they need and there is much competition in just about every field. The future is here now and traditional flat websites are not really going anywhere.
Richard from Richard's Funnels
I am probably the last person capable of sharing what is most important. I want to share way too much information on our website and recently was told that all I needed to share was how we grow the economy by adding a secured digital currency that bypasses the Mastercard/VISA, etc. networks to save 50% or more in processing fees. So from the suggestions I am receiving, I would guess the answer is; what consumers need or are interested the most from what the company offers.
There are a few "most important" components. There is no one answer. I will choose one anyway.
An important component of a business website is the enticing and informative path that that leads the customer to the objective you intend for them and choosing the most advantageous "call to action" objective for your business.
To describe who you are. What you are trying to accomplish. Who you are selling to, but in a way that someone will understand. Business professionals are used to talking amongst each other and it is "obvious" to the ones in the group what they are discussing, but not to the ones who you are seeking business from.
It must be easy to navigate
What you do and how you do it.
Your contact information