There are so many "important" parts. But to nail down the "most" important part, I would say delivery. You have to have a current site that is responsive (works on ALL devices) and loads quickly. It's the most important, because you absolutely have to get them "ON" the site, before you can do ANYTHING else. If they can't load and navigate your site, everything else is a complete waste of time. And loading the site, means without errors, so obviously it must have SSL also.
almost 40% visit on their phones now. If they are struggling to view the site, they ain't staying. Period.
If your website intends to bring you business, then you'd better have these 4 elements: - An introduction Let the visitor learn who you are, what you do and for whom you do it (props to Amanda DiBiase). - A call to action Invite the visitor to further invest in your service by calling, writing, enlisting, whatever Just get their buy in! (Props to Mark Saintonge). - Accurate contact information throughout the site (props to Pamela Sissons). At the very minimum a phone number should be visible at all times. If you prefer, then offer a floating chat or email button that still offers that personal touch. - Functionality There is nothing more frustrating to a potential client than a broken link! It is almost the same as telling your client "No, we won't make sure your job is done correctly."
I'm sure there are plenty of other answers. I'm sure they are all good. I tried to give credit to the other members that provided answers that fell inline with mine. It really comes down to the experience your client feels. If your site expresses the same level of welcome your shop or office does, then your client will be as likely to close with you as if he or she were standing in your store.
Content The primary purpose of a business website is to convert prospects into leads and leads into customers. To do this it needs content that speaks the language of people searching for solutions your company's products deliver. Content should be created for all different positions in your sales funnel. Top: awareness content that lets people know you offer products in that niche. This is for prospects who are discovering they have a need for products in your niche and are doing their initial research. Middle: interest content that helps educate them about solutions and promotes your offerings more directly as the solution they are looking for. This is for prospects who are acutely aware of their problem and are looking for either education or companies that solve the problem. Bottom: purchase content that clearly shows a prospect the USP of your offering. This content helps show your point of differentiation (POD or USP) from the rest of the market. This type of content is for prospects who know they have a problem, are aware of the different companies in the niche and are deciding which solution to purchase.
By structuring your content this way you have a natural process that allows visitors to move down your funnel.
Traditional websites don't work like they did in the early days, but still, businesses continue to use them and typically don't get leads or sales this way.
The more effective way to have an online presence is through web funnels. A funnel takes a web visitor from point A to point B to point C, while successfully collecting the visitor's contact information, presenting a call-to-action and then having the person jump onboard a social media site or two (of the business's).
How is this done?
An effective presentation (i.e. good graphics, good copy and funnel director pointers).
The hitch? Businesses gotta give something to get this information - a freebie or an irresistable offer.
Web funnels can be successful for any type of business.
As one of only 50 Builderall certified partners in the world, I regularly make highly engaging web funnels.
Marketing and Search Engine Optimization (keywords) go hand in hand for getting new clients. You must get them to your web site and once they are there you must tell them what you do, why you are different and better than your competition, and why they should go with you in less than 30 seconds, because 60% on average of your site visitors are there less than 30 seconds.
The Website Process Should Never Begin With Design
Design is fun and creative. And nine times out of 10, most companies begin the process to build a website with a design, whether it's new or a redesign. Rushing into design without a strategic plan is one of the reasons so many websites fail to meet the expectations or deliver ROI.
Think about it. Design is solving problems. If you haven't defined the problems, you can't possibly expect the design to present meaningful solutions.
We start by first preparing a plan, keywords, navigation and site map. These are key questions:
What is the goal of the web site?
Who is your target audience?
What are your focused keywords that have traffic?
What information do you wish to provide your site visitors?
How can you present your information so site visitors may convert themselves to customers?
These questions will naturally lead into discussion around requirements for SEO, navigation, application integration, video, social media, etc. The more prepared you are, the closer the website design, and every other aspect of the website will be to supporting the goals of your company, and serving its site visitors, saving a great deal of your time, money, and frustration.
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Answers (51-60)
There are so many "important" parts. But to nail down the "most" important part, I would say delivery. You have to have a current site that is responsive (works on ALL devices) and loads quickly. It's the most important, because you absolutely have to get them "ON" the site, before you can do ANYTHING else. If they can't load and navigate your site, everything else is a complete waste of time. And loading the site, means without errors, so obviously it must have SSL also.
almost 40% visit on their phones now. If they are struggling to view the site, they ain't staying. Period.
Problem solving. A beautiful site that doesn't address the pain points of its owners or their customers is wasted.
Punch them in the throat with "Here is how you benefit" by selecting our service/product.
Everthing else, including who you are, what you do must fall well beneath that. I don't care what you do. I care what you do FOR ME!
Okay, not advocating literal throat punching, but it should feel like that when they think, Why didn't I find this solution sooner?"
- An introduction
Let the visitor learn who you are, what you do and for whom you do it (props to Amanda DiBiase).
- A call to action
Invite the visitor to further invest in your service by calling, writing, enlisting, whatever
Just get their buy in! (Props to Mark Saintonge).
- Accurate contact information throughout the site (props to Pamela Sissons).
At the very minimum a phone number should be visible at all times.
If you prefer, then offer a floating chat or email button that still offers that personal touch.
- Functionality
There is nothing more frustrating to a potential client than a broken link!
It is almost the same as telling your client "No, we won't make sure your job is done correctly."
I'm sure there are plenty of other answers. I'm sure they are all good. I tried to give credit to the other members that provided answers that fell inline with mine. It really comes down to the experience your client feels. If your site expresses the same level of welcome your shop or office does, then your client will be as likely to close with you as if he or she were standing in your store.
Content
The primary purpose of a business website is to convert prospects into leads and leads into customers. To do this it needs content that speaks the language of people searching for solutions your company's products deliver. Content should be created for all different positions in your sales funnel.
Top: awareness content that lets people know you offer products in that niche. This is for prospects who are discovering they have a need for products in your niche and are doing their initial research.
Middle: interest content that helps educate them about solutions and promotes your offerings more directly as the solution they are looking for. This is for prospects who are acutely aware of their problem and are looking for either education or companies that solve the problem.
Bottom: purchase content that clearly shows a prospect the USP of your offering. This content helps show your point of differentiation (POD or USP) from the rest of the market. This type of content is for prospects who know they have a problem, are aware of the different companies in the niche and are deciding which solution to purchase.
By structuring your content this way you have a natural process that allows visitors to move down your funnel.
Traditional websites don't work like they did in the early days, but still, businesses continue to use them and typically don't get leads or sales this way.
The more effective way to have an online presence is through web funnels. A funnel takes a web visitor from point A to point B to point C, while successfully collecting the visitor's contact information, presenting a call-to-action and then having the person jump onboard a social media site or two (of the business's).
How is this done?
An effective presentation (i.e. good graphics, good copy and funnel director pointers).
The hitch? Businesses gotta give something to get this information - a freebie or an irresistable offer.
Web funnels can be successful for any type of business.
As one of only 50 Builderall certified partners in the world, I regularly make highly engaging web funnels.
For more information, give me a shout
Jim
A goal and strategy... content, images etc don't matter if there is no purpose.
ease of navigation, composition, content
Marketing and Search Engine Optimization (keywords) go hand in hand for getting new clients. You must get them to your web site and once they are there you must tell them what you do, why you are different and better than your competition, and why they should go with you in less than 30 seconds, because 60% on average of your site visitors are there less than 30 seconds.
The Website Process Should Never Begin With Design
Design is fun and creative. And nine times out of 10, most companies begin the process to build a website with a design, whether it's new or a redesign. Rushing into design without a strategic plan is one of the reasons so many websites fail to meet the expectations or deliver ROI.
Think about it. Design is solving problems. If you haven't defined the problems, you can't possibly expect the design to present meaningful solutions.
We start by first preparing a plan, keywords, navigation and site map. These are key questions:
What is the goal of the web site?
Who is your target audience?
What are your focused keywords that have traffic?
What information do you wish to provide your site visitors?
How can you present your information so site visitors may convert themselves to customers?
These questions will naturally lead into discussion around requirements for SEO, navigation, application integration, video, social media, etc. The more prepared you are, the closer the website design, and every other aspect of the website will be to supporting the goals of your company, and serving its site visitors, saving a great deal of your time, money, and frustration.