You’re a small business ready to take things to the next level in 2024. What can you do? One of the first points of focus should be your website. A professional website can drive significant traffic to your brand. About 73% of small businesses have websites, and Google searches for ‘small business website’ have increased 30% over the past five years, with no sign of slowing down.
That means there’s a lot to gain by investing in a quality website. A professional design can give you an edge over the competition, draw more leads to your business, and showcase what your company offers. At Succeeding Small, we’ve seen first-hand the difference a professionally designed website can have on small business success.
Let’s break down the website designs you need to know about to grow your small business in 2024 and beyond.
The Importance of High-Quality Website Designs
Having a well-designed website is crucial if you want to scale your small business this year. If your site is less than impressive, you may lose more potential customers than you gain. According to a 2023 survey, 38.5% of users judge a company by how its website looks. Therefore, you must make a great first impression every time. No pressure, right?
Before you start sweating, trust us when we say that creating an incredible website with a design that always impresses visitors is possible. You just need the right tools — and people — in your corner.
How to Create a Small Business Website That Drives Sales
Designing the perfect website for your business involves strategy, creativity, and some technical know-how. Steps to take include:
Gathering Inspiration
Take a look at your competitors’ websites and other brands that inspire you. Note what you like and want to see on your site as well.
Choosing the Right Platform
With so many website builders and platforms to choose from, how do you know which one will best suit your small business’s needs? We like WordPress because it offers limitless SEO and customization options, as well as impressive site speed capabilities.
Optimizing Site Performance
Website speed and responsiveness are crucial to keeping visitors engaged. 47% of consumers expect a page to load in two seconds or less.
Fortunately, with a top-tier website design, you can enjoy an influx of interested prospects for many years. It’s an investment you don’t have to make very often, making it well worth consulting a professional rather than trying to design the perfect website yourself.
Web Design Tips for Small Businesses
Do you want a design that meets user expectations and drives more customers to your front door? We recommend:
Consistent Branding
Brand consistency involves presenting the same visuals, values, personality, and brand messaging across every customer touchpoint — including your website. Consistent branding can increase website conversions by 33%, making it a crucial element of any professional website design.
In this digital age, most people access the internet from their smartphones. Data from 2023 shows that 58.3% of all web traffic comes from mobile devices. Additionally, according to a survey by Zippia, 57% of consumers say they wouldn’t recommend a business with a poorly designed mobile website. So, how can you ensure your website design looks great on iPhones, Androids, tablets, and other smart devices?
Optimizing for Mobile
Optimizing your site for mobile involves:
- Using high-resolution images
- Opting for responsive design
- Considering readability
- Limiting pop-ups
Including Strong CTAs
A beautiful website is terrific (and necessary) for success, but don’t underestimate the significance of a solid call to action. Well-crafted CTAs placed strategically throughout your website will prompt users to take the next step in their customer journey, leading to more conversions.
Having a Simple Navigation Style
When someone clicks on your website, you want them to be able to find the information they’re looking for. A simple navigation style on the header allows users to explore your website quickly, encouraging them to stay on your site longer. This boosts your chances of a conversion.
Being Accessible
You want your website to be accessible to anyone interested in your services. Therefore, your site must accommodate individuals with auditory, cognitive, visual, or motor disabilities. You can achieve this by incorporating the following elements in your web design:
- Contrasting colors
- Easy navigation
- Alt text
- Video captions
Integrating Testimonials
According to research on customer reviews, 92.4% of consumers use reviews to guide their purchasing decisions. If you have strong testimonials (which we’re confident you likely do!), integrating them throughout your website design can go a long way in building trust with leads.
Partnering With a Web Design Professional
A lot goes into creating a perfect website that incorporates all of the above while best representing your brand’s unique style, mission, and values. That’s where a professional web designer comes in. They’ll be able to take your ideas and branding and combine them with the necessary design elements to ensure your website is beautiful, accessible, easy to navigate, and optimized for mobile.
Grow Your Small Business With Professional Website Designs
The right website design can do wonders for your small business in 2024 and for many years to come. Think about what you like and expect when browsing the web. You can even consult with your customers to learn what drew them into your business and what they think your website needs to attract future leads. With quality web design, the sky’s the limit to what your small business can achieve.
If you’re looking for a partner who understands the importance of high-quality website designs and can transform your current site into a lead-generating machine, look no further than the expert team at Succeeding Small. We can design the perfect website for your brand, helping you grow more than ever in 2024 and beyond.
Ready to take your business to the next level with Succeeding Small? Contact us today to schedule a free strategy session.