Credit: Joy Gendusa, Founder and CEO of PostcardMania – www.postcardmania.com

Small businesses tend to think websites are not a high priority when it comes to spending money. Nothing could be further from the truth! A professional website can be used as a 24-hour selling tool to convert prospects into customers…

Use these tips below to turn your website from a profit-sucking bench warmer to a money-making all-star!

1. Clean up your Homepage

• Cluttered homepages have visitors running for the “back” button faster than you can say “there goes that lead.”
• Your homepage should present clearly and simply, who your company is, what you provide/offer, how to contact you and a reason to visit your other pages for more information.

2. Don’t over-design — it’s not an art contest

• It doesn’t matter how impressive your fancy Flash introduction is if nobody knows what you can do for them.
• People use the internet to get information. Unless you are a graphic designer displaying your portfolio, keep the designs to a minimum.
• Make sure every graphic supports your message. If it doesn’t — ditch it.

3. Make it easy to navigate

• If your “About Us” “Products/Services” or other pages are not clearly placed, people won’t bother finding them.
• As a general rule, go by the two-click rule. Prospects should be able to get to any page on your site in two clicks. This is ideal. If it takes more than four, nobody will bother.

4. Keep your URLs and links short and sweet

• Choose simple, informative URLs for your site.
• You want your URLs to be easy to remember and contain keywords that are easily identified by search engines.

5. Focus on your content

• The words on your site sell your company, not the modern design.
• Always list the BENEFITS of using your product or service. Don’t assume people already know — they don’t!

6. Show off those pearly whites!

• Display a picture of you or your team somewhere on the site.
• Customers’ trust levels increase when you appear more “human.”

7. Never forget SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

• Search Engine Optimization means making sure every word on your site helps people find you on search engines. For example, type in “postcard marketing” in Google and PostcardMania is in the search results.
• Remember, people searching for your product or service already want it… don’t neglect them!

8. Put in time behind the scenes…and get with the program

• The coding and programming for your site are vitally important, though nobody can see it.
• Well-programmed sites can improve your search engine rankings and allow you to easily update your content.

9. Get their info

• Placing a fill-in form on your site is an easy way to get a new lead’s contact info.
• People won’t give it away for free, so offer a free report or exclusive web coupon in exchange for at least their email and name (address and phone number are bonus!).

10.DON’T BE CHEAP!

Your website is not something you want to cut corners on! Your nephew who “knows computers” is not the man for the job. You need a website development company that offers the following services:

• Web Design and Marketing
• SEO
• Copywriting
• Programming

Your website is the link to a multitude of prospects that may be researching your product or service online. You need to make an impression and create awareness that your business exists. Over 85% of consumers will visit your website before calling or coming into your location — so it’s important to make a good impression with a professional web design.