As a professional website designer, I am always amazed at the number of business websites out there that make it nearly impossible to do business with the company via the website.
Here is a list of 5 things that I recommend you check to make sure your website is working for you and not against you.
1. Does it state where you are willing to sell your products or services? Worldwide, nationwide, regionally, locally? If not worldwide, do you clearly state where you are? I have seen sites that were clearly local services that didn’t even say what state they were in.
2. Does it make it easy for customers to ask questions? No matter how clear you think you have been, there will always be someone with a question. You should have a contact link or email link on every page.
3. Do you have photos of your product or examples or your work? Not many are willing to buy a product sight unseen.
4. How easy is it to order from you? You should have a shopping cart button or order form link in a highly visible spot. Make it clear what payment methods you accept, what your shipping charges are, and how the product will be shipped. Link the order form to a confirmation page so the customer is assured that the order went through.
5. What if the customer is not satisfied with the product? Have you made your return policies clear? Who is responsible for shipping if something is returned? Do you allow refunds, or just exchanges? What if the item was damaged during shipping? You need to make the customer feel secure in placing an order with you.
If your website doesn’t look professional, doesn’t answer their questions, and doesn’t make it easy for people to buy from you,they will surf on to the next site that does. So take some time to make sure your website is working for you and not against you.
Melisa McCurley, Owner of Virtually Designed, affordable website design for small & home businesses. Editor of Biz Bytes – free ezine designed to help you start, run, and prosper at your small business. bizbytes-subscribe@egroups.com
