A recent Google survey found that 59% of consumers will look up a product or service before making the financial commitment even if they're going to shop in person.
That means that even if your Brownsville customers are more likely to visit your brick and mortar location rather than shop with you online, you need to have a strong web presence.
Building a strong web presence starts with web design. A website that is quick, easy to navigate, and aesthetically appealing can make the difference between a slow year and a steady growth in sales.
The simple truth is that not every business owner is internet-savvy. Sometimes, your best bet is to work with a professional web design team. Keep reading for three reasons that our experts at M.A.R.Z. Web Solutions can help.
First Impressions Are Crucial
Have you ever heard of the 7-second rule? No, we're not talking about how long something can sit on the ground before you pick it up and eat it!
Countless studies have revealed that businesses have 7 seconds to make a good first impression on a consumer. This rule applies to your brick and mortar store but it also applies to your website, and it's something that you should take seriously.
A bad first impression online is harder to recover from than a bad in-person first impression. Why? The internet is abundant and your customers are a lot more likely to go looking for a different website after a bad first impression than they are to walk out of your store.
Mediocre web design tends to fail that first impression test. If your website is too cluttered, too slow, or too 1999, your customers will see it as a reflection of your business practices. They may worry about your professional skills, the quality of your products, or the security of your online payment features.
Investing in high-quality web design is a surefire way to make a great first impression and keep your customers coming back for more.
An Updated Look Builds Brand Recognition and Trust
One of the first steps to establishing long-term customer relations is building brand recognition. Brand recognition entails that a customer can see your logo or your company's name and instantly know who you are and what you sell.
After brand recognition comes brand trust. Having brand trust means that your customers don't just know who you are--they trust what you do. It means that they know and like your products, value your customer service, and trust that shopping with you is a smart decision.
Strong web design is concept-focused. Your website should be branded from start to finish, from a clear and attractive logo to a sensible color scheme. Even the font you use should evoke a sense of who you are as a brand.
When you're able to come through with a strong web design that isn't outdated, you send a message to your customers that you are professional. Your willingness to invest in your design and marketing shows that you don't cut corners and that you're always looking for ways to account for consumer needs and expectations.
Plus, it reduces the fear that your website isn't trustworthy. An updated look tends to come with an updated system, including the latest in consumer information protection. Your customers won't have to worry that signing up for your email list or entering their credit card information will come back to haunt them.
Good Web Design Provides High-Speed and Easy-to-Follow Navigation
If you've never heard of the Hick-Hyman Law, now is a good time to learn about it. Through psychological research, it was discovered that having too many options or complex considerations leads to a longer decision-making time. Most business owners know that if a customer is mulling over a decision for too long, they're more likely to walk away from a purchase.
How does this apply to your web design? Having a confusing layout or a slow loading time can trigger that same response described by the Hick-Hyman Law. In the end, your website can encourage customers to make their purchase--or back out altogether.
First, you want to focus on getting your website up to speed. A lot of times, outdated formats and programs can slow down your overall load time. By updating your system from the ground up, you'll find that your pages load more quickly.
Second, you want to reevaluate your layout with easy navigation in mind. Customers shouldn't have to hunt for the page they're looking for, whether it's your latest product or your contact information.
We have a strong grasp of the psychology of web navigation. We can look at your web design needs from the perspective of a customer and the logical progression they expect each web page to make.
By cutting out the lag and the confusion, we can help you land more sales by appealing to the consumer's need for speedy answers and even speedier rewards.
Let Us Help You Build a Website to Boost Your Business
If your Brownsville business is using an outdated website--or hasn't built up a web presence at all--we're here to help. Remember that even if your customers tend to shop with you in person, more than half of them are looking you up first. Don't miss out on sales because your web design doesn't meet the standards of your business!
M.A.R.Z. Web Solutions is proud to serve business owners in the Brownsville area by taking on their online needs. We focus on building a cutting-edge website so that you can focus on what really matters--your products, services, and customer relations.
Get started with us today by scheduling a consultation and learn more about how we can help.