Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/819060
W EEKLY EDITION MAY 3, 2017 Business Websites: The Why, What, and How By Chelsey Masich, PSAI Membership Coordinator In a world where the web is a dominant marketing tool, neglecting your company website is no longer an opti on. Use the following list to maximize the potential of your own site; you never know when a potential customer will come searching! **Note that a ll of the information below can also be used if you already have a website. Why have a website? • Many people u se the Internet to find and research products or services • It's now expected that a reputable company will have a website. • Your competition has one! • It's a space to show your recent projects and accomplishments. • A website is a 24/7 sales person. • You can cr eate resource pages for your employees. • You have control over your image. • You have the ability to offer deals, quotes, and other information. What to consider when creating a website: • Who is your target audience? • What information are they looking for? • Wha t do you want them to know about your company? Tips for a successful website: • Keep the layout clean and easy to read. Having too much going on can be distracting and hard to read. o Limit the number of fonts used. o Limit the number of colors or textures used . o Don't be afraid to leave white space. o Keep the style, colors, and fonts consistent with your current marketing materials. • Contact information should be easy to find. • Navigating the website should be simple. o This includes menus, categories, and search bar s. • Have a Call to Action (CTA). o Examples: "Join now!" or "Click here for a quote!" o A CTA Should start with a verb. • Make your purpose clear. o What can you do for the customer? o How will you accomplish that? • Add a personal touch. This helps connect the custome r to the real people behind the company. o This could be in the form of a team picture or the history of the company. • Make sure your website is mobile phone friendly. o Google penalizes websites that aren't mobile friendly. They end up lower in search results. • Make plans to update your website periodically with new information. P AGE 6 CONTINUED ON PAGE 7