The Tuesday 10 Tech Tips: Winning Business Websites

Just as the eyes are said to be windows to the soul, your website serves as the digital storefront of your business. It’s often the first impression potential customers have of your brand, reflecting your values, professionalism, and offerings. A well-designed website can invite visitors in, engage them with your story, and convert them into loyal customers. On the other hand, a poorly crafted site may turn them away before they even explore what you have to offer. Your website isn’t just a window—it’s the front door, lobby, and heart of your online presence.

“But that’s a lot of pressure to put on my website”, you may say. Well, fear not friends! Gartner Technology presents The Tuesday 10 Tech Tips to guide you through the crucial aspects of business website design and development, ensuring your online presence thrives. Remember, we’ve been building websites since the mid 90’s. We know what works so you can confidently share this with your website people.

The internet in the 90’s – wow, fun times! Dial-up anyone?

1. Define Your Business Goals & Target Audience:

• What outcomes do you seek? Increased sales, lead generation, brand awareness, or a combination?
• Who are you trying to reach? Understanding your ideal customer’s needs and online behavior is key to crafting a website that resonates.

2. Prioritize User Experience (UX):

• First impressions matter! Your website navigation should be intuitive and user-friendly. Users should find what they need quickly and effortlessly.
• Responsive design is crucial. Your website should adapt seamlessly to desktops, tablets, and mobile devices for optimal user experience across all platforms.
• Speed is king! Partner with Gartner Technology to ensure your website loads lightning fast. Impatient users won’t wait for slow pages.

3. Content is Still Queen/King (Quing?):

• High-quality, informative content is essential. It engages visitors, establishes your expertise, and positions you as a trusted resource.
• Target relevant keywords to improve search engine ranking and drive organic traffic.
• Keep content fresh with regular updates. This shows your audience you’re engaged and provides them with valuable ongoing information.

4. Visual Appeal Matters – Make a Statement:

• Invest in high-quality images and videos that reflect your brand identity and resonate with your target audience.
• Maintain a consistent visual style throughout your website for a cohesive and professional look.
• Use white space effectively to create a clean and uncluttered user interface.

5. Optimize for Search Engines (SEO):

• Research relevant keywords and incorporate them naturally within your website content, page titles, and meta descriptions. These are the first things users see in search results, so make them count!
• Build backlinks by acquiring links from other reputable websites in your industry. This boosts your website’s credibility in the eyes of search engines.
• Gartner Technology offers comprehensive SEO strategies and implementation expertise to make your website discoverable.

6. Craft Compelling Calls to Action (CTAs):

• Tell users exactly what you want them to do, whether it’s contacting you, requesting a quote, subscribing to a newsletter, or making a purchase.
• Use strong verbs and visually appealing buttons to make your CTAs stand out and encourage user interaction.

7. Integrate Social Media – Amplify Your Reach:

• Make it easy for users to share your content and connect with you on social media platforms.
• Include social media sharing buttons and consider integrating social media feeds to showcase user engagement and build a community.
• Pro Tip: Have the posts that you write on your website automatically publish on your social profiles, which then link back to your website. This keeps your brand and your content under your control, while driving visitors to your site.

8. Security is Paramount – Protect Your Business:

• Implement a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate to protect user data and ensure a secure browsing experience. Besides, you don’t want site visitors to get a warning that your site is not secure.
• Regularly update website software and plugins to address security vulnerabilities.
• Back up your website data regularly to ensure you can recover in case of unforeseen issues. Good hosting companies offer comprehensive security solutions to keep your website safe.

9. Website Conversion Optimization – Turning Visitors into Customers:

• Analyze website traffic and user behavior using analytics tools.
• Identify areas for improvement and implement A/B testing to optimize your website for maximum conversions.
• Gartner Technology can help you understand website analytics and make data-driven decisions to optimize your conversion funnel.

10. Continuous Improvement – Stay Ahead of the Curve:

• The digital landscape is constantly evolving. Stay informed about new trends and technologies in website design and development.
• Be prepared to adapt and update your website over time to remain competitive and relevant. Gartner Technology stays ahead of the curve and can be your partner in continuous website improvement.

Bonus Tip: Mobile browsing reigns supreme! With a significant portion of web traffic coming from mobile devices, ensure a seamless mobile experience for optimal user engagement.

By following these Tuesday 10 Tech Tips and partnering with Gartner Technology’s expert website design and development team, you can build a business website that not only looks stunning but also converts visitors into loyal customers. Remember, your website is NOT the Field of Dreams. If you build it, they will not come. Your website is a valuable asset – requiring consistent time and effort into making it work for you!