The year 2020 has been tough for a lot of businesses. A report from the Washington Post revealed that more than 100,000 small businesses in the US have shuttered permanently because of the pandemic.

If you’re one of the fortunate companies that have survived the pandemic-induced recession, you’ll need to step up your efforts to bounce back this 2021.

At the start of the year, you’ll want to re-assess your online marketing plan to attract more customers, including the need for a website design overhaul. Business websites require periodic updating over time, much like your overall marketing strategy. If you can’t remember the last time you updated your home page, then you need to plan for a site makeover.

When improving the design of your business website, apply these strategies:

1. Optimize Your Site for Mobile Users

Mobile phone ownership is increasing rapidly across the globe. A report from Pew Research found that over five billion individuals have mobile devices, and more than half of these devices are smartphones.

If you haven’t tailored your website to fit the wants and needs of your customers, now is the time to do so. When you’re not sure how your site is faring in terms of mobile-friendliness, use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool. This will help you zero in on specific areas of your website that require improvement.

2. Introduce a Blog on Your Website

If your site doesn’t have a blog yet, remember to include this in your website redesign plan. A blog keeps your prospective customers engaged and encourages user interaction.

What’s more, blog posts generate more traffic for your business, which results in more sales. If you’re thinking of boosting your search engine optimization efforts and beautifying your website at the same, make sure you add a blog to your home page.

3. Make Your Website Easy to Navigate

Navigation is crucial when designing your website. It allows visitors to find the product or service they need easily.

The last thing you want in a site is a confusing or disorganized navigation interface. When overhauling the look of your website, fix poor design practices, such as lack of organization, vague hypertext, and overstuffed navigation.

Also, add features that will help shoppers find what they need on your website. This may include responsive design, better navigation hierarchy, and streamlined content.

By having organized and clean navigation, you’re letting users know that they’ll have a hassle-free time exploring your website.

4. Use the Right Stock Photos

Using original photos for your website is always the best option. If you don’t have original pictures that you can upload to your site, you can settle for the next best thing: royalty-free, stock images.

Although opting for stock photos can save you time, not every free image will contribute to your branding. Some can undermine the credibility of your business.

When picking these kinds of pictures, stay away from cheesy images. If you’re selling gaming PCs, for instance, avoid photos of an office worker flashing an exaggerated smile while using a computer. They’re not realistic or even relevant to what you’re selling.

Instead, search for images that depict realistic scenes. An example is a photo of a person focused on playing a real-time strategy game using a PC that you’re selling on your website. Being more mindful with image selection will help you represent your brand better.

5. Add Visible and Strong Calls-to-Action (CTAs)

Your site is a place that lets you sell your products or services. So, make sure that your web pages have compelling CTA statements. Here are a few tips to help you write good calls-to-action on your website:

  • Begin your CTA with a command verb. Let your target market know exactly what you want them to do, and don’t beat around the bush. If you’re running an e-commerce website, for instance, start your statements with words like shop, order, buy, and purchase.
  • Include numbers in your CTA whenever possible. Consumers respond well to seeing figures, such as discounts and rebates. Numbers help people determine if the product or service that you offer is worth buying or splurging.
  • Use the concept of Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) to your advantage. When prospective customers think that they’re going to lose out on an opportunity that may not come around again, they may consider hopping on the bandwagon. A couple of examples that feature the FOMO concept include, “Buy our products today while supplies last” and “Shop today! Our massive price discount ends on Friday.”

Take note of these five suggestions when giving your website a makeover. By applying these tips, you can dramatically improve the experience, performance, and customer conversion rates of your business.