How to Make Your Website Stand Out in 2021

If the Covid-19 pandemic has taught us one thing, it’s that having an established online presence is paramount for all businesses, regardless of what industry you are operating in. Unfortunately, standing out from the crowd online is not an easy task. Some businesses spend a fortune making sure that their website and social media accounts are unique, engaging, and reflective of their products, services, and culture.

While you should be prepared to invest at least a little money (and a lot of time) into your online presence, there are a few standard strategies you can use to help build a website that speaks to who your company is. Any good web development company will tell you that web design is about thinking smart and understanding how to use the resources at your disposal. Continue reading to discover essential tips that will first attract customers to your website but more importantly, keep them there!

Get the basics right

You’ll need to organise a few important things before developing your website. The first of these is a domain name. Make sure your domain name is relevant (ideally the name of your business) and professional.

Next up, you will need to find a web hosting company. Web hosting companies provide space for you to store your files and facilitate your online presence. There are a number of different web hosting companies out there and they are not created equally. The speed and functionality of your website can come down to the quality of your server, so make sure you pick the right host.

Map your customer journey

We might be spending more time than ever before online, but that doesn’t mean we want to waste it working out how to get from point A to point B on a website.

A web development services team will include a UX and UI designer, whose role it is to map out the customer journey. Spend time moving through your website as if it is your first time viewing it. Does it feel intuitive? If your customer decides to explore the site, is it easy for them to find their way back? How long will it take them to reach their desired goal?

Time is a precious thing, and in 2021, your website needs to be clear and efficient.

Interactivity is key

Given how competitive the online space is, one way that you can stamp your mark is by injecting your website with some form of life. Your customers need to know that you are active online and will be responsive to any questions they have.

There are a few ways you can do this. Chatbots are a very popular feature on many eCommerce websites, and are a great use of AI technology. You can also include links to your social media profiles (which you should certainly be posting on regularly) and use blog posts to update your customers on the latest happenings in your business.

Use high quality images

Your website is a virtual shop window, which is why it pays to invest in high quality images and videos. Not only should your graphics be first-rate, they should also be inclusive and reflective of your target audience.

People respond well when they are able to visualise themselves in a situation. If you run an activewear company, for example, make sure your clothes are modelled on a wide variety of people. This strategy will automatically increase your potential customer base.

Include call to actions

Humans are pretty smart but sometimes we just want to be told what to do. This is where a call to action enters the picture.

By identifying the purpose of your website and clearly indicating how customers can achieve their goals, people who visit your website are likely to stick around for longer and leave satisfied with their overall experience.

Of course, you need to be careful with call to actions. While statements such as ‘sign up here!’ and ‘buy now!’ should be clearly visible, you don’t want to go overboard, bombarding your customers with pop-ups they feel they can’t escape from.

Keep it simple and consistent

Making your website stand out from the crowd doesn’t mean that you have to use flashy animations or bright, bold colour schemes. In fact, web users often respond best to a simple, minimalistic design.

The most important thing you can do from a design perspective is adopt a uniformed, consistent style. This refers to your use of colour, font, graphics, and tone. If you haven’t ever thought about these elements of your online presence before, it’s a great idea to reach out to a professional web development company. They can help you develop a brand that reflects your company while also making it easy for your website to stand out from the crowd.