The rapid advance of internet technology and the use of mobile devices has changed the way people shop. For businesses, that opens up all kinds of new possibilities. And whether your business exists in the real world or online, the way to connect with customers is online. Having an online presence with your own website and social media lets you communicate exactly the kind of information that people are looking for. Web design is the key to getting and holding their attention online, and using professional web design services can help you do just that.
How people shop
The internet has changed the way people live, work and play. It’s also changed the way that people shop, and businesses are scrambling to keep up with the technology as well as customer habits. One feature of this new world of retail stands out – whether they shop online or in brick-and- mortar stores, customers rely on the internet to research products and services.
As many as 70% to 80% of all shoppers will first look for information online before making a purchase. They will be researching the company and its products online, comparing prices, and reading customer reviews before making up their minds. They may even be looking for information about your return policies, locations, hours and directions. That’s why every business needs an online presence in order to connect with their customers.
Meet them where they live
Your customers practically live online, and that’s how you can best communicate with them. Having your own website, social media pages on sites like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest makes it possible to share information about your products and services, location, hours, and special offers. Sometimes pictures speak much louder than words, and the beauty of the internet is that it lets you share all kinds of media – photos, videos and podcasts – as well as words.
But there’s more to it than just being online. You must have an effective online presence. Web development specialists will tell you that in order to stand out from the crowd of competitors, your website needs search engine optimization or seo. Simply put, that means when people search for keywords connected to your business, your website should show up on the first or second page of search results. Given that Google, the leading search engine in the world, sees about 4 billion searches every day, that takes some effort.
Why you need professional web design services
A digital agency can take over the entire task of maintaining your online presence and making sure you connect with your customers. They understand that what businesses are most concerned with is increasing sales and promoting their brand awareness. In fact a survey found that in 2017, over half or 51.3% of businesses surveyed said that their highest priority was driving sales. For 48.4% of the businesses the highest priority was building brand awareness.
Web design services can help you achieve both goals. What customers are looking for online is a site that is easy to navigate and offers a good experience. Research from Sheffield and Northumbria universities in the U.K. shows that for 94% of all internet uses, website design is the first factor that influences impressions of a business. A professionally designed site can give you the advantage and help you stand out from the competition.
Using professional web design services can help your business to connect with customers and put the power of the internet to work for you. Shopping has changed dramatically with the proliferation of mobile devices, and you can build an effective web presence to improve sales and promote brand awareness.