I’m often asked by my clients what major mistakes they should avoid with their websites. These are my top 3:

1. Failing to decide the purpose of the website

Do you want the site to persuade clients to contact you? Should you be selling online from it? Do you want to provide support to your customers from the site? Answering questions such as these will help your web developer to design an effective site.

Too many business owners seem to think that a website is something that all businesses have to have these days alongside business cards, business stationery and brochures. They don’t give it any more thought than that. The result is a site that contains a mish-mash of text and images that seem to have been added merely to fill up the pages.

2. Failing to be clear about the business

The site should be written so that, as soon as I enter it, I can see what the business does, who the target clients are, what area the business operates in and some proof that the business can deliver what it says it can deliver.

Too often I enter a site and see the Home page rambling on about things that tell me nothing about the business. I don’t want a history lesson about your business. I don’t want to know the ins and outs of the technology you use. I want to know what your business can do for me. If what I read matches my requirements then I’ll contact you. Which brings me on to…..

3. Failing to make it easy for customers to contact the business

Ensure that the phone number is clearly visible on every page. Include the address as well. I’m not prepared to hunt for this information. If I can’t find it in 5 seconds I will go to another site.

Avoid these pitfalls and you will be well on the road to having a website that will generate business for you.