First impressions last forever. Your website had better speak to your target audience and in the right way or another website will.
Your website should tell visitors everything they need to know in one click.
Test 1: Image
When clients visit your website the first thing they check is appearance and image.
Is your business purpose apparent when people look at the site or do they have to click through to find out more?
It’s not a treasure hunt. Visitors want to know what you’re all about and should see it.
Test 2: Function
The second test will be functionality. How well does your website work? Is it user-friendly or does it take forever to load?
Few clients will look past a dated, confusing landing page. But if you can’t be reached with one click because the site is down, an error message pops up, or a link is broken, the visitor has moved on to the next website.
Test 3: Contact
Does your e-mail form work and how quickly can they reach you? Can they reach you? Do you have a prompt that is updated to tell them that you will contact them immediately or within an hour? Does it link to your phone? Do you bother to respond to e-mails?
Do clients have to call you or can they catch you on Facebook or Twitter? Does your telephone number accept calls 24 hours a day? Will you be able to answer questions or will you drop the ball and lose a prospective client?
Test 4: Checkout
Some clients may be visiting to buy a product unless of course your PayPal button is broken.
Your checkout cart may be sticking…a little. Your product pictures may not allow them to click through to the next page or enlarge or get product details. Your form may be dysfunctional or you may not be “safe” to shoppers.
Success or Failure is One Click Away
Every link on the site should push visitors to another level of your site. But one bad click will stop the visitor where they are.
It doesn’t matter that you’re fixing it soon or that an existing client sees this and has been with you for years. Your website tells a visitor everything they need to know in one click.
Does your site pass these tests?
