You probably updated your website at the beginning of the pandemic, but have you given it another look? Lots has changed in the past year, and it's more important than ever to keep your customers informed. Start with your website — double check to make sure all of your information is accurate and make sure you're providing the best possible user experience for everyone that visits your site.
We’ve been dealing with the COVID pandemic for over a year now, which means everyone has had to adapt to the new normal — or as we like to call it — the NEW new normal. When all of this began a year ago, most of us probably assumed that after a few weeks of quarantine, we’d be able to resume our normal lives. But that has yet to happen — instead, we’ve adjusted to this NEW new normal that includes mask wearing, social distancing and hoarding every type of hand sanitizer we can find.
So how does all of this play into your business? For starters, it’s critical to keep your customers informed about the measures you’re taking to keep them safe while shopping and slow down the spread of COVID-19. Your website should play a big part in keeping your customers in the know — after all, it’s likely the first place they’ll go to find out where, when and how they can shop.
If you haven’t done so recently, we recommend checking in on your website to make sure that all of your content is accurate and up to date. A lot has changed — even since the beginning of the pandemic — and it’s important for your website to reflect those changes.
But where do you start? We’ll go over the basics.
Keep it real.
The last thing you want to do is mislead potential customers, so start by auditing your website’s content to make sure everything is accurate and up to date. Remove any outdated content and replace it with accurate information. Have your operating hours changed since the beginning of the pandemic? Has your contact information changed? Make sure that any changes you’ve made to your operation are correct on your website.
Inform your customers.
Now more than ever, it’s important to build trust with your customers. When customers can easily find what they’re looking for on your website, they’re more likely to bring their business to you rather than looking elsewhere.
Your homepage is a great place to start — it’s the first thing your audience sees when they visit your website. Refresh your website to show how your company is doing its part in slowing the spread of COVID-19. Update photos and videos to include masks and other safety procedures such as sanitized workspaces, and make sure that any important information is displayed clearly on your homepage.
Simplify the experience.
Your website should showcase who you are, what you do and the problem you solve for your customers. The goal is to grab your audience’s attention and tell your story by providing an experience through your website (rather than mundane, boring content).
If you haven’t in a while, put yourself in your customers’ shoes and navigate through your website. While you do that, keep in mind the information that your customers commonly look for. Is it easy to find, or do you find yourself confused? If you have any doubts, it may be a good idea to restructure your site’s organization. Be sure that the navigation is simple and easy to understand. That way, you won’t waste anyone’s time, and customers are more likely to shop with you.
Overwhelmed? We can help.
We know it’s a busy time for everyone, and lots of businesses are in survival mode. Don’t let your website stress you out — your focus should be your business and your customers. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, our team is here to help. We’d love to assist in auditing your content and organizing your website to put you in your best light. Call us today and together, we’ll pave the way for continued success.
