Because we are experts in web design and development and have recently launched our very own brand new SEO solution for businesses in Liverpool and beyond. We are always asked these same questions on a constant basis:
Why aren’t people staying on my website? or Why aren’t they buying?
As with many technical questions – there isn’t always a direct answer that can be given straight away as the issue could be due to many factors that stop customers from taking that extra step and either making contact for more information or making a purchase.
For the purposes of this blog – we briefly go through some of the things we believe causes the above to happen, based on our previous knowledge and experience.
1: Website Not Designed Correctly:
One of the main things that customers will want to see when their browsing for a new service or want to purchase directly online is a professionally designed website.
In this day and age – there really is no excuse not to have an engaging design for your website, especially if it is to represent your business.
An offline example of this would be if you attended a networking event or business meeting. If you was to wear your old clothes that were torn or didn’t look appealing – would the customer buy? Would they stop to ask for more information?
Chances are – they would walk past without giving you a second thought.
This is the same for your website. The aim behind the design is to draw customers in visually, appealing to their first impressions by clearly showing that you mean business and have taken the time and effort to make the site look good just for them.
2: Functionality of the Website:
The next thing to look at – would be the functionality of the website itself.
We have found that if the customer can’t find the information or the product they are looking for in 3 clicks of the mouse or less – then they are most likely to leave and find another site that does provide them with what they want quickly and efficiently.
Website speed also plays a big factor into whether your customers will stay on the site or not. We have seen many sites that took 10 seconds + to just load in the homepage. Sites like this don’t get many sales because the potential customer has already left the site by the time the page appears.
If the idea is to sell products directly online – then your payment processor (way of accepting money) must be configured correctly. It the payment process were to stop functioning all together or half way through a purchase – this is an instant turn off and it’s guaranteed that the customer will go else were and will most likely not try a second time to make the purchase.
3: Website Security:
Whenever you sell products online or have a website that requires a customer to login and provide sensitive details – then the website must be secure.
Security is achieved by purchasing an SSL (Secure Socket Layer) Certificate that is placed over the website to make things secure. The SSL will scramble all information passed through the site i.e. client login / credit card details so if any hackers were watching the site trying to steal information – then all the would see is #k!225*##~ instead of the details the client types in and they want to obtain.
Having an SSL installed also provide you as a business and the client with insurance that ranges from £10,000 to £1,000,000 depending on the certificate purchased and the providers guarantee that if something were to go wrong and it is their fault – compensation would be paid to cover the damaged caused.
You can tell straight away if a website has a genuinely valid SSL Certificate installed by looking at the start of the website address were you will see a padlock (usually green/gray) and when you hover your mouse over it – a message will be displayed saying all is secure.
The website address / URL also changes from basic http:// to https:// were the s means secured.
Many customers are becoming aware of cyber threats online and over the next few years will not buy from a site that can’t prove that its safe.
4: Are you being seen?
Finally – you must determine if your website is even being seen at all. Statistics show that when customers are searching Google or other major search engines for products or services – they will only search as far as the first 3 pages of results.
This is now becoming more of a common practice the more businesses are starting to understand SEO (Search Engine Optimisation). They know that if a business can be found on the first 3 pages of Google – then that business is putting a lot of effort into their marketing strategy that enables them to be there.
Posting regular content on your website and online, creating links with other website owners and having a strong SEO support team powering your business online is now more vital than ever before.
Finally – one last thing that will definitely stop you from being found in search engines is when your website is not responsive, which basically means that your website will need to adapt seamlessly when viewed on any type of device i.e. mobile, ipad, laptop & desktop.
Websites built some time ago will not have this capability and without it – search engines like Google are now missing your website out of searches all together – so having that site up to date is very important.
If you find that you have any of the issue’s above – then contact us straight away for our assistance. We have many years experience in resolving the problems described above and are always here to help businesses increase their online presence and sales.