WEB SITE BASICS BY THE NUMBERS

Despite several technical and security differences between the two, both still rely on the same three basic internet rules to get customers.

1. Design - This single element can decide whether a prospective client stays or clicks away. An attractive design is essential, and it must work on whatever device the visitor is using, including tablets and phones.

In your local area there may be many other businesses offering the same products or services as you. Your web site has to look at least as professional as your competitors on the first page of the searches.

2. Functionality - This goes hand in hand with the design, yet is its own discipline. When a site is being designed, it has to be created with the majority of the viewing public in mind.

There are literally dozens of things a professional developer has to take into consideration at this stage. If the site's navigation is confusing, or worse, does not function correctly on their mobile device, the user will leave.

If things take a long time to load, items or information are missing, or videos don't play, you have lost a potential client.

One caution regarding videos: if your videos are set to automatically start, this is can be frustrating for mobile viewers. If your automatic video eats at their data plan, they may leave.

3. Search Visibility - The dreaded search engines. The most amazing site on the planet is worthless if nobody can find it. Search engines are laws unto themselves, and each has its own ways of judging web sites.

Google rates sites in a different way to Bing and Yahoo, and so it is the web developer's job to find the 'sweet spot' to get the best results on both. The searches also regularly change their algorithms and rules, keeping us web developers on our toes.

To make sure that all of the above work correctly is a constant job, but it is completely worth it for the client's business.

If you have concerns with your web presence reaching your widest customer base, now is the perfect time to look into our WebUpdate system sites, which take advantage of advanced SEO, social, and responsive features to give your business the best competitive edge online.