As the number of internet users increases, businesses are increasingly using websites to reach their target audience. There is increased competition online, too, as brands try to outdo their competitors. There is an increased focus on online footprints, and more businesses are either launching or revamping their websites.
Businesses can easily enhance their outreach to their audience. They can create customized messages and reach out to a broader audience. The activities involved in launching a website are overwhelming. In this article, we will discuss the factors to consider during website launching.
The objectives of the website
When you are starting your business, you need a robust business plan. Similarly, when you are launching your website, you must have clear strategies for using your website. For example, will it be to showcase your thought leadership in the industry? Or will it be to gather high-quality leads? The objectives of the website must be clear even before you finalize other activities.
It would be best if you kept in mind that the strategies you choose for the website will have a bearing on the workflows you create for the website. The features that you will choose will also help decide the content management system ideal for your website.
Who is the audience?
Once you have finalized the strategies for the website, you must understand the demographics of the audience. The personas you choose will also allow you to create intricate workflows and content on the site. When the target audience is finalized, you can finalize the fonts, colors, and CTAs on the site.
Once you finalize the audience, you can understand what they will search for on the website. You can set adequate controls later that will allow you to assess the search patterns of the audience. It will help you to create targeted content for them. It is also essential to develop adequate content that will increase the dwell time on the site.
The website design
You must choose a CMS that can ensure that your website is robust and caters to the needed functionalities. The security aspects must be considered too. The design must cater to the intricate workflows that it will have to reach out to the audience. It will also showcase the ability and integrity of your business.
A well-designed website can help to increase the dwell time on the site. The design must be enticing enough such that the visitors interact more with you. You can create CTA buttons at ideal places to help visitors gain more insights into your business.
Create enticing content
You must create content that targets the audience and can answer the queries they may have in their minds. The promotional strategies will also revolve around the type and quality of content you have on the website. The web content must be targeted at providing the visitors’ complete information about your portfolio and how you can address the concerns of the visitors.
It is also essential to showcase your thought leadership in the field. You must include a blog page whereby you can create articles that cater to your operations. You can also have a knowledge base that can allow the visitors to gain more knowledge about your business.
Show trust factors
The visitors will trust your business only when they come across the trust factors on the site. You must provide the contact coordinates with the phone number and email ID. You can also mention when your team will be available to answer the queries of the visitors. It is better if someone is available 24X7.
You can also use technology to enhance the trust factors on the site. For example, having a FAQ section can allow the visitor to have ready information about your operations. The use of chatbots can also act as the first line of customer support activities on your website. You can also use them to record the visitors as incoming leads.
Install SSL certificate
One of the essential factors to consider during website launching is the need for an SSL certificate. Many visitors look for the padlock sign on the address bar before visiting a website. It enthuses trust in the audience’s mind that the website is safe. It can also prevent the “Not Secure” warning that can lead to several visitors abandoning your website right there.
The certificate ensures that an encrypted communication channel is set up with the visitor’s browser. It also helps to authenticate the browser that the visitor is interacting with an entity that has been validated. Most certificates also come with a Trust Seal that allows further ascertaining the authenticity of the website. Thus, you can buy and install a cheap Comodo SSL that is bound to come within your budget.
Making the website SEO responsive
Your website must come up during keyword search. It is possible only when you follow SEO best practices. It starts by ensuring you have an SSL certificate and the website content is optimized with the keywords you have targeted. Always ensure that it satisfies the on-page SEO requirements that include having the page title and meta description to meet SEO requirements.
The sitemap must be in place and submitted to the search engines. The website must allow the search engines to crawl them. The site must load within 3 – 4 seconds to prevent visitors from abandoning the site. The site must be responsive, too, and must allow mobile users to have a seamless view.
Improve your outreach
You can allow the visitors to reach out to your social media pages and have access to additional content. Enabling the social sharing buttons can also help them to share the content they like with others. The website cannot also be used as the ideal way to increase leads in the pipeline. Pop-ups can be used to increase the list for newsletter recipients or targeted webinars.
You can utilize chatbots as a great way to enhance outreach to the audience. In addition, there are specific alert mechanisms that can send notifications when your website is mentioned. Also, invest in social bookmarking activities that can help you to expand your audience base and provide the much-needed backlink juice for the site.
Hosting services
One of the most important factors to consider when launching a website is the web hosting provider you choose. Always consider the security setup of the data centers when you are finalizing the agreement. You can request testimonials from current clients that can help you in finalizing a reputed web hosting partner.
It is suggested that you do not opt for the free hoisting options as they usually do not come with adequate security or customer support. It would help if you also considered whether the hosting partner has 24X7 support and communication medium. The uptime of the data center and the site loading speed are other factors you must consider.
Conclusion
Businesses use their website as the primary means of communicating with their audience. Targeted messages and CTA buttons are the ideal ways of outreach. The sites are also the primary means of gathering leads. There are several activities that you must perform before the website launch.
Website security is a matter of concern, and there must be adequate security policies, and you must install an SSL certificate. We have discussed the critical factors to consider when launching your website. In addition, you must conduct site audits to assess whether everything is in order.