In 2021, more than 2 billion people shopped online around the world, and online shopping is only expected to continue to grow. Whether you sell a product or a service, having a professional website is essential for bringing in and retaining business. A well-done website is important for creating brand credibility, creating a 24-hour shopping experience, and helping your company to stand out from the competition. There are several ways you can make your company’s website look more professional.
1. Use a CMS Behind the Scenes
One of the best things you can do for your business is to learn about content management systems and implement one that works for you. A feature-rich CMS not only makes your website look more professional but also makes your work easier as well. The right CMS will provide a wide variety of benefits that includes blogging support, website creation, and even integration into your company’s social media accounts. You should be able to integrate themes that display your company’s brand, include forms for your clients to contact you, and create an overall more professional appearance on the web.
Be sure to look at the features behind the scenes as well. Security is one of the most important. Some security features to look for include multi-factor authentication, firewalls, strict permissions settings, and protection against malware. The CMS should also be user-friendly and allow you to create logins for additional users. For example, you may have one person who blogs and another who updates your website as needed, and both should have access to the CMS to do their jobs efficiently.
2. Use a Style Guide
You probably already know that proper spelling and grammar are important for making your company look more professional, but have you considered the use of a style guide? If you’ve heard of AP Style or Chicago Style, those are examples of style guides. While it’s ok to follow a pre-made guide, the best idea is to create a style guide that you tailor specifically to your company and that you use on every page of your website, on every blog, and on every social media post.
In addition to proper spelling and grammar, a style guide decides whether you write using American or British English, when to use hyphens, and which words will be stylized for the sake of staying on brand. The guide also determines which fonts you use for headers, which font you use for the content body, and even which colors you use for headers and links. It will also determine your overall voice, whether you want your writing to be ultra-professional or more casual and laid back.
3. Use a Limited Color Palette
When you’re creating your website, it can be tempting to use all of your favorite colors, especially if you run a fun, upbeat type of business. However, even customers that expect something more upbeat from your company can be turned away from a website that has too many colors on it. That’s because too much color can make it much harder to read what you have to say and can even distract from pictures or videos that you include on your website.
The best idea is to use a plain white background and black for most of your text. Your header logo, sidebar, and heading text should all be only one or two colors. If you already have a brand logo, stick to the colors on your logo. If you don’t, there are websites that allow you to compare color wheels and help you find something that fits your brand.
It’s easy to see the benefits of professionalism when it comes to your bottom line. If you don’t know how to create a website yourself, do not be afraid to hire an experienced web designer to help you. The chances are that you will quickly earn back you money and then some by bringing in new business with your shiny new website and social media accounts.
