[vc_row padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px”][vc_column fade_animation_offset=”45px” width=”1/1″ id=”” class=”” style=”margin:0px;”][custom_headline type=”center” level=”h2″ looks_like=”h3″ id=”” class=”” style=””]1. Website speed is the new SEO[/custom_headline][text_output]Website speed is the new SEO With more people now searching the web on mobiles than any other device, Google has included your page loading speed as a ranking factor for your websites search engine optimisation. Optimal page load times are now 3-5 seconds maxing out at 7-9 seconds. Studies show any longer than that and you risk losing the reader before they even get to your website. There are several strategies you can implement from backend code fixes to front end design changes that can help improve your web page load times. As a start you can change the look of your website for mobile devices by removing excessively large images and replacing them with smaller quality ones for smaller screens (No you can’t tell the difference in quality when looking) and large images and one of the top causes for slow loading pages. Another thing you can do is entirely remove design elements that clutter up your web page when being viewed on a mobile. Things like excess images, text and videos can either be coded to ‘lazy-load’, which means they only load up when the viewer gets to that section of the page or can be hidden entirely for mobile devices to allow a crisp and quick page load.
[/text_output][custom_headline type=”center” level=”h2″ looks_like=”h3″ id=”” class=”” style=””]2. If your website doesn’t cater to mobile you’re losing clients.[/custom_headline][text_output]If by now, you still haven’t upgraded your website to take into account mobile users then there is no doubt you are losing out big time on visitors, clients etc. Web browsing on-the-go is very much a part of everyday life for millions of people, this is why a mobile presence is very important for your business to embrace. Try to think of mobile as an entirely new way of advertising to your audience with the ability to be right there in their hand at any moment. This will also open the doors to mobile advertising and mobile search engine optimisation. Faster internet connections mean mobile video consumption is on the rise and should definitely be in your online marketing strategy.
[/text_output][custom_headline type=”center” level=”h2″ looks_like=”h3″ id=”” class=”” style=””]3. What does your online presence look like?[/custom_headline][text_output]Your online presence is becoming more and more vital for online business success. Even if you have a physical storefront, you’ll need to harness local online marketing in order to reach new customers. You need to make sure that you are visible to people close to your store by creating a listing in local directories, engaging in mobile marketing and building a local search presence through social media. Everyone’s on social media, so it makes sense for your business to be there too. Take advantage of popular social media networks by understanding where your audience and potential customer join. Make sure you know why your joining that social media site as you don’t want to be wasting your time, and possibly money, in the wrong area. Then, grow your presence by engaging with your network.
[/text_output][custom_headline type=”center” level=”h2″ looks_like=”h3″ id=”” class=”” style=””]4. Are you using e-commerce to sell or still taking orders over the phone?[/custom_headline][text_output]Use e-commerce to reach more customers and increase your sales. By adding e-commerce functionality to your website you allow customers to purchase products or services 24/7. Tap into the world of e-commerce and learn how to effectively sell your products online. Don’t be afraid to call in some help to set things up and teach you to manage your online store. Once your e-commerce store is setup it is time to make sure that everything is optimised for your customers so they can have the smoothest experience possible. This will help ensure they return in the future and prevent cart abandonment during the purchasing process. Then finally track and measure your sales and customers. Analysing your online sales can provide large amounts of data to help you target future sales campaigns like knowing the age, location or mobile device demographics from your customers. All this information can be placed back into your marketing strategy for future success.
[/text_output][custom_headline type=”center” level=”h2″ looks_like=”h3″ id=”” class=”” style=””]5. Minimalism design is out! Time for some flamboyance.[/custom_headline][text_output]After excessive use and having become too boring compared to other graphic design trends minimalistic design is on the way out. When mobile websites first started this was great as it allowed for quick loading and easy to read websites. However, as devices and internet connection speeds have vastly improved audiences are now ready for some excitement and flamboyant designs. For those of you who just won’t give up minimalistic design, try using cropped elements to add some more appeal and don’t be afraid to experiment with colours. You don’t need to take up the chaotic designs with swirling colours and contrasts but the right colour in the right place can still keep your design minimalistic but also provide your design with a slight pop.
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