8 Benchmarks For Web Site Success

September 13, 2012  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in on September 2012

Why are some Web sites more successful than others? Typically it€™s because they are designed to be user-friendly in a variety of ways. These so-called Best Practices can enable users and search engines to easily navigate a site, find what they are looking for and optimize a Web site for search engines.

Here are some proven Best Practices to consider:

1 Keep your Web site address simple
Make sure your Web site address is simple, easy to remember, and free of punctuation so customers can quickly and accurately view the site. To help in that regard and before committing to a Web address, type the URL out on a computer as it must be typed by users into a browser. You may be surprised at the outcome when all the letters run together.

2 Optimize the site for viewing by various browsers and devices
Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari are the most commonly used browsers and should be able to display a Web site layout and accommodate its functionality in the way it was designed. As the popularity of mobile devices such as iPads and smartphones continues to grow, ensure the Web site is compatible with and able to be viewed on mobile devices.

3 Be consistent
Creating a balanced, organized and easy-to-navigate site helps customers find products and information. Think of the Greeks and their view on aesthetics when updating or creating a Web site. Proportion and harmonious arrangement are always best.

4 Make sure all multimedia can be loaded and viewed by all browsers and devices
Multimedia is a great way to add interest and excitement to a Web site, but to be successful, the pictures and videos must load quickly and display properly. Also, avoid using Flash and €œpop-ups€ as these tools are often not compatible with mobile devices.

5 Be concise
The reason for a Web site is to drive in-store traffic and close sales. When writing page content, explain what you do best and what differentiates the store from the competition. The content should be concise and able to be skimmed. Try incorporating keywords and phrases into your page content. This will not only help your customers, but also help to optimize your site with search engines.

6 Use a proven color strategy
The colors you use on your Web site should evoke the same emotion that a customer would experience when walking into your store. Best Practices suggest a Web site should have a limited palette of approximately three colors that are easy on the eyes. Just remember that the colors displayed on a computer screen or mobile device are more vibrant than printed colors.

7 Be unique and stand out
Make your Web site a leading resource for consumers by utilizing current technology trends such as social media integration and mobile device optimization. Whether they are shopping for specific furniture, planning their rooms or just browsing, a site should stand out from your competition.

8 Always do maintenance
Web sites do not maintain themselves. Stay current with fresh content and layout styles. Check links regularly to ensure they work properly and refresh the homepage photography each season. Be sure the look, feel, style and care you put into a Web site mirror the effort that goes into a brick and mortar store. Just as furniture vignettes are constantly being moved and refreshed, the same maintenance should be done online.
Creating a Web site that educates customers, improves search engine rankings, and increases online and in-store sales is the ultimate goal. To get there, employ these eight Best Practices. HFB