Having an online presence that generates revenue for your business is more than just having a website. You need a website that’s consistent with your brand and focused on serving your target audience. In fact, having a consistently branded website has been seen to increase revenue by 33%. When you have a site that’s easy to navigate and find information, 73% of consumers are more likely to make a purchase from you.
We have Ben Webber of Big Red Jelly here to help you gain a better understanding of what a well-branded website can do for you. Big Red Jelly has worked many notable brands such as the Utah Warriors, R&R BBQ, Swig, and Washington State University. Below are Ben’s insights to help you learn more about what goes into a quality website and how to choose the right web development company for your business needs.
Q: How did you get started building websites for businesses?
We first got into building websites because we saw a significant need in the market for affordable, professional websites geared towards small and medium-sized businesses. Many of the entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, and small-business owners wanted to do more with their digital marketing than just social media and emails. They either lacked a website completely, were using the same website built in 2009, or their website was poorly designed and not user friendly. We hired free-lance designers to work with Big Red Jelly to get it done and eventually hired local talent as in-house designers.
Q: Why is it important to have a branded website?
A brand is so much more than a logo. While a logo is an essential part of a brand identity, expert branding includes audience research that informs everything from a company's logo, color palette, messaging, social media presence, and overall website design. A strong, cohesive online presence is best suited when all of your online identity is synched and working in synergy - from your social media to your website. A website is a snapshot of the who, why, how, and why a business does what it does. A branded website will answer those questions in your company's tone of voice while showing off your personality. Consumers want to connect with your company, and a branded website helps consumers connect through the values communicated in the messaging and visuals of your website.
Q: What role does a great website play in increasing revenue?
Your website can be your biggest asset when it comes to increasing revenue when built properly and optimized for online business. All great websites will have clear calls to action - schedule a consultation, buy a product, fill out a form, etc. Calls to action create opportunities for conversion, and conversions lead to increased revenue. Websites integrated with tools like CRMs (Customer Relation Mangement), email marketing software, e-commerce platforms, and scheduling opportunities will free up your time by making your processes fully automated, leaving you more time to improve your business. Every great website needs to use analytics and data to understand its visitors. Understanding your visitors helps you refine, define, and resolve areas of potential weakness.
Q: What are 3 questions a business owner should ask when hiring a web development company?
When you're looking to hire a web development company you should always ask three things:
1. Is the company's approach collaborative?
Does the web development company have a collaborative approach, where your vision, ideas, and concerns are at the forefront? You want to avoid working with a company that copies and pastes past work, switches out logos, and hands over a generic website without understanding who you are or what you do. Choose a web builder that listens to, understands, and clearly communicates your company's mission, vision, services, and products for your website visitors.
2. Does their portfolio showcase websites that offer similar styles and qualities of work your company wants?
A portfolio shows what a company is capable of. Identify different aspects of design, functionality, and user experience that you enjoy in other websites. Knowing what you like and need before contacting a web development company will help narrow the search when choosing who to work with.
3. What tools and integrations will this company use to better user experience and increase conversion for my website?
Any website can have a pretty front-end, but the real power is found behind the scenes. Tools like online booking/scheduling, payment processors, ADA compliance regulators, and CRM communication will decrease user frustration and increase conversion. Find a company, like Big Red Jelly, that will offer suggestions and expertise on tools that are necessary for your industry to stand out and out-sell your competitors.
Q: I want to learn more about what you can do for my business. How can I contact you?
We want to see businesses succeed. Navigating the digital world can be difficult, but we build a digital foundation that keeps businesses stable and able to see exponential growth. Reach out to us on social media (Facebook & Instagram), send us an email at info@bigredjelly.com, call us at 435-631-9968, or schedule a complimentary consultation with our experts by visiting https://bigredjelly.com/free-growth-strategy/.