1. Newsletter database
If you don’t have a database you don’t have an audience. Databases equal dollars, it’s like a long term investment and probably the only thing that your competitor values when you sell your website (if you do). Make sure you capture those email addresses through opt-in forms, competitions, ecommerce sales or membership websites.
2. A professional logo
By logo that is unique, with a paid-for font speak volumes. Most people today are so-called ‘designers’. They know their Apples from their Walmart’s, they are learning how to avoid spammers and businesses that haven’t done the work by getting a professional to design the face of their business.
3. Contact info
Do your clients and customers know how to get in touch with you? If the number one aim of your website is to get people to pick up the phone or send an email; can they do so on every page of your website? Is it always visible? Think sticky headers and phone numbers on the top right corner of your website. Pop up chat boxes are great also, but most important – keep it simple and ensure it’s on the page at all times.
4. SEO Strategy
Search engines still rule the internet world, make sure you have a game plan for getting every page and blog post visible to search engines.
5. Great content
“Great content is the best sales tool in the world” – Marcus Sheridan. I’ve written about this quite a few times but I’ll say it again, websites need content, new content – ideally in a blog that you can then share with the world via social media OR new clients and customers.
6. Social presence
You don’t need to have every social media channel available, however it’s key to getting the attention of your audience. Millions of people are on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and Youtube. And this number of growing exponentially. Save yourself time by choosing a social media channel based on your user persona and find out exactly where your audience tend to hang out.
7. Automation
Let’s be honest, you’re not going to have the time to do all of this stuff yourself, so this year I highly recommend you get organised with your website or hire it out to a virtual assistant. Just be sure they know your business well. Tools such as CoSchedule, Buffer, Fivver and MailChimp are all tools you should be aware of to be able to start the automation band wagon and get your online business thriving while you get back to business.
