Blog/Development
It’s 2023, of course you have a website; who doesn’t? Approximately 71% of businesses own a website in 2023, and trust us when we say 71% is much more massive than it sounds, considering that a website is created somewhere on earth every 3 seconds. That's mindblowing, isn’t it?
Not really though, as it’s not even news anymore. The real gist is this, how do you stand out among this multitude of websites on the overcrowded internet? You see, your website is a global representation of your business, and remember what they say about first impressions?
4 out of every 10 users do not further engage a website they find unattractive, which likely results in the industry benchmark of 26-65% of users visiting only a single webpage(bounce rate).
That’s too many numbers, so now let’s discuss some of the reasons why customers may prefer other sites to yours and how you can gain a competitive edge. This article discusses some of the best website features to boost your sales in 2023.
Optimising your website to adapt to and look good on mobile devices is essential to keeping users on your site. According to Statista, 58.33% of website traffic globally came from mobile users in the first quarter of 2023. Imagine all the opportunities you could be missing if your website is not yet mobile-friendly. Note that responsiveness should extend across all devices and screen sizes such as tablets, desktops as well as smartphones as shown by Wazobia.Tech.
In our fast-paced society today, nobody wants to wait for anything, especially not a webpage that takes forever to load. 40% of users immediately leave a website that takes more than 3 seconds to load. Having fast-loading pages is a necessity for keeping users on your site. You can optimise your website speed by minimizing file sizes and using caching techniques and content delivery networks (CDNs) to deliver your site's content efficiently.
A sticky menu, or floating navigation, is a feature that fixes your navigation bar at the top of the page. With floating navigation, no matter how far a user scrolls down your page, they can always access the menu easily to return to visit another page, such as Home or Contact, without having to scroll all the way back up. The Marketbox website provides a perfect example of this feature.
Your website should go beyond mere product listings and provide an immersive experience that engages visitors and compels them to make a purchase. One essential aspect of effective product showcasing is high-quality visuals. Incorporate stunning product images and videos that highlight the key features, craftsmanship, and unique selling points of each item. It's also crucial to provide persuasive and informative product descriptions that convey the value, benefits, and emotional appeal of your products. Check out Helpscout's service page.
Chatbots are artificial intelligence assistants that aid customer engagement and support by responding to users instantly and providing information and customer support round-the-clock. They can also be modelled to reach out to visitors as soon as they land on a page, offering recommendations and navigational guidance. This feature is a trend that’s come to stay with the rapid advancement of AI technology. By the end of 2022, 88% of website users were found to have had at least one conversation with a chatbot. Have a look at Hubspot's chatbot.
A blog (weblog) is an essential feature for community building and audience engagement. It is also necessary for SEO success and online visibility. A blog is a collection of articles on your website related to your niche. By addressing relatable issues among your readers, you can draw them into your funnel and also identify as an authority in your field. By creating SEO-friendly content that also provides value to readers, your blog can be the voice that speaks for your brand on the internet.
Sometimes users make it to your site with specific intent. A search bar allows them to type in keywords and find exactly what they’re looking for without having to spend any time on navigation. The search bar should be on your homepage and easily accessible. The idea is to make your user's journey as easy as possible while giving them a sense of control and Uniqlo does this really well.
In web design and content writing, white space is regarded as “real estate”. This is because clustered content reduces readability and unsettles readers, and remember, an unsettled user is one you’ve lost. A minimalistic design with ample white space, clear typography, and a focus on readability and ease of use works like a charm in improving user experience and visual appeal, and it continues to be popular in 2023. Curology's homepage defines simplicity.
According to the latest dark mode usage statistics, more than 80% of device users currently use their devices in dark mode. A dark mode theme is a contrast to the traditional white background. Not only is it a fast-rising trend, but it has also been found to have a calming effect on users as the lesser amount of blue light produced goes easy on the eyes, improving focus and allowing users to browse for longer. Devices running on dark mode also consume less battery power. Avocado's website provides a nice visual of this.
Site Analytics tools are a backend feature to serve you more than your customers. It allows you to analyse your website performance, tracking the number of users visiting your site, what pages they visit, and how long they spend. These data allow you to measure progress, analyse what works and what doesn’t, and give you insight on how to re-strategise to make improvements.
With the increasing concerns about cybersecurity (50,000 websites hacked daily!) enhanced security measures, such as SSL certificates, two-factor authentication, and encryption, are necessary to protect user data and ensure a safe browsing experience. Security breaches can cost thousands of dollars to remediate and worse, damage your reputation among users.
Integrating social media features allows users to share your website content easily. Incorporate social media sharing buttons, embedded feeds, and login options using popular social media platforms to increase your website's visibility and reach.
A frequently asked question section allows your users to quickly find the answers to their questions without you or them having to do much. An FAQ page or section contains all the common questions your audience is likely to have. FAQ questions should be worded with long-tailed keywords from the customer’s perspective. It helps to save time, and again, it gives the user a sense of control over their journey.
Over 1 billion of the world's population has some sort of disability, and 62 out of every 100 use the internet. It’s important to make your website accessible to users with disabilities with features such as “alt” tags for images, proper heading structure, keyboard navigation support, voice search, and descriptive links to make your website better serve users with disabilities and comply with accessibility standards.
CTAs give your users direction on what to do next. You’ve drawn your users to your website for a reason, and your CTA is how you tell them to carry out that function. It could be subscribing to your newsletter, downloading an ebook, dialling your contact number, or purchasing a product online. Be sure to make your CTAs clear, visible, convincing, and authoritative but not forceful. Have at least one on each web page, but don’t litter the place with CTAs.
Different business niches or industries have varying website features that are unique to them. Choosing the ones to use should be based on your target audience, competitor analysis, and business goals. Leverage analytics regularly to analyse your performance and improve your strategies. Your website is an irreplaceable tool and is worth all the attention or investments you can put into it.
Get expert assistance to build or refurbish your website and maximise your business website today. At Wazobia technologies, we offer robust website development and design services that elevate your business to the next level.
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