You've worked hard to build your business, now you need a website that is usable and customer-friendly. In our digital age, your website is the first impression of your business for many of your customers and we want you to have a site you're proud to call your own!

At Instabuild, we know that design can seem overwhelming but have no fear! We are here to help. We came up with a list of 10 essentials to amp up your site that can be implemented today!

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1. SEO

Search Engine Optimization

Put simply, a site that isn't visited won't produce business. SEO is a vital tool for your website which interacts with search engines, such as Google and Bing to display websites those search engines believe to be relevant and authoritative. SEO helps search engines recognize relevant content, increasing search rankings, which makes your site easily discovered by your customers.

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2. Clear Domain Name & Navigation

Keep it simple.

Your domain name should be easy to find and relevant to your business. Domain names can be customized to meet your needs and drive customers to your site. Don't let the navigation end there! The layout of your site should be clean and appealing. Page links direct customers to the information they sought your company out for and give them access to your products and services. Try naming theses page links with terms that are easily understood to inspire your customers to visit multiple areas of your site.

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3. Engaging Home Page

Make it a good first impression.

Your home page is the virtual storefront of your business - make it impressive! Your homepage is the first impression of your business so consider what you want your customers to immediately recognize about you. Display images relevant to your products and services. Provide a brief, clear description of your business and mission along with current contact information.

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4. Multimedia Variety

Strike a balance between imagery and copy.

If a pictures is worth a thousand words, a strong multimedia incorporation on your site is priceless. The goal of any successful business website is to appeal to a variety of visitors and generate interest in the products and services being promoted. A page with overwhelming videos or photos and no descriptive text can discourage visitors from venturing further into your site just as much as a site filled exclusively with text can bore your visitors. Striking a balance of informative text and appropriate photos and videos will inform and stimulate, turning a visitor into a customer!

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5. Updated Content

Keep it fresh and current.

Frequent updates to your site are pivotal to your growing business. A website that features regular content updates encourages customers to visit your site often and increases your ranking in search engine results. Use these updates to interact with your customer base by posting current promotions, new business hours, or community activities. Keep it fresh, keep it current!

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6. Strong Call-to-Actions

Don't make your users guess; guide them.

Effective business growth requires a call-to-action clearly directing your customers to engage in your business and invest in your products and services. This can be as simple as filling out a contact form, calling for an appointment, or following you on Facebook. These directions should easy to find and understand.

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7. Testimonials

It's all about the "He said, she said."

You know how great your business is and so do the customers you've served. Ask a few of your satisfied customers to write a short review of your business to include how your products or services benefited them by solving a problem or meeting a need. It doesn't have to be long, but getting a few strong recommendations from relatable people speaks confidence to prospective customers.

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8. Strong Branding

Communicate who YOU are to your customers.

Creating an identifiable, accurate brand for your business gives your customers a memorable, visual association between you and your products and services. Incorporating a strong logo, cohesive website design, and social media presence portray your personality to your customers. When considering what you want your unique style to be, remember to be unique, be relevant, and be YOU!

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9. Social Media Activity

Boost visibility and connect with your audience.

Social media is here to stay! It is undeniable that we live in a socially motivated culture so use this free tool to promote your brand. Social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter are an essential resource to your business that will boost your internet visibility and site traffic, leading to growth and increased sales. Recognizable links on your home page encourage your customers to get involved with your business. Integrating these platforms also boosts your presence on search engines.

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10. Collect Emails

It's never too late to start growing your list.

By adding a simple Newsletter sign up form to the footer of your website, you can begin encouraging your customers, or random visitors, to sign up to receive updates from your company. You can share educational information with them, promotional information, special deals, company news, and more! Collecting your customer's emails is the first step of email marketing. The more you connect with your audience, the more they will begin to trust you.

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