10 Website Design Tips for Small Businesses

If you own a small business, chances are you have a limited amount of experience with online digital solutions. As your online software engineer consultant, I will tell you ten tips about what you should show on your website and how it should be designed so that your web development process and the effort you put into it would be worth your time and money. They will not be technical tips. These are some of the most important things that I've seen in businesses that were successful after they got their first website.

So let's get into it.

1. Show why they should choose you

I don't want to sound cliché and tell your customers why you are unique. You probably are not. Not every online shop, bakery, or law firm needs to be unique! Our customers don't pay for uniqueness; they pay for practical things that make them feel good or safe. But you should showboat why do you think you can help them. If your prices are low, or you have been in the business for a long time, or you specialize in something that you know is trending, make sure that is the first thing customers see when opening your website.

11 years in laptop repairment, and finally, we are online! Check our testimonials!

These slogans will get your customer's attention more than something like Laptop repair agency {brand name}. Don't use ordinary slogans on your home page, and you can see the difference.

2. Show your Testimonials

Showing your customers how you can help them is an excellent start. Showing them there are already pleased customers? That's even better. Online business is all about trust. There is no one in front of you, and no firm handshake or body language technique works in an online sale. It is all about trust. If you can show your previous customers pictures and write their testimonials beside them, your users will know they can count on you.

3. Work on your Google presence

If you have an actual physical shop, make sure to add that to Google locations and add your company or brand to the Google addresses. Then consult an SEO specialist. We can hook you up with one if needed; contact us from the form at the end of the article. Of course, having a software development team that knows how to create SEO-friendly websites doesn't hurt.

After talking to an SEO specialist, you will learn two very important things: how to arrange your website's technical stuff in an SEO-friendly way and how to create content for users. Then proceed with those plans, and don't let go because your competitors won't.

4. Keep Costs Low with Simple Design Tools

Do not order a full-featured website unless you have some experience managing an online business. For the first time, you should start slowly. What we do for our customers is offer them three or two website plans and advise them to choose the less bulky one. You can always add features later on if your website is created correctly. There is no need to spend money on features you may or may not need. Create what you know you or your customers absolutely need, and after some months, if you feel the need for a luxury feature, you can always upgrade your website.

5. Focus on Lead Generation

Whether you have a client base before going online or you are just starting an online business, you need to get leads from your customers. A phone number, email, or any contact way between you and our possible buyers. And your website should make it easy for you.

Implement easy-to-fill contact forms and put Calls to action in the right places for your users to see. If you offer free consulting, make sure you have a button in a visible place that goes to a form and asks for the user's phone or email.

If you have chatting services, ensure they gather users' requests and contact information if you are offline. This way, you can ensure you don't lose any customers just because you were not online.

6. Include a Clear Pricing Section

One of small businesses' most significant mistakes is being vague about their pricing. Visitors shouldn't have to hunt down how much your product or service costs. Transparency builds trust, especially when you're competing with larger companies that might have more opaque pricing structures.

If you offer services like consulting, home repairs, or fitness classes, consider a transparent "Pricing" or "Packages" page. Even if your prices vary, giving a general idea or starting rate is helpful to potential customers. This can reduce unnecessary inquiries and help filter out leads that aren't a good fit for your pricing.

7. Add a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Section

Predict your customers' doubts and worries. Put yourself in their shoes or ask people who you know might use the service or products that you offer.

Are they worried about the price? Put a clear explanation in the FAQ

Are they concerned about how they get the product after ordering? Put the process in the FAQ

Are they worried that you are some kind of online scam? Well, Don't put that in the FAQ. Just use testimonials, as we said in the 4th tip.

You get the idea. Don't let any doubt make it harder for your customers to trust you. Even if they are unreasonable, make sure you address them and put their minds at ease.

8. Implement Appointment Scheduling or Booking Features

Many small businesses provide services that require appointments or consultations, such as hair salons, medical clinics, or local fitness trainers. Adding a built-in booking or appointment scheduling feature to your website can streamline this process for you and your customers.

There are easy-to-integrate tools like Calendly or Square Appointments or just a custom form that allow visitors to book directly through your website. This not only saves time but also enhances the customer experience and reduces the friction of back-and-forth communication for scheduling appointments.

9. Highlight "About Us" Story in your website

Story sells. All the digital marketers are focused on that lately. As I said earlier, trust is all about online business. Quality comes later after they buy something from you.

And a story about some people gathering around to work for your customers to have the best possible service or product? Who doesn't love that? Make sure you talk about how your company or business came together and, if possible, even mention who is working for you and who people will talk to in different departments if they contact you. After reading an about-us page like that, your customers feel that they already know you. That makes trusting much easier.

10. Make Your Contact Information Easy and Prominent

Don't make the customer chase for your contact information.

Just put it where it is easily accessible: in the footer or header, even if your main navbar buttons if sales come through calls. Make sure to use the proper HTML tags or code. Make it easy for them to copy your phone number or email. And please have contact us or online chat services so customers who don't want to go outside of your website can contact you right away.