Are you thinking about creating a website for your business? If so, there are a few essential elements you need to include.
In this blog post, we will walk you through the most important aspects of any website. By understanding these key components, you can create a website that is both effective and appealing to your visitors.
Let's get started!
In general, there are a few things that every website should include:
-Your business name and logo
-Your contact information (phone number, email address, mailing address)
-A brief overview of what your business does/what you offer
-A few examples of your work (if applicable)
-Testimonials from happy customers (if applicable)
But even though these things are nice to have on your website, it doesn’t mean you need a traditional website to succeed!
You don’t need to write dozens of pages of content or buy multiple tools and plug-ins to have an “online presence.”
All you need is a simple, one-page microsite.
In fact, many entrepreneurs, influencers, content creators, network marketers, speakers, and coaches are choosing to build microsites instead of traditional websites.
Here are 4 examples of microsites:
1. my creative type
This is a great example of a lead generation microsite. When you take the quiz, they will ask for your email address to get the results.
The microsite looks like a landing page. However, this isn’t a sub-domain of a website. It has its own URL.
2. redbull
Red Bull created an entirely new microsite to feature their case studies and testimonials. Since it’s not part of their main website (the URL starts with “atrun.redbull.com” and not “www.redbull.com”), they’re able to experiment more with their branding.
As you can see, the microsite is more interactive and has a different feel compared to their other marketing assets.
3. every last drop
You can also create a microsite to raise awareness for a specific cause. A good example is Every Last Drop.
This microsite is intuitive, engaging, and entertaining. You can’t help but scroll down. Once you reach the bottom, they have one call-to-action – watch the video.
4. kim bauer
You can create a microsite specifically to optimize your organic lead generation and increase brand engagement.
A great example is Kim Bauer’s microsite. Once her audience visits the microsite, they’re immediately greeted with a quick bio and then multiple call-to-action buttons. Kim immediately connects her audience with content that positions her as an authority in her industry.
Deciding how much information to put on your website can be tricky, but it's important to strike the right balance between giving away too much and not enough.
In general, make sure to include your business name and contact information, a brief overview of what you do/what you offer, and a few examples of your work (if applicable).
If you're happy with the amount of information on your website, then chances are your potential customers will be too.
Even with a microsite, you’ll need to have an effective homepage for your website. So let’s cover how to create an effective homepage now…
5 Essential Elements to an Effective Homepage
1. Your homepage should be simple and easy to navigate
The average website visitor will only spend a few seconds on your homepage before deciding whether to stay or go elsewhere. That's why it's important to make sure that your homepage is simple and easy to navigate.
Keep the design clean and uncluttered, and make sure that the most important information is prominently displayed. Use clear and concise text, and avoid using jargon or technical terms. And don't forget the call to action! Tell visitors what you want them to do, whether it's subscribing to your newsletter, making a purchase, or signing up for a free trial.
With a little effort, you can ensure that your homepage makes a good first impression and helps keep visitors engaged with your site.
2. The most important information should be front and center
When people are looking for information on the internet, they want to find it quickly and easily. That's why it's important to make sure that the most important information is front and center on your website.
By keeping the most relevant information above the fold, you can ensure that visitors will see it as soon as they land on your site. This will help to improve their experience and increase the chances that they'll find what they're looking for. In addition, by putting the most important information first, you'll be more likely to capture people's attention and keep them engaged with your site.
So if you want people to find what they're looking for, make sure that your most important information is easy to see.
3. Your homepage should be visually appealing
The way your homepage looks says a lot about you and your business. A visually appealing homepage can make a good first impression on potential customers and help to build trust.
Conversely, a poorly designed homepage can send the message that you are unprofessional or disorganized.
When it comes to creating a visually appealing homepage, there are a few key elements to keep in mind:
- First, use high-quality images that are relevant to your business.
- Second, keep the layout clean and simple, avoiding clutter and unnecessary distractions.
- Finally, make sure the overall design is cohesive and reflects your brand identity.
4. Your homepage should tell a story
A website's homepage is often the first impression that a potential customer will have of a business. As such, it's important that the homepage makes a good impression.
One way to do this is to tell a story. A well-crafted story can help to engage visitors and give them a reason to explore the site further. It can also help to create an emotional connection with the viewer, which can encourage them to return in the future.
Of course, not every business will have a suitable story to tell. In such cases, it may be better to focus on other aspects of design, such as creating a visually appealing layout or ensuring that important information is easy to find.
However, for those businesses that do have a story to tell, telling it on the homepage can be an effective way to engage visitors and encourage them to explore the site further.
5. The copy on your homepage should be well written and engaging
As the first page visitors will see, your homepage is crucial to making a good impression. The copy on your homepage should be well written and engaging, giving visitors a snapshot of what your business is all about.
Beyond that, it should also be effective in conveying your unique selling proposition and driving conversions. To achieve this, make sure to focus on creating compelling headlines and body copy that accurately reflects your brand voice. In addition, consider using visuals such as images and videos to break up the text and add interest.
By taking the time to craft an effective homepage, you can make sure that visitors will stick around long enough to learn more about what you have to offer.
There are a few more things to consider when creating your website. A big thing is how are you going to keep your website consistent because consistency breeds trust with your visitors and customers.
So Let’s Dive Into The 5 Tips for a Consistent Website…
1. Pick a color scheme and stick to it
As any web designer knows, creating a truly successful website requires careful attention to detail. Wavoto makes this easy with "My Brand" where you input your colors and they automatically apply across your website.
Every element on the page, from the layout to the color scheme, should work together to create a cohesive whole. One of the best ways to ensure a consistent look and feel is to pick a color scheme and stick to it. This doesn't mean that every page has to be monochromatic; instead, choose a few colors that complement each other and use them consistently throughout the site. In fact, on Wavoto we have a number of Brand Boards you can get started with to make sure your colors work together.
Use different shades of the same color for different sections, or use one color for headlines and another for body text. The key is to create a harmonious balance that will give visitors a pleasant and productive experience. With a little thought and planning, it's easy to create a visually appealing website that will keep visitors coming back for more.
2. Use the same fonts throughout your website
A website's font is one of the first things that a visitor will notice, so it's important to choose a font that is both visually appealing and easy to read. While there are thousands of fonts available, it's best to stick with a handful of fonts that complement each other. For instance, you might use a sans-serif font for your main content and a serif font for headings. Using fonts consistently throughout your website will create a cohesive look that is pleasing to the eye. In addition, using the same fonts will help to establish your brand identity. Just as Coca-Cola is identified by its distinctive red and white colors, your website can become known for its unique font choices. So when choosing fonts for your website, keep consistency in mind - it's the key to creating a cohesive and memorable brand identity. Luckily, Wavoto makes this easy with "My Brand" where you input your fonts for headers, sub headers, and body text and it automatically applies across your website.
3. Make sure all your images are the same size, style, and resolution
It's important to keep a consistent look and feel to your website by using images that are the same size and have the same resolution. This will give your site a professional look and make it easy for visitors to navigate. You can also use the same style for all your images, whether it's a specific color palette or filter. By keeping your website consistent, you'll create a cohesive experience for your visitors that will keep them coming back.
4. Use the same header and footer on all your pages
When designing a website, it's important to maintain a consistent look and feel throughout all the pages. One way to do this is to use the same header and footer on each page. This will give your website a polished, professional appearance and help visitors feel confident navigating your site. headers and footers typically include your website's logo, contact information, and navigation links. By keeping these elements the same on every page, you can create a strong visual identity for your site that will help visitors find their way around. So if you're looking to give your website a cohesive look, using the same header and footer on every page is a great place to start.
5. Use similar page layouts to help your visitors
When designing a website, it is important to create a consistent layout that can be easily understood by visitors. One way to achieve this is by using similar page layouts for all of the pages on your site. This involves creating a basic design that can be used as a template for each page. By using the same layout, visitors will be able to quickly familiarize themselves with your site and find the information they are looking for. Additionally, using similar page layouts will make your site more user-friendly and reduce the amount of time required to maintain the website.
In website design, a parent page is a top-level page that can have other pages beneath it, called child pages. Creating parent and child pages can help to organize your website and make it easier for visitors to find the information they need. For example, if you have a website about dogs, you might create a parent page for each breed of dog. Underneath each parent page, you could then create child pages with information about specific dogs within that breed. By creating parent and child pages, you can help to ensure that your website is both well-organized and easy to navigate. All of this is easily achievable when you use Wavoto to build your website.
Now let’s take a look at the 2023 marketing trends to keep your eyes on…
Why? Because as the world becomes increasingly digitized, so too does the landscape of marketing. What's hot in marketing today may be completely different in just a few years time.
So what can we expect to see in 2023? Here are a few trends to keep an eye on…
Marketing Trend #1) AI and Machine Learning
Marketers will increasingly rely on these technologies to automate tasks, personalize experiences, and deliver more targeted content. Save time and resources while still being able to target their audience effectively.
- Segmentation and personalization: Businesses will use AI to segment their target market and personalize their marketing messages.
- Marketing automation: Businesses will use AI to automate marketing tasks, such as email marketing, social media updates, and targeted ads.
- Predictive analytics: Businesses will use AI to predict customer behavior and target their marketing accordingly.
- Chatbots: Businesses will use chatbots to interact with customers and provide them with information about products and services.
- Voice search: Businesses will optimize their website and content for voice search using AI.
With AI, you won’t lose your personal voice, you will just be able to organize your marketing faster.
Marketing Trend #2) Influencer Marketing
As we move into the new year, it's time to start thinking about the marketing trends that will shape the next 12 months. And one of the biggest trends we're predicting for 2023 is influencer marketing (also called Creator Marketing).
Now, you might be thinking that influencer marketing is nothing new. And you'd be right - it's been around for a few years now. But we think it's going to become even more popular in 2023, as businesses increasingly look to partner with social media influencers to reach their target audience.
There are a few reasons why we think this trend will continue to grow in popularity:
- Social media usage is still on the rise, meaning there are more opportunities than ever before to reach potential customers through influencer marketing.
- People are increasingly distrustful of traditional advertising, making influencer endorsements all the more powerful.
- With the rise of TikTok and other short-form video platforms, influencers are able to create engaging content that doesn't require a huge budget or production team.
Marketing Trend #3) SMS Marketing
As digital marketing evolves, so do the techniques and strategies that businesses use to reach their target audiences. In recent years, we've seen the rise of social media marketing, email marketing, and even influencer marketing. However, one marketing trend that shows no signs of slowing down is SMS marketing.
SMS marketing is a form of direct marketing that involves sending text messages to customers or prospects. Unlike other forms of marketing, SMS messages are nearly impossible to ignore, making them an incredibly effective way to reach your target audience. Additionally, SMS messages can be personalized and tailored to the individual recipient, making them even more impactful.
While SMS marketing may not be a new concept, it's one that is continually evolving. As such, businesses need to stay up-to-date on the latest SMS marketing trends if they want to remain competitive. Here are three SMS marketing trends that businesses should keep an eye on in 2023:
1. Automation
One of the biggest trends in SMS marketing is automation. Thanks to advances in technology, businesses can now automate the process of sending and managing SMS campaigns. This not only saves businesses time and money, but it also allows them to scale their SMS campaigns more effectively. Additionally, automated SMS campaigns can be personalized and targeted at specific segments of your audience for maximum impact.
2. Two-way messaging
Another SMS marketing trend that businesses should be aware of is two-way messaging. Two-way messaging allows businesses to interact directly with their customers via text message. This interaction can take many forms, such as customer service inquiries, appointment reminders, or even surveys and polls. Not only does two-way messaging allow businesses to build better relationships with their customers, but it also gives them valuable insights into customer behavior.
3. Chatbots
A chatbot is a computer program that simulates human conversation. Chatbots are commonly used in customer service applications, but they are also increasingly being used for marketing purposes. Thanks to chatbots, businesses can now automate their SMS campaigns and interact with customers in real-time. Additionally, chatbots can be programmed to understand human emotions, making them more effective at engaging with customers on a personal level. (We use one ourselves here at Wavoto: Manychat!)
As you can see, there are several exciting trends reshaping the world of SMS marketing. By staying up-to-date on these trends and implementing them into your own SMS campaigns, you'll be able to stay ahead of your competition and better engage with your target audience.
Other marketing trend predictions:
- We'll see a growing focus on diversity and inclusion. As consumers become more aware of social issues, they'll expect brands to reflect their values. This means creating advertising that is inclusive and representative of all people.
- There will be a greater emphasis on storytelling. In an age of information overload, consumers are looking for brands that can capture their imagination and tell a compelling story.
- We'll see a shift from quantity to quality. With attention spans getting shorter and shorter, marketers will need to create content that is concise and to the point.
So there you have it, we hope you can see how to build an effective website for your business. By understanding these critical elements every website must have, you can create a website that will attract visitors and help you achieve your business goals in 2023 and beyond.