19 Website crimes to avoid in 2020
All of your marketing efforts lead potential customers back to your website, so it would make sense to take special care of this online ‘shop front’. Yet the internet is littered with terrible sites – crimes against design, usability and content.
Let’s avoid these 19 website crimes and clean up the internet in 2020.
1. Poor quality stock images
Stock images are easy to spot, impersonal, and do your brand no favours.
In recent years, the online world has changed the way we shop and do business – consumers want to see the personality behind your brand. My advice is to invest in some up to date, quality photos of you and your staff for 2020.
2. Too many calls to action
Asking your website visitors to do too many things will lead to overwhelm and no action at all. Keep things simple and choose one main call to action for your website.
3. No call to action
You put all this effort into marketing your website then don’t tell people what to do next! Make sure you have a clear call to action visible on every web page, or you’ll be throwing money away in 2020.
4. No testimonials
If you’re not adding genuine testimonials to your website, you’re missing a trick! And don’t be afraid to add some that aren’t perfect, people appreciate the honesty.
5. No social media proof
Having testimonials on your website is excellent, but if you want to add an extra layer for trust, add links to view reviews directly on Google or your social media.
You can also use screenshots – go to town. We’ll see more and more social proof used in 2020.
6. Annoying popups
I don’t know about you, but my biggest bugbear is landing on a website only to have to fight my way past an annoying popup. I hate them and personally wouldn’t use popups at all.
But if you have to, make sure they open as your visitors leave the site – not when they first land on the page.
7. Long paragraphs
Have you ever heard of white space? No, I didn’t think so.
Don’t commit the crime of cramming all of your text into long boring paragraphs. Break things up with short snappy sentences, bullet points and subheadings.
8. Poor spelling and grammar
There’re so many tools out there that will help prevent mistakes – it’s a crime not to use something. Here are my top favourites:
Grammarly
Grammar Checker PRO
LinkedIn Human Proofreaders
9. Outdated content
It’s essential to keep your content fresh and up to date for several reasons, including:
Google prioritises relevant, up to date content.
Your audience will lose trust in content that’s old and inconsistent.
Make sure you keep your content up to date in 2020!
10. Outdated design
Similar to content, it’s also crucial to keep your design up to date. If your website looks like it was made in the year 2000 (yes I know, it may feel like only yesterday, but that was ten years ago!) you need an update.
11. Broken links
The route of all evil. Say no more.
12. No contact details
Really? Does this still happen?
Crazy, I know, but people still build websites without adding contact details. Make sure you add yours.
13. Slow speed
Don’t lose potential customers before they’ve even seen what you have to offer. Test your website speed here https://tools.pingdom.com/
14. No https
If you see a little padlock next to your website address in the top search bar, this means your site is secure. The data you’re sending and receiving is encrypted, and your website is safe.
For obvious security reasons, https is strongly recommended for all sites, and some are even required to have this level of security by law. Check with your web developer to find out which level is needed for you.
15. Not mobile-friendly
It’s nearly 2020, and your website NEEDS to be mobile-friendly.
You can find out if yours is mobile friendly here https://search.google.com/test/mobile-friendly
16. No blog
Content is crucial for content marketing!
Adding content to your website in the form of a blog post drives traffic from social media and Google to your site. If you don’t already have a blog, you need one in 2020.
17. No lead capture
You’re driving all of this traffic to your site, it’s a crime not to capture those leads. In 2020 we’re going to see more lead magnets from small businesses and SMEs. Don’t get left behind.
18. No USP
Make it clear why potential customers should choose you over your competitors. What makes your business, service or product unique?
19. No privacy policy
Not having a privacy policy on your website really is a crime, so don’t forget to add yours.
Websites are critical to the success of your marketing efforts, don’t get left behind. Avoid these 19 crimes in 2020 and help improve the internet for everyone.
Got some questions? If you’re looking for information, get in touch. You can email me at hello@stevemark.com anytime.