Is it Time to Refresh Your Website?

If you’re wondering whether it’s time to refresh your website, you are not alone. As digital trends and technology change, businesses clamor to keep up, especially when it comes to taking care of their number one 24-hour employee: Their website.

Today, there are ‘must haves’ when it comes to business websites. For starters, designing for mobile first is quickly becoming the new workflow for top developers. Gone are the days of designing for desktop and working your way ‘down’ to mobile. Step one: make sure your site is not just responsive, but designed for mobile.

How important is having a well-designed mobile site? Researchers report that 57% of users say they won’t recommend a business with a poorly designed mobile site, and Google stats show 61% of users are unlikely to return to a mobile site they had trouble accessing. Even worse, 40% visit a competitor’s site instead. So, design for mobile!

Fast page load speeds, easy-to-understand navigation and engaging content that drives action, are also important considerations. Some of these items are affected by site hosting, which is a vital but often overlooked element. Find a developer who understands the value of quality hosting and keeping your site safe.

Design for client engagement

The primary reason businesses update or completely recraft their websites, even when it’s relatively new, is to make it easier for customers and prospects to engage online.  As technology evolves, it’s important to keep pace. Such was the case with one of our newest clients, Mount Vernon Birth Center.

“The new site is fresh, personal and gives an impression of who we really are,” said Mount Vernon Birth Center owner Michelle Antioch.

Mount Vernon Birth Center is a place where women go to feel supported and empowered while bringing a baby into the world. The photos, written narrative, color palate, and cornerstone video combine on the new site to support a strong narrative. They tell the story in a language that prospective moms want to hear, in a way that they will feel comfortable receiving it.

Video: Give your star a place to shine

The homepage of MountVernonBirthCenter.com hosts a video in which two mothers and a midwife share their experiences at the birth center. It also hosts an actionable form to help visitors to the site to take the next step: schedule an appointment or take a tour.

“The video captured our stories personally through the mouths of clients and staff,” Antonich concluded. “We have had rave reviews from people.”

To develop a website that successfully operates as an educational and sales tool requires an understanding of each company’s client base and goals. It also requires taking the time to understand each company’s unique strengths and core values. In the vernacular of What’s Your Avocado? Marketing & Public Relations, an organization’s unique element is called, “Your Avocado.”

Make your website a priority

“Whenever we work with a new client, our first goal is to identify their Avocado, the special something that makes their organization or product unique. From there, we build a marketing plan that marks a path to tell their story. A creative website is one tool in the overall methodology we utilize to bring our client’s stories to life,” said Stacie Zinn Roberts, president of What’s Your Avocado? Marketing & Public Relations.  “A well-designed website is absolutely critical for business success in today’s marketplace.”