Five things your website needs as we move into 2021

A few weeks ago I was reading an article online. The article stated we had made five years of technological advancement since the first COVID-19 shutdown. Crazy, right?! With more people online than ever before it’s important that your website presents the best version of your business; after all, it’s your virtual shopfront. Here are five things website must-haves as we move into 2021.

1. A clear call to action
2. Your phone number; in a prominent spot
3. Information on your local destination
4. Video
5. Chat button

A clear call to action (CTA)
Call-to-actions should be a major factor in every website design. CTAs are so important in fact, you should have at least two. Each call-to-action acts as a message to your website visitor that they should stop where they are and take the next step towards a potential sale. Do you want them to sign up to your email newsletter or like your social pages? Do you want them to book online or pick up the phone and call you? Or would you like them to learn more about your new product, refurbishment or seasonal menu? HubSpot has put together a list of 39 call-to-actions, to get you started.

Your phone number; in a prominent spot
Forgive me for adding something so basic to the Top Five, but you’ll be surprised at how many businesses either hide their phone number in the header or footer or remove it altogether. If there is only one thing you action from this list, please make sure it’s adding your phone number to a prominent position, preferably in large font. Baby Boomers and Gen X still love talking to people, and we are in the business of being hospitable. By hiding or removing your phone number, you’re essentially losing business.

Information on your local destination
Customers come to my website to look at my business. Right? Wrong! Your business is one small part of a larger eco-system. In 2020 and beyond, customers and visitors alike want to feel like they are part of something bigger. A great meal in a beautiful café and a night in a gorgeous room is not the reason they choose the destination. They are part of the reason, but not the whole. The easiest way to add destination information is to add a link to your local Destination Management Organisation (DMO) in the text of your site. If you’d like to go one step further, add a new page to your website that highlights the top five reasons to visit your region. Customers will see you as a source of helpful information and are more likely to book with you when they are ready. If you’re not sure where to start, contact your local Visitor Centre or Council and ask for the Tourism Officer.

Video
In 2018, YouTube reportedly had one-third of the worlds internet users on its platform. In 2020 Facebook has around eight billion videos watched each day with mobile videos getting the highest portion of engagement. Why? Because video has become the most consumed medium on the internet, so it makes sense to bring the most popular medium to your website. Not only are videos one of the best ways to engage potential customers to consume your content but they are more likely to stay on your website longer and keep your audience interested. Social Media Today has put together an amazing infographic showcasing five ways to improve your business website with video.

Chat button
Now I know I said that your phone number is important, and really it is. But, in a day and age where everybody expects instant gratification, we also expect instant information. Gen Y and Gen Z are super tech-savvy and don’t use their phone like Gen X, Baby Boomers or the Lucky Generation. This new wave of consumers want everything online and they want it now. They’ll rarely if ever, pick up the phone and talk to you. If you don’t have a way of communicating with them that is digital and instantaneous, you’ve lost your potential customer. Welcome, Facebook Messenger, or any other chatbot system you’d prefer. One simple piece of code and you’ve added it to your website. It pops up on your computer or phone and off you go. It’s well worth the small effort to have your website developer add it to your site. You can find out more about chatbots from Socialmediatoday.com.