It goes without saying that if you have a business, and I mean any business, during this day and age then it’s mandatory you have a website. Honestly, there’s no working around it anymore. We’ve come way too far as a society from a technological standpoint for a business owner to simply not have one. But, and I have to say this, it’s one thing to have a website, but it’s another to have a quality one. Today, I’d like to discuss this matter a bit further, and explore how a website can be an excellent asset or a damaging demise.

What a Bad Website Will Do…

It doesn’t matter if you’re an internet guru or not, you can tell when a website is a pile of garbage by merely looking at it. A “bad-looking” website these days looks like it came straight out of Windows 97,’ abhorrently plain, box-like, and most of the time with multi-colored text, like a rainbow had a few too many and decided your desktop was the best place to yack. It’s just not a good look. I don’t have to get into too much detail on why this hurts you and your business. Clients want to feel like they’re getting their money’s worth during the entire process.
If your name pops up in conversation during a cookout when someone’s discussing how they want to redo the floors in their kitchen, and then later they look you up and land on a “bad-looking” website like the aforementioned, they’re going to skip over you like it’s 1 o’ clock recess and it’s time for hopscotch. It’s because of the DESIGN. They think, “well if this guy doesn’t put much effort into his business’s online presence, then why would I trust him with my kitchen flooring? *exits out of screen*” That’s just how humanity is wired these days. We want the best of the best right now, when we want it, however we want it. You can have your opinion on this mentality, but if you want your business to thrive, you’re simply going to have to adhere to it.

What a Good Website Will Do…

Then you’re in the clear. The object of this game is to get as many people to your site as you can, for as long as you can. You want them to be at your screen, going through everything like it’s a tour of their dream home. How do you do this? There’s a few ways you can glue potential customers’ butts to their desk chair with your website up, and it all comes to quality.
First off, you need to make your website YOURS. This is where your branding and marketing efforts come into play (components that this blog post deems too extensive too handle) and you need to cater it to your business’s mantra, your motto, adhering to your goals tighter than tongue on a flagpole in a blizzard. The more unique and individualized your website is, the more people are going to want to look at it, and respond in a way that will generate more business for you.
Secondly, make it interactive. Incorporate drop downs, navigation menus, j-sliders, photo galleries, and a portfolio. If you make visiting your website an experience, it’ll entice your potential clients. Where a bad website will have people questioning your work ethic, a good one will exemplify it. Essentially, it will leave the impression that whatever you put your hands on is done with care and quality, which is what EVERYONE wants during the remodeling process.

It’s important to note that when you’re sitting down over coffee, going over the piles of notes and sketches trying to figure out exactly how you want your website design, that you sometimes need to take a step back from the business side of things. Step into the shoes of the consumer once more, and use empathy to target the needs and necessities you’d like to program into your site. Use a bit empathy. When you’ve done with every aspect of your website, then it is at at the very least, something you can appreciate. And, after all, if you’re starting a business, shouldn’t you be happy with your work? Now sell it.

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are the leading provider of Ledge Stone, wall tile and backsplash tile in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!

Written by: Chris Chamberlain