Unlike what some might think, web development remains a crucial part of a marketing plan. A frequent belief now is that social media platforms have replaced the need for a traditional site, but that is not the case.
It is a fact that in recent years there has been a shift toward internet connections with social media websites, mobile devices, and apps topping the charts. Consequently, the way people shop, chat, and find information on the internet has also changed drastically. Businesses of all sizes have had to adapt their online presence to stay in front of their customers.
So with the digital and social progress, why is web development still significant? These five reasons outline why your website is critical to creating a thriving online presence for your company.
It is essential to protect your brand identity by owning your internet address and website. This prevents surrendering control of your brand to a third-party site and its advertisements. Owning your domain and having a reputable host company are equally critical as picking the domain name. Owning your domain name is crucial to your organization, brand, and online presence. It builds your brand and makes people more likely to engage with your site.
The old adage that “Content is King” still rings true today, maybe even more than before. The way you present your content is equally important. Ensure that your content is unique, relevant, and interesting to effectively get your message across. With great web development, you control the user experience and manage content relevancy and your conversion process.
Excellent content sets your website apart from others and provides the right message for your customers. Website content starts with proper market research where you identify your High-Value Customers (HVC). From there, you can begin defining personas for your website.
It is no secret that websites are essential to a digital marketing plan and should be the focal point for all your content marketing activities. Use your social media presence to engage your audience and ultimately bring traffic to your site.
Your company’s blog will also increase the number of relevant inbound links that send traffic to the main pieces of your site. This, along with SEO, will boost traffic and the duration of each visit to your website.
Excellent web development means a fully optimized website that plays an essential role in attracting valuable traffic. Consumers are still searching for information using keyword searches on Google and other search engines. Implementing the right keywords and themes on your website will help people find your site.
Successful web development gives you the ability to analyze website data accurately. It includes measuring conversion rates, tracking backlinks, and evaluating customer engagement, all of which are essential to improve your online marketing activities. The goal is to ultimately achieve a return on your online investment, and incorporating Google Analytics, Google Webmaster tools, and a CMS will certainly help.
If you are serious about digital marketing and truly want to achieve success, do not neglect your company website; it is your most valuable online asset. Take a look at the recent WMA Awards, where WSI’s site was one of the winning entries.