In today’s advertising world, creating a functional Web presence is key to getting your business (or you, personally) on the map. Below are six tips we at The Focus Group believe can breathe new life into anyone’s struggling website.

1. Focus on the user.
What goal is your website supposed to accomplish? Avoid desperately trying to attract the attention of search engines like Google or Bing, and put more emphasis on meeting your users’ needs. After all, your online success depends on them!

2. Create engaging content.
Website content should be fresh, concise, and most importantly, relevant. Your content should get straight to the point so as to quickly establish and maintain a connection with users. Incorporating interesting, entertaining and informative content (both body copy and images) can revitalize and drive new traffic to your site.

3. Follow a hierarchal structure.
Organization can make or break any website. Determine what information is most important, and make a point to emphasize it in a clear, simple way. Busy or novelty websites can discourage users who would rather not spend 15 minutes trying to understand a site’s navigation. The phrase “too much of a good thing” easily applies here, and it will serve you well to maintain some sort of a hierarchy on your site and avoid clutter.

4. Keep tabs on SEO.
Search engine optimization (SEO) plays a huge part in directing current and new users to your site. Knowing where your site stands on search engines is extremely important, and there are many ways to successfully monitor/utilize SEO without losing your site’s main mission. Google Analytics or sites like gorank.com provide you with vital information about what keywords or phrases are getting your site (or your competitors’ sites) the most attention. Weaving these words/phrases into your content can boost your site’s traffic, but as mentioned above, there should be a balance between increasing your SEO results and satisfying your users.

5. Interact with no-nonsense links.
Links to and within your site generate much interest and user-site interaction. Make sure to include relevant links that aren’t simply designed to be picked up on search engines—you want real people to notice you too!

6. Don’t forget about maintenance!
And last but not least, keeping your website updated will do wonders for you and your business. For example, restaurant websites should have the latest menus available online, and event-based websites should be sure to distinguish past, present, and future shows, performances, etc. Live Facebook and Twitter feeds can make updates simpler and more frequent, and monitoring the site on a regular monthly or quarterly basis can ensure that your business is providing the most current information and services to your users.

These are only a few major tips for revamping your website. Remember: The Focus Group can help you accomplish these goals and more!!

Until next time,
Mara Joffe
Blogger