Why You Need a Platform for Success in 2023

In today’s digital age, having a website is no longer optional for small businesses. But simply having a website is not enough. In order to stand out from the competition and truly thrive in the online world, businesses need to have what Vervology calls a “platform for success.”

A company’s website is typically the first point of contact potential customers will have with the business. For this reason alone, a website must make an excellent first impression, as it can determine whether someone becomes a customer or moves on to a competitor. A platform for success is designed to stand out from the competition and generate additional brand awareness and engagement.

Creating a platform for success might seem like a massive undertaking, but with the proper knowledge and skills and with the right web design partner, this type of website will not only enhance a business’s digital presence, but the long-term benefits will significantly outweigh the initial investment costs.

What is a Platform for Success?

The specifics of what makes a website a platform for success may vary. But in its most basic form, a platform for success is one that meets the basic functionality and user experience requirements while going above and beyond to provide a truly exceptional and memorable online experience for consumers. When it comes down to it, a website should leave a lasting impression on its visitors and make them want to come back for more.

To be considered a platform for success, a website should be:

• visually appealing

• easy to navigate

• provide an excellent user experience

It is designed to leave a lasting impression on its visitors, encouraging them to engage with the business through the use of its various features. A website should also immediately grab the user’s attention, forming a relationship between the company and the user as they journey through the site. This will create a unique experience that entices the user to visit again and again.

Core Components of a Platform for Success

There is no right way to build a platform for success, but there are various web design and development components that must be present for a business’s website to truly be considered successful. For a business to be able to wow a potential customer on their first visit, the website must have a captivating design and fast loading speeds, be mobile responsive and easy to navigate, and produce quality content.

Captivating Design

With well over a billion websites existing in the world today, there is no shortage of competition. And with the visual design being one of the first things a user will notice when they visit a website, this design must be both attractive and unique to draw users in and entice them to stay.

A captivating web design is one that successfully combines a number of elements to create a cohesive, aesthetically pleasing experience for the user. Some key elements that can contribute to a captivating design include:

• A clean, uncluttered layout: A clean layout will make it easier for the user to find the information they’re searching for and can help to create a sense of visual harmony.

• Strong typography: The use of typography is an important aspect of web design. Clear, legible typefaces can help to create a strong hierarchy and improve readability.

• Good use of color: A well-chosen color palette can help set the website’s tone and create a sense of brand identity. It can also create visual interest and guide the user’s eye through the design.

• High-quality images and graphics: High-quality images and graphics can be used to create visual interest and add a sense of personality to the design. They should be used thoughtfully and in a way that complements the overall design.

• Excellent user experience (UX): Design is not just about how a website looks but also how it works. A good user experience (UX) design ensures that users can easily navigate the website and find what they’re looking for.

• Responsive design: A responsive design is essential, as it ensures that the website will look good on all devices and screen sizes.

At its core, a captivating design should strike a balance between form and function and effectively communicate the website’s message to the user.

Fast Loading Speed

Nobody likes a slow website. In fact, a slow loading speed is one of the top reasons visitors will leave a website, making the loading speed an essential component of a platform for success.

In the eyes of consumers, anything longer than a two-to-three-second load time is too long to wait. To ensure that the website loads quickly, it is important to optimize the images and minimize the use of heavy code and large files.

Mobile Responsiveness

With more and more people accessing the internet on their phones and the rapid growth and increasing importance of local SEO, a website must be mobile responsive to be considered a platform for success.

For a website to be fully mobile responsive, it must be easy to navigate and read on a smaller screen without the need for zooming or scrolling horizontally. So, when designing a website, ensure that all functions, features, and designs are optimized for desktop and mobile devices.

Easy to Navigate

If a website’s navigation system requires any effort from the user, chances are the user will take their business elsewhere. As such, a website’s navigation should be intuitive and easy to use. This means logically organizing all of the content and using clear and descriptive headings and subheadings.

To create a truly exceptional experience while navigating a website, consider:

• Using a clear and consistent layout

• Using a simple and intuitive navigation menu

• Using drop-down menus for sub-categories

• Utilizing the search function

• Using different font sizes and contrasting color

• Ensuring the website is mobile-friendly

Overall, the goal is to make it as simple as possible for users to find the information they seek and to make the website easy to navigate on any device.

Quality Content

A website’s content is what will keep visitors engaged and coming back for more. That’s why it’s important to have well-written, informative, and engaging content that addresses the needs and interests of the target audience.

Quality content on a website should be well-written and free of grammatical errors, organized in a clear and easy-to-digest fashion, relevant to the overall topic or theme of the website, and should provide value to the reader. To truly be considered quality content, it should be original, relevant, engaging, and optimized for SEO.

It’s also important to consider the format of the content when creating quality content for a website, as different types of content can be more engaging and effective depending on the target audience. For example, images, videos, and infographics can be effective in breaking up large blocks of text and helping to explain complex ideas. At the same time, user-generated content can be a powerful way to build a sense of community and engagement.

The most important thing is to create content that is of value to the target audience and encourages them to return to the site again and again.

The Benefits of a Platform for Success

When investing in a platform for success, small businesses are putting their best face forward. They are demonstrating that they care about the experience consumers will have when interacting with their brand and are willing to put the time, effort, and money into ensuring that every experience adds value. When the website continually adds value to consumers, it will benefit the business in a variety of ways, including increased credibility, better user experience, greater reach, and increased conversions.

Increased Credibility

A company’s website is where the brand can establish who they are and why they are deserving of consumers’ trust. This means having a website designed to stand out from the crowd is essential for any business, as it can significantly impact consumer trust, increasing a business’s credibility.

For this reason, a professional-looking website with high-quality design, functionality, and content will build trust with potential customers and demonstrate the reliability of a business. This will also give customers confidence in the brand, as they know that the business takes pride in their online presence. All of which will translate into increased brand credibility, leading to more sales and leads.

Better User Experience

A platform for success is designed with the user in mind. By providing a seamless and enjoyable experience, visitors are more likely to stay on the website longer and return in the future. Not only does this increase the chances that the consumer will make a conversion and develop a relationship with the brand, but it also means that every second spent on the website is time not spent engaging with competitors.

Having a platform for success can also improve a business’s search engine rankings, as user experience is one of the various factors Google and other search engines use to determine the relevance and authority of a website. A website that provides a great user experience is more likely to rank higher in search results, leading to more organic traffic and sales.

Greater Reach

A platform for success can increase a business’s search engine rankings locally and globally, making it easier for potential customers across the globe to find them online. Websites are also accessible from any location 24/7, so while the physical business may be limited to certain hours and locations, the website will still be available for consumer access regardless of the time or place. This alone greatly expands the reach of an organization, increasing brand awareness and engagement on a much larger scale.

Increased Conversions

Consumers will only buy from a company they trust, so if a business’s website does not immediately instill trust in a potential customer, they will take their business elsewhere. This is because people want to keep their personal information safe from seemingly unreliable websites, as poorly designed sites are often associated with scams and the selling of private information and data. A platform for success will combat this, quickly building consumer trust and brand credibility to minimize the chances that the site will mistake for a scam.

By providing a website that is both visually appealing and user-friendly, businesses are more likely to convert their visitors into customers. And once a customer has been converted, they are far more likely to remain loyal to that organization. This will save the business time and money in the long run, as retaining repeat customers is much more cost-effective than acquiring new customers.

Why a Platform for Success is a Must-Have

Having a platform for success in 2023 is a must for many reasons. From staying competitive in the industry to creating a personalized experience for consumers to engage and interact with brands, a successful website can be the difference between a successful year and a challenging one.

To keep it simple, a platform for success is a must-have because:

• It establishes a business’s credibility and builds trust with potential customers.

• It is a cost-effective way to reach a global audience.

• It can streamline certain business processes, such as customer service.

• It can increase visibility in search engine results, driving additional traffic to the site.

• It will help businesses stand out from the competition.

• And it creates a more personalized and enjoyable user experience, increasing time spent on the site, the frequency of returning users, and overall conversion rates.

If a website is the first interaction a consumer will have with an organization, it’s essential to make a good first impression, piquing consumers’ curiosity and leaving them wanting more. That’s why websites exist–to provide consumers with a superior online experience that entices further interactions and engagement with the brand on and off the web.

All of this to say, if there is one thing every small business should invest in this year, it’s a platform for success.

Top 5 Platform for Success FAQs

1. Do I need a platform for success if I already have a functional website?

While a functional website is better than no website, a platform for success will take a business to the next level. Designed with the user experience in mind to create an engaging brand-specific customer journey, a platform for success will help attract more visitors and customers, improve search engine rankings, and ultimately drive more sales–making it a must-have upgrade.

2. How much does a platform for success cost?

The cost of a WOW website will vary depending on a company’s specific needs and goals. However, it’s important to remember that a platform for success can provide a great return on investment, as it can drive more traffic and sales to your business. So, reach out to a reputable web design company to understand the costs involved in building a website.

3. Can a platform for success be built using a website builder?

While website builders can be a quick and easy way to get a basic website up and running, they may not have the capabilities to create a truly exceptional and memorable website. It’s important to consider working with a professional web design company to ensure that the website meets all of a business’s needs and requirements.

4. Can a platform for success be updated easily?

A well-designed website should be easy to update and maintain. This may include features such as a content management system (CMS) or the ability to make updates and changes without the need for extensive coding knowledge.

5. Is it worth the investment?

Absolutely! A platform for success can provide numerous benefits for a business, including increased credibility, reach, conversions, and better user experience. While there may be an initial investment, the long-term benefits make it well worth it.

Vervology’s Platforms for Success

If you’re looking for a partner to help bring your website vision to life, look no further because building platforms for success is ingrained in Vervology’s DNA–so you know that when you partner with Vervology to design a website, you are partnering for success. Vervology specializes in providing customized, visually stunning websites for small businesses tailored to their individual needs and goals.

Make 2023 your business’s best year yet by investing in your very own platform for success. Tailored to your unique needs and designed with the end user in mind, your website will become the newest member of your sales team–taking potential customers on a personalized journey from awareness to conversion.

To get started on your website journey, book a meeting with Vervologist Dave today.