In the beautiful Surrey Hills, I have the privilege of working with many local businesses, capturing what makes them…them through photography.
While I focus on creating stunning visual content, I’ve noticed several common mistakes that small businesses make with their websites.
Here are some key issues to avoid (or resolve) to ensure your online presence is as professional and effective as possible.
1 – Using stock imagery
I’m a photographer, so I need to start here.
One of the biggest website mistakes is relying too heavily on stock imagery instead of authentic, real-world photos.
Stock photos feel like a quick fix and cost-effective, too, but they fail to convey the unique personality of your business and brand.
Using real photos featuring your products, services, and team members creates a genuine engagement with your audience. People are likelier to trust and engage with a business that showcases its true self rather than general images found on Shutterstock or Canva.
2 – Failure to include photos of your team
People buy people. This adage is particularly true for small businesses.
Including photos of your team members on your website helps to bring your brand to life. It gives prospective customers a sense of who they will work with, building trust and rapport.
Featuring high-quality portraits of your staff can make a significant difference in how your business is perceived by website visitors and will boost your conversion rates, too.
3 – Not securing your site
We’re all concerned with security these days. At least, we really should be.
An SSL certificate ensures your website is secure, which protects sensitive information.
With SSL, browsers will flag your website as unsafe, which is likely to deter potential customers.
Getting that “https://” prefix for your website is surprisingly simple and cheap. It not only protects your visitors but also boosts your credibility and search engine rankings.
4 – Out-of-date website content
When did you last update your website and add a new blog post? Outdated information can frustrate website visitors and give the perception of neglect.
Update your site and its associated social media regularly with information about your products or services, opinions, and news.
Fresh content keeps your audience informed and improves your website SEO, helping you rank higher in search results.
5 – Slow to load
We’re all in a hurry. A slow-loading website can be a major turn-off. If your website takes too long to load, prospective customers will likely leave and visit a different website before it opens.
Ensure your website is optimised for speed by compressing images, minimising code, and using reliable hosting services.
A quick and responsive website improves the user experience and helps to keep visitors engaged.
6 – Not making it easy to get in touch
Finally, make sure it’s super simple for visitors to contact you.
Provide multiple contact options, including (where relevant) phone numbers, email addresses, and a contact form.
Including social media links and a live chat feature can also help.
The easier you make it for potential customers to get in touch, the more likely they will.
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Your website will likely give customers the first impression of your business.
You can create a professional, engaging, and trustworthy online presence by avoiding these common mistakes (especially the photography-related ones, nudge, nudge!).
Invest in authentic photography for your website and social media profiles, keep your content fresh, ensure your site is secure and fast, and make it easy for customers to contact you.
These simple steps will make a big difference in attracting and retaining customers. Try them!
