5 Website Upgrades to Make in 2013

Post author By Unidev_Admin
Post date February 1, 2013

If you have been reading tech articles this year, you probably know that 2013 is the year for change. The tech landscape is ever-changing, and it can be difficult (and costly) to keep up. Here are some solutions to ensure your website stays above the competition.

1. Optimize your website for mobile

Chances are you have probably heard this one already. Optimizing your site for mobile can be costly, but the benefits can easily outweigh the cost. In a recent article, it was estimated that mobile internet usage will continue to rise at a shocking rate of 66 percent each year. Even more shockingly, another study also quoted that 61% of users will leave a site that is not mobile-friendly. Many industry experts have estimated that phones and tablets will eventually overtake traditional internet usage, and with recent statistics, they are probably right.

2. Improve your mobile marketing coverage

If you already have a mobile website, consider investing in a mobile marketing strategy. With over 91% of US citizens having access to their phones 24/7, it is critical to market through mobile. We hear more and more about consumers who shop on mobile and make decisions on reviews via smartphone while shopping in-store.

3. Rethink where you list shipping costs

Imagine this scenario: you are looking for new running shoes and finally find the perfect price online. You eagerly throw them in the shopping cart and feverishly enter your information. Then, the ultimate letdown: shipping costs are $20. For that price, you could have bought them at that high-priced sports store across from your office! What do you do? Abandon your cart and go somewhere else. An estimated 40% of consumers abandon their shopping carts because shipping and handling costs were listed too late on their online store. If your shipping is high, then it might be best to be upfront to avoid abandonment.

4. Get social

If you haven’t already, be sure to engage your customers by going social. Stay in the conversation by setting up accounts on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Google+ (to name a few). Although sometimes taxing, it is essential to utilize social sites as customers research their pages before visiting them. This gives them a chance to look at what others are saying and provide valuable feedback that you may not get otherwise. If you are in a niche business, it might be beneficial to invest in Facebook ads that will target a specific demographic of customers.

5. Leverage your customer engagement

If not in 2012, SEO your website in 2013. You can have a fantastic website, but it doesn’t matter if no one can find it. If you are on a budget, consider using a free tool like Google Analytics, which will gather data on how visitors find and utilize your website. This will give you great insight into keywords to use, as well as which pages customers are visiting. If you want more in-depth SEO information, consider hiring a search engine consultant. Someone who is certified in Google Ads and Google Analytics will know how to optimize your website for the best exposure to prospective customers or visitors.

If you have questions or want to talk to us about upgrading your site, let us know!