The ways people surf the net for content is constantly evolving, and search engines like Google are at the forefront of determining what they get to see.

The Mobile platform is growing, and there are new innovative strategies to target consumers.

With our capabilities to reach new customers always expanding, it has never been more important to know what your website needs to compete in 2016.

Elements of a Productive Website

There are several things you must do to make sure you are ready to compete in online searches, keep your visitors on your site and interested in your services. Here are several important elements of a productive website to keep users there and coming back.

Engaging Content

You have heard the word engaging over and over again when referring to your website’s content probably more than you need to hear it.

Bur we can’t overstate its importance – website content has to be engaging or visitors to your site will leave in a red, hot flash.

If they get the least bit bored, they are on to the next big thing.

And this is bad when search engines like Google are factoring on-page engagement as a critical ranking factor.

Search Engine Optimization SEO

SEO is the practice of optimizing your website so it can be found by search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo.

There are many ways to take advantage of this:

Increase Your Reviews For Local SEO

Be it on Google, Yelp or any other review site, you need to increase your business’s reviews – and do everything you can to make sure they are positive.

Ask customers to leave you positive feedback on these websites especially when they make verbal compliments about outstanding service, products, etc.

A simple “Thank you so much. Please go to our page on Google or Yelp and let everyone know” is all it takes.  Google looks for reviews when it searches so this is a necessary part of the equation.

Long-Tail Keywords

When you create content, you want to target “keywords” people search for. But general keywords like “dental office” or “law firm” are nearly impossible to rank for.

That’s why you need to target long-tail keywords.

Long-tail keywords are not only less competitive, but as well, have a higher percent of conversions.

You just have to know how to search for long-tail keywords to improve your SEO efforts.

Image courtesy of Hubspot

Responsiveness

Responsiveness is becoming a critical engagement factor and there are many reasons to have it:

Higher Google Rank. Back in April 2015, Google announced it would place more emphasis on mobile friendly websites when it comes to organic search rank.  This, in and of itself, is enough of a reason for a responsive website design especially given that more people search from their mobile devices than from their computers.

Better User Experience.  When someone searches on a mobile device and comes across a website that does not accommodate that device, that user is more likely to leave the site and Google doesn’t judge bounce rates favorably.

Faster Page Loads. When a website designed for desktops loads on a mobile device, it can take a little longer to load. The negative effect of this is that users are more likely to leave. As well, it is statistically proven that faster web pages convert more customers.

Social Media

Social media is not the end all to ensure your website’s success, but it sure does go a long way to keeping content fresh and helping drive traffic to your site.

Sites like Facebook, Twitter, and the others that are appropriate for your business help drive traffic to your site when a tweet or post catches their eye.  On top of that, Google loves fresh content on your website and there is no better way to get that new information out to potential customers than through social media.

The upside can be huge, as companies have been known to increase their value by over a million dollars using social media.

Jacob J. Sapochnik, an immigration lawyer, used social media by sharing useful content and using Facebook ads to generate a large fanbase on Facebook. He now generates 4-6 news leads EVERYDAY towards his website.

Avoid Looking Like Everyone Else

To the point of looking better, professionally designed websites are not cookie cutter sites.  Website design firms have the ability to create and design individual looking sites that are clean and much more original looking in their design.

It’s a chance to put your company’s brand out into the world.

As well, 59% of shoppers rather buy products from brands they like.

Make Sure Your Website is Ready

With 2016 rolling along, you need to get your ducks in a row and make sure your website is up-to-date.

Websites are great tools for businesses to utilize. Creating a website that has all these tools is an investment — and investment that will bring your business a bigger return.

If you are thinking about creating a website, or if you already have one, make sure to target long-tail keywords, implement SEO tactics, create engaging content, and brand yourself.

The reason we say that is this: a website is salesman for your business, and it has the scalability to reach millions.

Take advantage of it!