Competition with big brands is already one of the most significant challenges for small business owners. Next to high-street names, the little guy scarcely gets a look in.

Then there’s the complications of online trade, wherein cyberspace customers prefer more than ever to opt for familiar companies they already know and trust. In this respect, the world of ecommerce is just as ruthless an environment.

That’s why your website’s first impression, as well as any other online outputs, are of the utmost importance in building a relationship with your clients. These are just a few helpful tips on perfecting your website.

Professionalism is key

It takes a user mere milliseconds to decide how they feel about your website.

And if there are any glaring red flags, these will instantly influence their decision about whether or not they trust your site, whether they’re stay on it, and most importantly, whether or not they’ll buy from it.

Unless you’re a web development pro yourself with an eye for great design, it’s well worth reaching out to a professional service to create your perfect site. No customer is going to trust one that looks like it was made in 2006.

Make yourself useful

Once your site is put together, it should be not only visually appealing, but useful to your customer.

For instance, your site should be populated with content which clarifies your purpose and improves their experience to help them find what they’re looking for. Written content is something that many website owners assume they can DIY, but when it comes to captivating copy that captures customers’ imaginations and drives conversions, you may once again want to enlist the help of a professional.

Visual aids are also a great way to communicate with consumers onsite, as they are an eye-catching and accessible way to consume information. SNS Group can create engaging infographics that can be shared to social media (see below) as well as on your site, so you can showcase your unique knowledge and understanding of your industry to assure customers that you’re an expert in your field.

Get social savvy

Whether you’re launching a brand-new site or are simply trying to boost your digital reach, your brand should have a strong social media campaign alongside it.

This generates consumer trust in a number of ways – it demonstrates dedication to your online presence, and can also be an opportunity to engage directly with customers and offer customer service.

Social media is a crucial tool for finding, connecting with, and expanding your audience. Channel your energy into the platforms that are right for your brand – if your target market is the over 50s, you might not find much luck on a site with a younger usership, such as Instagram. Meanwhile B2B brands might favour LinkedIn to other platforms.

Want to make the most of your online presence and build lasting relationships with your customers? These three tips will help you maximise your reach in the digital sphere.