"75% of people base the credibility of a business on how their website looks", according to a report from Stanford University
Too many businesses today think they are ahead of the pack for having a website at all, regardless of how good it looks. This might have been the case 10+ years ago but definitely not anymore.
The idea of judging an entire business based on the quality of their website is not only a very real thing but a fast-growing trend, especially with younger generations.
Demonstrating to your potential customers that you care about the quality of your website shows them that you care about quality in all things you do.
It also shows your customers that you care about your brand, and for younger generations, brand image and communicating your business' story and mission are massively important.
You might have great copy text, a well-crafted call to action, and everything else done right, but if your design looks outdated or has bugs, those things are noticed by your potential customer, and their first impression of your business is not going to be satisfactory.
"First impressions of a website are 94% design-related" (source)
In fact, a study found, "It takes about 50 milliseconds for visitors to form an opinion on your website" (source)
Other than the design of your site, there are of course many other factors that can affect your credibility, such as:
- Speed of your site
- User experience
- Mobile experience
- Bugs, errors
- Using HTTPS (valid SSL certificate)
- Media quality (photo/video)
- Information accuracy
- Demonstration of expertise, reviews
- Ability to contact you easily
Hopefully after reading this, you are convinced as to how important the quality of your website is to your company's overall credibility. Technology moves very fast, and the standard for what makes a good website is constantly being raised.
If your current site is more than a couple of years old or built DIY by a non-professional, consider giving it a refresh to keep up with trends.
Need an outside opinion?
If you aren't so sure or want an honest outside opinion, contact us today to get a free, comprehensive evaluation of your current website.
Ready for a modern upgrade?
At 2 Rivers Digital, we build modern websites that both perform and look great. If you are interested in giving your web presence a serious upgrade, get in touch with us!