First impressions matter—particularly on the web.
Let’s say you need a lawyer. You head—where else?—to the Internet. Google gives you search results, so you start at the top. Of course, you know nothing, really, about the firms displayed in your search results, the degrees from which institutions of higher education their partners possess, how often they win their cases, their claims to fame. But, still, you make a snap judgment. Is this the firm for me?
And all you’re going on is the look of each firm’s website. The colors. The typography. The images. Seems unfair, doesn’t it? But that’s how it works. Researchers tell us it takes only about 50 milliseconds for visitors to a website to form an opinion about that website. Fifty milliseconds. It happens without you even being aware of it, in your subconscious.
All based on your graphic design.
If your website looks unappealing or outdated, visitors will immediately—all but instantly—form a negative impression of your business. They won’t find your website appealing, which pushes them away from your page. You’ll miss out on business—cash in your pocket—because they’ll leave your page for a competitor’s more visually compelling page.
Fifty milliseconds.
Should they trust your business? Are you a “professional”? Will you provide good customer service? Are you up to date or behind the times? A straight shooter or a dirty dealer?
And, as if that wasn’t bad enough, the internet itself is judging you, too—just as uber-instantly. Certain web design elements can directly affect your Search Engine Optimization, which will determine how high you rank in Google search results, which determines how likely it is that prospects will find you to solve the problem they’re searching the web to solve.
Really? All this hinges on the design of your website?
Yep. So what now? Read on:
Does it all still seem a bit intimidating?
That’s why website designers, developers and creative agencies exist! We’re here to help you on your journey of using WordPress to run a successful small business. If you believe your website could be better serving your customers, drop us a line. We’d love to have an open discussion with you about your concerns and what solutions may exist. No obligation!
Do you form an immediate impression of a business based on its website?