Occasionally we like to share a little free website design advice. Lucky you, carpet and flooring business owner … today we’re doing your business category!
Carpet and flooring is a big deal to new home buyers, or homeowners looking to remodel. It’s also often a major investment. That means you’ve got to do all you can to make prospective customers feel comfortable with you before they’ve even met you or your staff.
There are some unprofessional types out there giving your industry a bad name. People could easily lump you into that category if they:
- Wonder whether you have a real storefront or can provide what they need.
- See product but wonder about the quality of your customer service.
- Don’t feel invited to do business with you.
Those are obvious messages to communicate in the real world, but too often the digital presence of flooring retailers doesn’t do enough to put flooring shoppers at ease. Here are our 5 most important parts of a flooring website that covers the basics:
- Its own URL (it’s not just a Facebook page).
Yes, having a social media presence is important. But having nothing more than a Facebook page is like having nothing more than a truck to sell out of. You may have a storefront, but in the digital world you look like a wandering nomad pitching a tent in the local marketplace for the day. Use your Facebook page to communicate, but drive people back to your website. It sets you apart from your competition.
- No more than three featured products on the home page.
Don’t overwhelm visitors with too much information right away. A good website will tell them in a split second that they are likely to find what they’re looking for. Grocery stores don’t put everything you can possibly buy on each aisle sign; they list a few items so you get the general idea. No more than three categories of product with pictures to match, please and thank you.
- Testimonials on display, not hidden away.
Don’t expect visitors to your website to go to your Testimonials page. That’s like asking someone watching TV to stop the show and watch some commercials instead. Just like when those commercials come on in the middle of the show automatically, testimonials should appear on the home page right smack in the middle of other content. Influence visitors; don’t ask them to influence themselves.
- A contact button.
You ALSO should not expect visitors to your site to click on the Contact page to reach you. For all you know, they may only be seeking information and not quite ready to make contact. You’ve got to put the idea in their heads. Invite them to click with a beautiful, enticing button that takes them to your contact form. Again, don’t expect anyone but the most motivated shoppers to go there themselves.
- An About page.
In the age of businesses-as-social-individuals, people care more than ever not just about what you do, but who you are. Don’t neglect this simple component of your website. For those who want to be reassured that there are good people behind your brand, include a picture and brief description about the people who make your business successful.
Want us to take a look at your site and let you know what we think? Just ask. We’re happy to help.
Also, check out Ingram’s Floor Covering for a good example of what we’re talking about!