Covid and Credibility
“Not only are designers suckers for the remarkable, so are the people who enjoy the designs.”
"COVID-19 just, changed things"
Alright, family, let's dive into some website stats and see what's what. Did Covid-19 really affect how we shop? Are businesses with an online presence more credible than those that don't? What does the data say? Let's dive in! We're talking about turning data into actionable insights, so you can level up your online game.
General Vibe Check:
Websites are EVERYWHERE: Like, 1.09 billion of them. And new ones pop up every three seconds! That's wild. If you don't have a website for your business, you're missing out on connecting with a massive audience.
Businesses are catching on: 71% of businesses have a website. The pandemic really sped things up, because everyone went online.
Online = Money: Almost a third of all business happens online. If you're not selling online, you're leaving cash on the table.
Websites Need Love: 43% of small businesses plan to invest in their website performance. They know a good website is key to growth.
The question is: Did this increase in online traffic result in an increase in sales? The following chart tells a compelling story. Forrester Consulting surveyed business leaders to gain an understanding of how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted their businesses.
Traffic Talk - Where Are the People At?
Google Still Rules: A crazy 92% of global traffic comes from Google! SEO is still your bestie. If Google doesn't know you exist, nobody does.
YouTube is Huge: It's the second most visited site. Video content is where it's at.
Mobile is a Must: Almost half of web traffic in North America is on phones. If your site isn't mobile-friendly, you're doing it wrong.
User Experience - Keep 'Em Hooked:
Speed Matters: People bounce if your site takes more than a couple of seconds to load. Ain't nobody got time for that.
First Impressions are Everything: You have 0.05 seconds to make a good impression! Make it count.
Navigation is Key: People spend a few seconds checking out your menu. Make it clear and easy to use.
Videos are Gold: They can keep people on your page way longer.
Design Deets - Make It Look Good:
Mobile-Friendly = More Sales: People are way more likely to buy from you if your site looks good on their phone.
Call to Action is a Must: Most small business websites are missing a call to action! Tell people what you want them to do.
Design Matters for Credibility: Almost half of people judge a business based on its web design. Don't let a janky website ruin your rep.
Key Takeaways:
Get a Website (if you don't have one): Seriously, it's 2025.
Optimize for Mobile: No excuses.
Speed Up Your Site: Compress images, use a CDN, do whatever it takes.
Focus on User Experience: Make it easy for people to find what they need.
Add Video Content: Keep 'em engaged.
Make it Look Good: Invest in good design.
Track Your Metrics: Pay attention to bounce rate, time on site, and conversion rates.
Basically, your website is your digital storefront. Make sure it's welcoming, easy to navigate, and looks good. Otherwise, people will just walk on by. Make sure they walk in and buy! ;)
