I focus on local service-based business websites because they tend to be simpler to put together and maintain. I particularly enjoy the type of website that local service businesses need, compared to online businesses or e-commerce sites, which require entirely different platforms like ClickFunnels or Shopify. For local service businesses, the main priority is converting website visitors into leads, and the second priority is educating those visitors on why they should choose this particular company. I truly enjoy building and maintaining these types of websites and helping these businesses grow.
The most important element is having prominent call-to-action buttons, such as “Book a Call,” “Get a Free Estimate,” or “Fill Out Our Form.” These buttons should be clearly visible throughout the website. Additionally, your phone number should be easily clickable in the website’s header.
Other essential pages include a blog to educate your audience and help with local SEO, as well as an About page, Contact page, Service page for each of your services, a Reviews page, and a Past Clients or Projects page. These pages enhance user experience and lay a strong educational foundation for your site.
Further features that can improve the user experience include a live chat button and a scroll-to-top button for easier navigation and accessibility.
Designing websites with user-friendly interfaces is key to keeping visitors on your site longer, which is exactly what search engines like Google want to see. A website’s performance is often measured by the “bounce rate” and how long users stay on the page—if they click through quickly and leave, it can negatively impact the site’s ranking.
User-friendly features, combined with quality content, encourage visitors to stay longer, which helps your SEO. In addition, implementing SEO strategies like using relevant keywords in your website’s meta titles, descriptions, and H1 headings will further boost your site’s search engine ranking.
My process is straightforward. First, I ask the client to send me one or two websites they like, so I can get a sense of their preferences. I take those inputs and create a custom design that balances their preferences with what will be most user-friendly and Google-friendly.
Once I’ve created a grayscale version of the design, I show it to the client for approval. If they like it, I move forward with adding color, branding, logos, and content. Once that version is approved, I build the final website—a living, breathing project that I’m proud to help bring to life.
Typically, the process takes about one to two months. However, delays can occur depending on client responsiveness or the complexity of the website. Some service-based websites, though typically simpler, may have additional features that could lengthen the timeline.
I make sure to communicate clearly with clients if I anticipate any delays. I also give clients ample time to provide the necessary content and information to keep the project on track.
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