Thrive Online! Website Tips for Small Business Success

Peoples Bank is here to help you reach your business financial goals, but we are also here as a resource for you. In today's crowded online marketplace, your website is often the first impression a potential customer has of your business. But simply having a website isn't enough to stand out. To succeed, you must attract visitors, build trust, and convert them into paying customers.

As a bank dedicated to helping small business owners in the Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota regions, Peoples Bank knows that juggling multiple priorities and marketing might not be your area of expertise. That's why we've put together this guide with three essential website tips to help you maximize your online presence.

1. Invest in a professional online presence

If you're one of the 73% of small business owners that has a website (Source: BusinessDasher), you know that creating a website that is both visually appealing and effective in attracting customers can be challenging, especially with a limited marketing budget.

Your website is like your digital storefront. It's often the first place potential customers will "meet" you, and just like your physical shop, you want to make a great first impression. But a professional online presence goes beyond just having a website – it's about creating a cohesive and engaging experience that attracts customers and helps your business grow.

Here's why a professional online presence matters more than ever:

• Builds Trust & Credibility: A well-designed website shows you're serious about your business. Remember, you are the expert in your field! Show that to your audience!
• Gets You Noticed: In a crowded online world, a professional website helps you stand out and get found by the right people.
• Strengthens Your Brand: Your website is a reflection of your brand's personality. A professional design helps you communicate your unique style and values, making you more memorable.  
• Turns Visitors into Customers: A user-friendly website makes it easy for people to find what they need and take action, whether it's making a purchase, requesting a quote, or signing up for your newsletter.  
• Always Open for Business: Your website is open 24/7, 365 days a year. This means customers can learn about your business and even make purchases at any time, from anywhere in the world.  
• Helps with Customer Service: A website with FAQs, contact forms, and maybe even a live chat option that can answer questions and provide support, even when you're not available.

Key components of a professional online presence

• Website Design: Have a website that's mobile friendly, meaning, it's visually appealing, easy-to-navigate, and looks great on phones, tablets, and computers.  
• Valuable Content: Create interesting and helpful content (like blog posts, articles, or videos) that your target audience will love.  
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Make sure your website shows up in search results when people look for businesses like yours.  
• Social Media: Connect with your audience and build a community on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or LinkedIn.  
• Claim Your Business Listings: Claim your business listings on search engines like Google, Bing, and Yelp, so that you have control over your business information such as business hours, contact information, and offerings.
• Online Advertising: Consider using online ads to reach more potential customers and promote your products or services.
• Email Marketing: Collect email addresses and send out newsletters or promotions to stay top-of-mind with your customers.  
• Online Reputation: Keep an eye on online reviews and respond to comments (positive or negative) to build a positive reputation for your business.

Making the investment

Building a professional online presence requires time, effort, and resources. Consider these options to make it happen:

• Do It Yourself: If you're tech-savvy and have the time, you can try managing your online presence using website builders and other tools.
• Hire the Pros: If you want a polished and effective online presence, consider hiring experts like web designers, content writers, and marketing specialists.
• Use Online Tools & Services: Many online tools and services are available to help you with website analytics, email marketing, social media management, and other aspects of your online presence.

Investing in your online presence is essential for growth. There are many financing options available for small business owners through Peoples Bank that can help you achieve a professional online presence.

2. Make it easy to pay

You've attracted customers to your site, showcased your products and services, and built trust with compelling content. Now, you want to make it as easy as possible for them to do business with you. A smooth and convenient checkout experience can be the difference between securing a sale and losing a customer.

Offer different ways to pay

Not all customers prefer the same payment methods, but you can make it easy for them to pay you by offering a range of payment options through Peoples Bank Merchant Services.

• Credit & Debit Cards: Accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover)
• Digital Wallets: Let people use Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal for a quick and secure checkout experience.
• Other Payment Methods: Depending on your target audience, you might also consider bank transfers.

Keep it secure & trustworthy

Imagine a customer is trying to make a purchase on your site, only to be met with a security warning. Customers need to feel confident that their payment information is safe and secure with you:

• SSL Certificate: This is a must-have! It encrypts data and protects sensitive information. Look for the "https" in your website address.
• PCI Compliance: Follow the rules set by the Payment Card Industry to keep credit card information secure.
• Show Trust Badges: Display security badges from well-known companies (like Norton or McAfee) to reassure customers that your site is safe.
• Be Transparent: Clearly explain your privacy policy, return policy, and terms of service to build trust with your customers.
• ADA Compliance: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance is the practice of making electronic information and technology accessible to people with disabilities. This can include things like adding ALT text to your website photos and graphics, color contrast, readable PDFs, just to name a few.

People Bank helps small business owners enhance customer satisfaction by providing the tools and support needed to create a convenient, secure, and customer-centric payment experience.

3. Track your website results to grow your business

We know you're busy with customers, orders, and everything else that it takes to keep things running. But you don't have to fly blind when it comes to your website. By tracking the right information, you can make smart choices that bring in more customers and boost your sales.

Think of it like this: Imagine you own a bakery. You wouldn't just bake a bunch of cakes and hope for the best, right? You would want to know which flavors are selling, what times of day are busiest, and if people prefer cupcakes or cookies. Your website is no different.

Here's how tracking your website can help:

• Know Your Customers: Find out who's visiting your site, where they're from, and what interests them. This helps you tailor your offerings and market to the right people.
• See What's Working: Discover which pages are most popular, what marketing efforts are bringing in the most visitors, and where people are getting stuck on your site.
• Make More Money: Track how many people are buying your products, signing up for your emails, or contacting you for more information. This shows you what's leading to sales and where you can improve.
• Direct Your Focus: Use the information you gather to improve your website to create better content and focus your marketing on what works.
• Improve Your Website: Find out where visitors are having trouble on your site and make it easier for them to find what they need and do business with you.
• Stay Ahead of the Game: By understanding how people are using your website, you can keep up with online trends and stay a step ahead of your competition.

How Peoples Bank can help

Your website is your most valuable asset in today's digital world. By investing in a professional design, optimizing for mobile, streamlining payments, and tracking your results, you can create a website that attracts customers, builds trust, and drives business growth. At Peoples Bank, we're here to support small business owners with products and services to help you grow your business. Contact us to learn more.

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