Important Website design Precepts for CPA Websites
Separate your website from the hundreds of other competitor's CPA business websites by providing users with valuable information in a simple format that is easy to use. Make the experience so good that they share your website with friends. Because of the mass number of accountants online, the process of finding a trusted accountant is often difficult. You can set yourself apart from your competitors with a well thought out website that allows for interaction between you and your prospective clients. You want potential clients who peruse your site to feel confident that you are the best choice for their accounting needs. To achieve this you need to stand out from the competition.
You might think that you can just sit down at a computer and start designing your accounting website. However, before you begin you will need to find a company to host your website. Searching for a hosting company can be a challenge, especially if you aren't a web guru. A good approach is to look at the features that each company provides and evaluate them based on your needs. As an accounting business, you won't need a lot of features. However, you will want a reliable host with enough speed to keep your website working smoothly.
The next step in creating your website will be to design your website. If you choose to hire someone, just make sure that they are reliable and are willing to work closely with you throughout the entire process. If someone does it for you, make sure they are clear on exactly what you want on the website and how you want it to look. Stay conscious of the page load time throughout the design process. Slow load times will send your users to the competition. Avoid the temptation to turn your website into a MySpace page that is overloaded with flashy features. The best CPA websites are simple and informative.
Some websites feature stunning designs. The only problem is that on some of them, it is almost impossible to figure out how to contact the company. Include accurate contact information on your website so that clients and prospects can contact you with ease. In addition to providing the usual contact information on your website, you might want to make it interactive. The benefit of a website is that it connects people to your business. A guest book or comments section is a simple, yet effective way to make your website interactive. It will allow users to contact you instantly with concerns or questions. Respond to all comments and questions quickly. No one wants to feel like their accountant doesn't care about them or need them as a client.
Building a beautiful website is really just the first step in making an impression online. In order to have anyone find your accounting website, you will need to promote it. The Internet is a big neighborhood. In order to stand out online, a strategic approach to marketing it will be necessary. One simple way to drive traffic to your website is to get your CPA websites onto Internet directories such as Google and Yahoo. A lot of Internet marketing services will try to sell you a lot of hype and over-exagerrate the amount of recognition they can get for you online. If it sounds too good to be true, be wary. Focus on building a website that is rich with useful resources. Ultimately, this is what will result in a credible website in the eyes of both users and search engines. Anyone who tells you otherwise is being dishonest in order to get business.
Finally, you must carefully choose how you promote your website. Some unscrupulous companies send out spam-like advertisements as a promotion scheme. One thing is clear, people hate getting random messages in their email account. A more accepted approach is to create an opt-in contact list. Mail a weekly newsletter with helpful tips that will be of use to your existing clients and prospective clients with a link to your site. It is also a smart idea to offer valuable information to your customers. It is imperative to lay out a website that makes it a straight forward process for visitors to get in contact. When it comes down to is, your Internet presence is just another avenue for you to reach out to people. Remember to promptly reply to all comments because it's a good way to interest potential clients.