Do you know what information should be on your website? It seems like common sense, but do you? Here is the thing, and you might not have heard/read this before so pay attention.

A website is not for the business owner. A website is for the customer and for the search engine

Yes, it’s your website. It needs to be consistent with the rest of your brand. It needs to be reflective of your culture and share the products or services that you offer. But the website isn’t for you.

Google write the rules of the game. We just play by those rules. Google write the rules based on the feedback and trends it sees from customer searches. So, when you create, edit or change your website you need to keep the following 3 things in mind.

Do: Make your site responsive. Responsive means that your site will “respond” (see what we did there?) to the size of the screen. Computer monitors, tablets, and phones all have varying size screens and building a site for each type of device isn’t cost effective or efficient when it comes to editing. Responsive platforms allow you to build one site that morphs its shape to the screen size. Google actually gives greater mobile search ranking to sites that are responsive. Over 100 billion searches are done on a mobile device each month. Show up well.

Don’t: Hide your phone number and address at the bottom of the page. If a customer has to look for your phone number, you won’t get called. If a customer has to look for your address, you won’t be found. List your phone number at the top right-hand corner of your page (this should morph to under your business name and logo on a phone). Why should your number be at the top? Do I really need to answer that one? Make sure you have a contact page with your address, phone and a map of your location. Rule of thumb; if someone is on your site on their phone they will interact with you within the next 5 miles or 5 hours. Can they find you?

Do: Write your content based on the customer. Don’t create your website based on what you think it should say. The site should be written to reflect the needs of the customer and the answers you provide. Remember, it’s called a search query. Google is looking to help people answer questions. Your website should answer questions for those you are looking to do business with. Write your site to your audience, not what you think it neat or funny.

Websites answer customer questions. Make sure you can be found, be seen and share who you are and what you do. The right website can keep a potential customer on-site to learn more about you. The wrong website can drive a potential customer away and leave you kicking yourself.