20 Must-Haves for a Good Concrete Company Website

In our fast-paced world of smart phones, high-speed Internet, and social networking sites, you just can't compete without your own company website. Even if your cell phone model isn't so "smart" or you don't have a Facebook account, there's no denying that many (if not all) of your potential clients have it all. And with those technological advances at their fingertips, there's an unsaid expectation for you to be up-to-date and participating.

Your own company website is a huge reflection on you and your business. Why? Because it's where most people start looking to see what you're all about. They judge your work. They judge you by the misspelled words they find on your site. They judge you even more harshly if you're behind-the-times and don't have a site! So whether you have a website or you plan on getting one, take inventory of these tips for a successful site and make sure you "qualify" in your clients' mind.

Website Content Checklist:

• Have a page on your site about what you offer. Clients come to your site thinking only about their project need (a patio, for example). They don't automatically know that you also do walkways and steps and stairs, and curbs, etc. Tell them.
• Include a clear company contact page. Put your name out there, give multiple numbers to reach you. Offer an email address and check it regularly.
• Don't overdo with text. Potential clients want to know about concrete, but they don't expect to learn it at your site. In fact, too much text can be a deterrent.
• Update your site regularly. You'd be surprised at how many people come back to your site over time. They should see some life in your site. It should change, be updated, have more pictures, etc.
• Expose your credibility. Include a projects page that highlights big-name companies or franchises you've installed for.
• Share the history of your company. Visitors to your site don't need to know everything about you, but share enough to let them know how long you've been in business, how you got started, what sets you apart. Include items like: licenses held, awards won, year established, experience, etc.
• Offer an incentive. Whether it's a free quote, a discount, or a free gift, offer an incentive for your visitors to mention it when they call you. It will help you measure the effectiveness of your site.
• Proofread for typos and errors. There's nothing else that subtly sabotages your credibility than a site filled with misspelled words, improper grammar and errors. Ask or hire someone with good grammar and proofreading skills to double check your site.
• If you move or something changes, don't forget to change that information on your site. Too many times, the website is the forgotten asset that doesn't get updated when you move locations or you change a phone number. Check your site periodically to make sure it's still accurate.
• Offer testimonials on your site. Potential clients value reading what your past clients have to say.
• Add captions to your photo gallery images so that site visitors know what they are looking at.

Website Photos Checklist:

• Your website is your portfolio online. It should be loaded with photos of your work. Show clients as many of your jobs as you can so they can see how varied your skills are.
• Your photos need to be professional-looking. You won't regret hiring a photography student or professional to take quality finished pictures of your work. Line up some of your best clients, ask to come back and take finished shots and promote the heck out of those photos on your site.
• Organize your photos. Have your photos grouped by type. If a potential client just wants a countertop, don't make them sift through all your photos of driveways. Get them right to what they want.
• Use photos of your own work. Using the photos of others, without their permission, is illegal and can have serious consequences.
• Remember that your website is a time-saver for you. Tell potential clients to visit your site on your first contact with them. You don't have to set up an appointment with them just to show them your work.

Website Design Checklist:

• Make sure your site isn't slow. If your site doesn't load on screen within a matter of 1-2 seconds, the likelihood that your visitor will move on is extremely high. Work with a good web developer that will know how to optimize the size of the photos on your site and adjust other elements to make sure your site is quick.
• Don't waste your website visitor's time with a flashy, slow-loading graphical intro. The web is fast-paced for a reason. People want to get in, get what they want, and get out. Don't slow them down. Some users' programs may not be able to support these features resulting in pages loading improperly, and users becoming frustrated.
• Don't copy your competitor's site. Just because you find yourself keeping tabs on what your competitors are doing, don't be tempted to design your site like theirs or to include similar information. You want to stand out, be different. Find your own creative angles. Your visitors will notice and question any similarities.
• Navigation is key. Make pages easy to move back and forth through. Clearly list page titles and information about what can be found on those pages.

Your website works for you 24/7. You never know who is accessing it or when. It's a never-ending marketing tool for you, so make the most out of it!