It is estimated that more than 75 million websites use WordPress software to host their content and this number is continuing to grow. Thanks to a host of unique templates, a user-friendly design, and enhanced customization features, WordPress has become one of the most popular choices for businesses of all sizes. The good news is that the associated tools continue to evolve as technological options become more advanced. Still, simply possessing a WordPress-powered site alone does not guarantee success. If you hope to enjoy a higher return on investment during the coming year, there are a handful of tips and tricks to keep in mind. Let’s take a quick look at what 2020 has in store.
Clean, Sorted, Optimised and Responsive
The single most important recommendation is to make certain that the layout of your website is clean and straightforward. Research has shown that the average visitor will spend only a handful of seconds waiting for a page to load before looking elsewhere. This is why clutter and similar “fluff” should be kept to a minimum. The same holds true in regards to navigation. Potential shoppers should be able to find what it is that they are searching for in a matter of seconds. Thankfully, modern WordPress themes have taken UX concerns into account.
The second ingredient for success involves utilizing a responsive WordPress theme. What is meant by the term “responsive” in this sense? Responsive website designs will display correctly across multiple different devices regardless of the operating system or the screen size. This is obviously critical when we consider the fact that a growing percentage of the public is now using tablets and smartphones to browse the Internet. Should the contents of your website display incorrectly, a potential sale could be lost? Some of the main concerns associated with a responsive design include:
- Speed
- The ability to handle code such as CSS and JavaScript.
- Both on-page and local optimization.
User-friendly sorting and search options also need to be employed. Customers should be able to find a product based on specific choices such as size, color, price, relevance, keywords, or those which have been advertised the most recently. This is much more preferable when compared to being forced to wade through a field of digital detritus before finally encountering what they have been looking for.
All of these possibilities have been built directly into the WordPress interface, so their implementation should not present a problem. Still, are there any other useful tricks to employ if you do not have a great deal of money to spend or if you cannot hire a professional UX specialist? Let’s now examine some wallet-friendly suggestions during the coming year.
Money-Saving Options for the Modern Business Model
It is no secret that the design of your website is critical if you ever hope to enjoy a robust customer base. However, what about other important concerns such as logistics? What choices do you have in the event that you are unable to afford to purchase, storing and shipping a considerable amount of inventory? One excellent option is known as drop shipping. Drop shipping pairs your business with a supplier. This supplier keeps all relevant products in stock. Upon the completion of a sale, the supplier will thereafter ship the item to the end user. There are several benefits associated with starting a drop shipping business which include:
- Lower overhead.
- You are not required to purchase products in bulk in order to maintain an adequate stock.
- Items can sometimes be offered below wholesale prices.
- The shipping process is fast, efficient and transparent.
Not only will this save you a great deal of money, but customers will appreciate the fact that the products are shipped within an amenable time frame.
In the same respect, take a look at how the e-commerce section of your WordPress site has been performing over the past year. How easy is it to work with? Have you received a significant number of complaints from past customers? What type of payment methods are supported and does this section automatically update once improvements have been made? Always keep in mind that the e-commerce segment if your website represents the final frontier between a potentially interested customer and a completed purchase. Take a look online in order to determine if there are any additional software programs at your disposal. While replacing the e-commerce section of your site may take a bit of time, it is well worth the effort if you can achieve higher levels of client satisfaction in 2020.
Please keep all of these suggestions in mind, as they can be implemented within a relatively short period of time and they will provide your WordPress business with the digital “breathing room” required for success.
