Your website is the hub of your
online business; it is the virtual representation of your company
whether your company exists physically or not. When you are doing
business online, people cannot see you physically like how they
could if they were dealing with an offline company. Hence, people do
judge you by your covers. This is where a good design comes in.
Imagine if you are running an offline
company. Would you allow your salespersons to be dressed in shabby
or casual clothes when they are dealing with your customers? By
making your staff wear professionally, you are telling your
customers that you do care about quality. This works simply because
first impressions matter.
Similarly, the same case is with your website. If your website is
put together shabbily and looks like a 5 minute "quick fix", you are
literally shouting to your visitors that you are not professional
and you do not care for quality.
On the opposite, if you have a totally professional looking website
layout, you are giving your visitors the perception that you have
given meticulous attention to every detail and you care about
professionalism. You are organized, focused and you really mean
business.
On the other hand, you should also have anything related to your
company well designed. From business cards to letterheads to
promotional brochures, every little bit matters. This is because as
you grow your business, these items become the face of your
business. Once again, think of the "salesperson dressed shabbily"
analogy, and you will get my point.
