Your Guide to Building a Successful Website for Your Pet Business
A website is an essential tool for any business, especially in pet services. What differentiates a good website from one that’s not-so-great can be different from industry to industry. In this post, we uncover the basics behind developing a website for the dog services industry that’s functional, professional, and credible. We’ll discuss:
- Why a good website is important for your pet business
- Elements of a good dog website including:
- Structure
- Call to action
- Expectations
Why is a Good Website Important?
Your website is the first impression that your business makes on the outside world. As such, it’s important that you put your best foot forward with a functional website that stands above your competition. A thoughtfully designed website will help you more easily communicate to customers who you are, what you represent, and what you do. It is a critical element to get right when marketing your pet business.
Businesses that don’t have proper websites place themselves at a huge disadvantage. When people can find your business online, it increases your chances of getting new leads. A good website will be able to utilize SEO best practices to increase the likelihood of appearing in search results within your target audience.
As organic traffic grows to your website, you will need to have a process in place for capturing those leads and converting them into active consumers. This is where the elements of a good dog website will come heavily into play.
Elements of a Good Dog Website
Now that you understand why a good website is critical for your dog business, it’s time to start building one for your brand. While every website should be an individual reflection of the businesses they serve, the elements of a good website will remain largely the same:
Proper Site Structure
When building a website, it’s important to consider its structure carefully. Websites should be easy to navigate with a page for every service. Make sure that all details about your services are clear and direct to prevent against a confusing user experience. If you offer boarding, daycare, and training, it is essential to have a page for each service. In addition to service pages, your website should contain:
- Pricing Page: Pet owners want to know up-front whether your goods or services fall within their price range.
- Contact Page: Include your business address, email, phone number, and a contact form to capture leads online.
- Service Area: Make sure to let your site visitors know where your business is located and what surrounding areas you serve.
- Testimonials: Highlighting reviews from past customers is a great way to earn trust from discerning dog owners.
- About Us: Include an about us page that details your mission, vision, values, and key differentiators.
- Blog Element: Having a blog on your website helps you capitalize on key search terms, increasing your chances of appearing in search.
The structure of your site should balance out written content with visual stimuli. Be sure to include plenty of pictures and videos where appropriate to create a more engaging experience for your audience. Review your site content at least once a month to make sure everything is up-to-date and accurate.
Clear Calls to Action
Perhaps one of the most important elements on your website will be its calls to action (CTAs). A CTA is a prompt that encourages your website visitors to take a desired action. Including CTAs throughout your website is one of the strongest ways to influence the consumer journey and convert them into active customers. CTAs might include:
- Clickable Buttons: Placing buttons with action phrases like “Book now” or “Contact us” is a great way to encourage users to do more on your site.
- Text Prompts: Inserting a CTA at the end of a paragraph or block of text gives readers a reason to act.
- Phone Numbers: Including a hyperlinked phone number in the header or footer of your website is a great way to facilitate easier communication.
Clear Process Expectations
When developing the content for your website, it’s important to include information on what customers should expect from engaging with your business. If a consumer doesn’t know what to expect from the process or believes it is too confusing, they may not engage with your business. Avoid losing out on potential conversions by including information on:
- Trial days or Temperament tests: Does your dog business require a test day or temperament test prior to accepting new customers? If so, this is important information to include on your website so pet owners are prepared for the experience.
- Vet Records & Vaccination Requirements: Most dog daycares, boarding, and other pet businesses require pet owners to provide veterinary records to ensure the health and safety of their guests. Make sure any vet requirements are made clear up-front.
- Spay/Neuter: If you require that dogs be fixed prior to visiting your facilities, it’s important to let pet owners know beforehand. Include information about when this process should be completed and what exceptions there may be, if any.
When in doubt, just get started!
Websites take time to develop, but the most important thing to do is to start the process. Making improvements over time is better than neglecting your online presence altogether.
If you’re not sure where to start, Signature W. Studio offers the solutions you need to create a stunning website for your pet business. We’ve helped many doggy daycares and pet entrepreneurs develop beautiful websites that allow them to meet and exceed their business objectives.
