6 tips for giving your bank website a tune-up in 2016

11/19/15

With 2015 quickly coming to a close, it’s time to talk shop.

Much like a car or truck, a neglected bank website will inevitably break down. But with regular maintenance, you can keep your website — your No. 1 vehicle for customer service and sales — firing on all cylinders. Here are six tips for giving your bank website a tune-up in 2016:

The compact treatment

Bigger isn’t always better, and few things are more frustrating than trying to access a big, bulky website on a small screen. If your website isn’t mobile-optimized, a significant percentage of your visitors will likely hit the brakes — and then find a credit union or bank website that’s more accommodating.

At BrownBoots, we build responsive bank websites, so our sites look fantastic and function flawlessly on all devices — from desktop computers and laptops to tablets and smartphones. Don’t let Mobilegeddon force you off the road: optimize your website for mobile traffic ASAP.

Content repair

Without a sound content marketing strategy as your road map, your bank website could end up going nowhere fast. To get the most mileage, fill ’er up with the best copywriting and images that drive conversions. With compelling website copywriting and the right calls to action, your site will leave the competition in the dust.

And if you don’t have one already, be sure to tap into a content management system (CMS) so you can make updates to your site efficiently and effortlessly.

SEO overhaul

Has traffic to your bank website stalled? Need a little more giddy-up from Google?

Forget shortcuts. The best way to increase your traction with search engines is by identifying the keywords that will steer your target audience to your site. If you need a crash course in search engine optimization (SEO), tune in to The ABCs of SEO.

Social media injection

Shift your content marketing strategy into high gear by adding a blog and the social media integration of feeds into your website.

Blogs not only provide a place to park new and useful content, they also give your SEO efforts a nitro boost. Blog posts also are an ideal destination for links from your other social media strategies and channels. After all, when it comes to social media marketing, all roads should lead to your website.

Performance diagnostics

Website analysis — that is, tracking your visitors’ route through your website and analyzing key website stats over time — puts you firmly in the driver’s seat to make continuous improvements. You won’t know what’s working and what isn’t until you start charting your progress on a website analytics report.

You might be amazed at what you find when you look under the hood…

Custom detailing

Time to turn off the cruise control and give your customers the features they need. Financial calculators, product wizards and other database-driven tools — web apps fuel functionality. And functionality gives your visitors a reason to make a return trip.

Isn’t it time to soup up your online presence, evolving from just a “brochure website” to an interactive destination?

Whatever you do, don’t let 2016 be the year your bank website breaks down. Give it the attention it deserves. Your digital marketing strategy — and customers — will thank you for it!

Keep your bank website running smoothly for many miles to come.