Imagine this: in 2023, 93% of online events started with a search engine. Now, think about when someone searches for a service or product you offer. What’s the first thing they see? Your website. This already simple yet powerful fact emphasizes the crucial role of website development more and more. Everyone knows what a website is, but unfortunately, not everyone attaches importance to it. They develop it for the sake of having it, or they develop it well but leave it halfway through. So, in this article, we will look at why creating and maintaining websites has become an integral part of the modern business world. From a primary point of contact with customers to a key tool in your digital marketing strategy, we’ll look at how a well-designed website can be a key factor in your business success, driving growth, customer engagement, and business success.
How consumer behavior changed last years
Over the past decade, the internet has transformed from a search tool to a lifestyle, fundamentally influencing how we shop, communicate, and experience the world. Businesses that capitalize on this transformative shift thrive today, while those that cling to outdated models risk becoming obsolete.
Rapid growth in the number of online users
A staggering 90% of the world’s population has access to the internet and spends an average of six hours a day on its virtual shores. The insatiable appetite for digital technology forces companies to create more online resources, websites, and platforms.
E-commerce means even more online shopping
Traditional stores are giving way to digital: In 2023, 65% of consumers will choose to shop online, preferring the convenience, variety, and competitive prices offered by e-commerce platforms. With this dramatic rise in online shopping, businesses need to equip themselves with user-friendly interfaces, robust shopping carts, and secure payment gateways to win the hearts and wallets of digitally savvy consumers.
Mobile dominance
Smartphones have become an extension of ourselves, fitting our digital lives into their sleek bodies. More than 70% of internet users shop directly from their mobile devices. Businesses must prioritize a mobile-first strategy and ensure their websites are optimized for the small screen, load fast, and easily navigate by touch.
The growing influence of social media
The era of relying solely on traditional advertising is over. In the age of social media, consumer trust and brand loyalty are built on peer recommendations and online communication. 80% of consumers admit that their purchasing decisions are influenced by what they see on social media platforms. Companies should be active on these platforms to encourage community, build relationships, and present their products authentically and engagingly.
The power of video content
The brain is highly visually stimulated, and video content is the king of engagement. Websites with video increase consumer understanding of products and services by 95%. Businesses should harness the power of video demos, customer testimonials, and immersive showcases to stand out from the online noise and build deeper connections with their target audience.
The transformation of consumer behavior in 2025 is both a challenge and an opportunity for companies. Companies will survive and thrive in this era by embracing these digital trends, prioritizing user experience, and adapting their strategies to the needs of internet-first consumers. The digital landscape is constantly evolving; only companies that adapt and innovate will remain relevant in the eyes of their ever-connected consumers.
The digital transformation in traditional businesses
Due to target audiences’ new needs, interests, and capabilities, traditional marketing has gone digital and changed how businesses engage with their audiences. The shift from traditional to digital marketing methods has redefined the rules of engagement for businesses.
Digital marketing has opened up new possibilities. Unlike traditional marketing, it is a more targeted, measurable, cost-effective strategy to reach a wider audience. It offers immediacy and interactivity that traditional methods lack, allowing companies to engage with customers in real-time and gather valuable feedback.
Website are at the heart of digital marketing strategies
Websites are at the heart of the digital marketing ecosystem. Websites are digital storefronts where companies present their brands, products, and services. A well-designed website can fulfill various functions, such as a point of sale, a source of information, and a point of contact.
- Websites and SEO are inextricably linked. An SEO strategy is essential to drive organic traffic to your website and ensure it ranks high in search engine results. Keywords, meta descriptions, and quality content play an important role and make a website more visible and accessible to potential customers.
- Websites are now the backbone of content marketing strategies. Companies create value for their audiences through blogs, articles, infographics, and website videos. This helps attract and retain customers and positions the website as a thought leader.
- Social media platforms are used to drive traffic to websites. Websites act as a central location for visitors from different social media channels. Integrating social media and websites can expand reach and build brand-centered communities.
- Lead Generation and Conversion. A website significantly enhances lead generation and conversion, utilizing forms with an average 25% conversion rate, CTAs that can boost conversions by up to 80%, and targeted landing pages that can increase leads by 55%, serving as critical tools in transforming visitors into potential customers.
- Data and Analytics. Websites are essential for gathering data and insights, with analytics showing users typically spend 2-3 minutes per visit, customization of CTAs based on behavior can increase conversions by up to 42%, and personalized content can boost sales by 19%, underscoring their pivotal role in enhancing marketing strategies and user engagement.
As companies continue to embrace digital transformation, the role of websites in marketing strategies is becoming increasingly important as the primary interface between companies and their digital customers.
The business website as a first impression
As you know, a business website is often the first point of contact between a company and its potential customers. This first encounter determines the customer’s overall impression of the brand, so the website’s role in creating that first impression is crucial.
The critical role of the first impression
The adage ‘you never get a second chance to make a first impression’ is especially true in digital interactions. Research shows that it takes less than two seconds for a visitor to form an opinion about a website. This opinion determines whether the visitor stays and explores the site further or leaves and never returns. Website design, usability, and content are key factors in this first impression.
A website that is visually appealing, easy to navigate, and communicates your business’ value proposition will effectively attract visitors. Conversely, a poorly designed website will quickly drive potential customers away, regardless of the quality of the products or services offered.
Examples of effective website design
- Apple website is an example of a clean, elegant design that captures the brand’s spirit. With an emphasis on intuitive navigation and high-quality visuals, the website effectively showcases Apple products and creates a user experience that exudes sophistication and ease of use.
- Airbnb’s website makes a strong first impression with eye-catching, vibrant visuals and user-centered design. The website instantly immerses visitors in a world of travel and accommodation opportunities, making it easy for users to plan their next adventure.
- Dropbox website features a minimalist design with a focus on functionality. Clear, concise messaging and call-to-action buttons provide a seamless user experience reflecting the brand’s focus on simplicity and efficiency.
- Tesla website engages visitors with its futuristic design and interactive elements. It perfectly represents Tesla’s innovation in the electric vehicle industry, allowing visitors to search for models easily, customize features, and even place orders with just a few clicks.
These examples show how successful companies use websites to make a strong first impression. They show that a well-designed website can be a compelling brand ambassador that communicates its values, philosophy, and proposition in a way that resonates with visitors.
🔎Learn more about why use WordPress for small business websites in 2024?
Website development – benefits for businesses of all sizes
Websites offer many important benefits for businesses of all sizes. From start-ups to large corporations, building a strong online presence through a website can make a big difference in many ways.
Global reach
One of the most important benefits of a website is its ability to break down geographical barriers. Through a website, you can reach a global audience that you cannot reach through traditional marketing methods. Even small businesses can extend their reach far beyond their local area and expand their markets and opportunities worldwide. The vast possibilities of the internet mean that a well-optimized website can attract customers from different countries, cultures, and time zones and significantly increase your potential customer base.
Cost-effectiveness
From a marketing perspective, websites are a cost-effective solution compared to traditional channels. The initial investment in website development and maintenance is often lower than the ongoing costs of traditional marketing advertising. In addition, digital marketing campaigns run through websites are often less costly and have better tracking features, allocating marketing budgets more efficiently.
Brand building and management
Websites are excellent tools for creating and controlling the brand narrative. Websites act as the official voice of your business and give you complete control over how your brand is presented. Through thoughtful design, content, and visuals, businesses can shape their brand image and communicate their values, mission, and services. This direct control allows them to create a consistent and compelling brand identity.
Grow your business with wordpress development in 2024
Scaling a business is key to long-term success as it can increase revenue and improve efficiency. However, insufficient scaling can limit a company’s potential and cause decline, and WordPress development can be a solution to help your business grow.
Challenges and overcoming them when scaling and managing a growing business – for a business to grow, it needs to hire new employees strategically. WordPress can help them manage their content and operations efficiently, regardless of the business size.
Financial challenges. To scale, you need to manage your finances properly, and WordPress can help you optimize costs and increase efficiency with the help of existing tools.
Leveraging tools and technology – WordPress-based automation and digital tools can help you manage expanding operations and create remote employment opportunities.
As a business development platform, WordPress offers effective business expansion capabilities, excellent SEO capabilities, and e-commerce solutions; WordPress is ideal for companies looking to grow and enter new markets.
WordPress in action – Artilab success stories
Increase business value through custom corporate website development
This project is a testament to how custom website development can significantly enhance business value, positioning companies for success in the digital landscape.
An IT outsourcing company needs a sophisticated, feature-rich corporate website. They approached us with a clear vision, detailed specifications, a well-thought-out design, a marketing strategy, and specific SEO requirements.
Our team embarked on developing a complex corporate website on WordPress, tailored to meet every aspect of the client’s needs. We went beyond the basics, infusing the site with exclusive animations that enhanced its visual appeal without compromising functionality. A notable feature was the synchronization of job listings with itfin.io, streamlining the recruitment process.
The outcome was a high-performing website that perfectly encapsulated the client’s brand and business strategy. The technical prowess of our team was evident in the site’s impressive load speed, scoring a remarkable 96 on Google Page Speed. The website met and exceeded client expectations with over 25 custom blocks and innovative features. It carved out a prominent position for the client in a competitive market, becoming a cornerstone of their marketing and business growth strategy.
E-commerce website development for DeWalt’s Official Representative in Ukraine
This project exemplified how innovative e-commerce solutions could revolutionize a brand’s online presence, providing unparalleled convenience to customers while streamlining business operations. The store we developed for DeWalt’s official representative in Ukraine stands as a benchmark in the industry for its unique functionalities and excellent performance.
The official representative of DeWalt in Ukraine approached us with a specific goal: to develop a modern and user-friendly online store showcasing the brand’s strengths. They envisioned a platform where customers could easily search for spare parts using an exploded view of tools and seamlessly add them to a shopping cart.
We created a unique OpenCart online store tailored to the client’s vision. Our focus was on implementing a multi-functional shopping cart system. This system allowed customers to add products from various online stores within the client’s network and proceed to checkout in one unified cart.
We introduced innovative features like an interactive exploded-view tool for effortless spare parts search. Additionally, we implemented a robust synchronization system with the supplier databases, ensuring the online store was always up-to-date. We integrated an ultra-fast product data synchronization system with 1C to streamline the process further.
WordPress website development to guide and facilitate user interaction with DeFi protocols effortlessly, taking care of technical details and support.
This project showcased our ability to deliver a comprehensive, technically sound, and aesthetically pleasing WordPress website tailored to the DeFi sector’s unique demands. It stands as a testament to our commitment to delivering solutions that are functional and strategically aligned with our client’s business goals
Our client, operating in the dynamic world of Decentralized Finance (DeFi), needed a sophisticated WordPress website. The goal was to create a platform that would effortlessly guide and facilitate user interaction with DeFi protocols, handling all technical aspects from start to finish.
The result was a high-performing, attractive WordPress website that excellently facilitating user interactions with DeFi protocols. Its advanced functionality and scalable design ensured the site was not just a one-time solution but a long-term asset ready for future expansion. The visually striking design and seamless functionality significantly boosted the client’s online presence, enhancing their ability to execute marketing and sales strategies effectively.
Final <span>Thoughts</span>
The evolution of consumer behavior and the online world in 2025 underscores the urgent need for companies to adapt to change. Now more than ever, a company’s website is central to its digital identity as a first impression, marketing hub, and global showcase.
Integrating WordPress into your business strategy can provide an efficient and cost-effective solution for global reach, brand building, and effective customer relationship management. The platform adapts to SEO, content marketing, and social media integration, making it a valuable asset in digital marketing. The fact that 70% of internet users shop on their mobile devices underscores the importance of a mobile strategy.
The challenges associated with increasing scale, such as managing an expanding business and financial resources, can be effectively addressed with WordPress, whose various tools and technologies enable businesses to grow by effectively serving new markets and demographics. As businesses look to scale and capitalize on new market opportunities, WordPress becomes a powerful platform that turns content management into a powerful tool for business development and growth.
If you’re ready to take your business to the next level in the digital world, don’t wait! Contact Artilab today and let us use our advanced development techniques and deep business understanding to help you succeed online. Contact us now and start your journey to digital excellence!