Get Tech-Savvy

Simple steps to make your website user friendly

In today's technological world, your customer will be accessing your business's website in all kinds of new ways. It is important for owners of small businesses to consider devices like iPads, smartphones, and netbooks when developing their online content. But how do you please everyone when your costumers use such a wide array of gadgets? Here are a few tips on how to make your website more usable for your tech-savvy audience:

• Utilize analytic applications. Use an analytics or metrics application to track visitors to your website. Not only will you be able to see how many hits you are receiving, but many applications will also show you the browser information for the people viewing your site. Once you determine the most popular browsers and operating systems and your customers' usage of mobile devices, you can decide how to best develop your website to cater to your specific audience.
• Consider mobile devices. Check out how your website looks on the smaller screen of a mobile device. If your audience is frequently accessing your website through these devices, consider asking your web developer to create a less image-heavy site targeted directly for these users. You could, for example, create a style specifically for mobile web browsers, or create a program that adjusts your website to specific devices and screen sizes.
• Install easy printing options. If you know that your audience likes to print content off of your website, you might want to make it even easier for them to do so. For example, ask your web developer to add a printer-friendly sheet that can be accessed by your readers by a "print" icon on the webpage.
• Give your audience control. Demonstrate your flexibility to your customers by allowing options on your website that cater to individual needs. For example, including an option to increase or decrease font sizes for easier reading or adding color controls to adjust the page's contrast are both good ideas to show your customers that their preferences matter.