TOP 10 TIPS FOR A NEW WEBSITE
Our new website guide: 1. GET THE DOMAIN NAME RIGHT – Buying a domain (.co.uk, .com) with your business name is the most obvious choice but this is not always […]
There may be a raft of DIY options out there in terms of building your own website, but are they really up to the job? When you’re running something as multi-layered as an outdoor adventure business, choosing a more robust solution that’s tailored to your unique needs will give you a far better return on investment.
With Web Adept HQ being located in a favourite spot for adrenaline seekers, we’ve built websites for some of the OGs of the outdoor adventure industry. Illustrious clients include TYF, a renowned centre of excellence, coasteering pioneers and bedrock of adventure sports in Wales; MUUK, leaders in endurance events, global training and adventure tourism; Ty Nant Outdoors, world class paddle sports specialists and adventure experts providing top notch coaching, awards and qualifications; The Real Adventure Company, established watersports leaders with a lifetime of experience; and Blue Shark Charters, offering some of the very best sustainable fishing trips in the west.
With Web Adept HQ being located in a favourite spot for adrenaline seekers, we’ve built websites for some of the OGs of the outdoor adventure industry. Illustrious clients include
So, if you’re a forward-thinking adventure company looking to hold your own against the best in the sector, here are our top ten reasons why outdoor adventure companies need quality websites.
Ever clicked onto a website and been put off buying anything by the quality of the site? You’re not alone. A website is your digital shop window. It has to be at least on par, or preferably better, than your competitors. As a reflection of your brand, your website needs to communicate that you pay attention to detail, have high standards and have everything locked down – all particularly important when your business model means that customers will be putting their physical safety in your hands. A professional site demonstrates the reliability and trustworthiness that are essential for encouraging people to choose you over your rivals. That’s why it’s so important to choose a web design company, like Web Adept, that understands exactly how a website boosts outdoor business credibility.
A talented web designer doesn’t just make everything look great. They understand sales funnels, consumer behaviour, market trends, how intelligent, captivating design can engage and persuade and a whole lot more besides. Your site has to give your customers everything they need and make the journey from browsing to booking as easy and engaging as possible. Plus, it has to work seamlessly on whatever device your customers are using to search. An average, non-intuitive website that isn’t professionally optimised for laptops, mobiles and everything in between will probably send potential adventurers packing in no time at all. There’s greater potential to win over customers and increase bookings for outdoor businesses with web design, but you need to know which sweet spots to hit.
As an adventure provider, you’ll know just how important seamless booking and payment systems are. When they’re buggy, slow, or just don’t work like you need them to, it’s a nightmare – both for you and your customers. This is often a big issue with DIY websites, whereas a ‘proper’ web designer will make sure that side of things runs like a well-oiled machine. The nature of outdoor adventuring also means it’s likely that you will want to add specialised features, like the ability to book equipment/clothing or define group sizes, for example – another area where a professional build comes into its own.
If you want to rank higher on Google and expand your audience reach, you have to keep the search engine gods happy. Unless you are an SEO expert yourself, taking a DIY approach will mean you will almost certainly miss out in terms of online visibility. A professional designer understands Search Engine Optimisation and ensures that key elements like strategic keyword placement and robust local SEO are taken care of. We can almost guarantee your competitors with professional websites have everything SEO’d to the hilt.
Sure, you can connect to other platforms with a DIY site, but seamless integration requires professional expertise. Having all your marketing channels, like your email, social media, and CRM systems, running smoothly in tandem with your website makes life much easier for any busy business owner. A good web designer will also ensure that you are able to capture all the key metrics for things like site performance, customer interactions and marketing campaigns, so you can make data-driven decisions.
As with any outdoor activity website, packing it with top quality visuals is an absolute must. Action shots, drone videos, team photos and the like are the most immersive way to convey the experience, personality, and quality of your company. A professional designer not only knows how to use visuals to lead the eye and drive sales but also makes sure that the formats are optimised to ensure that load times aren’t affected – because no one has the patience to wait for a slow-loading site.
Unless you have an exceptional eye or a background in graphic design, it’s harder than you’d think to keep your brand identity consistent across your platforms, particularly when it comes to your website. As seasoned designer knows all the tricks of the trade and can ensure that your branding is reflected in a cohesive way throughout your site, from the layout and custom colours to the personality and overall feel. It’s subtle, but it all plays a key role in making your business distinctive and helping people to resonate with your brand.
As an activity provider, you’re used to making your services as accessible as possible and the same should be true for your website. Good accessibility is crucial if you want to connect with a wider range of potential customers, including people with disabilities. Web professionals understand accessibility standards and know how to optimise your site by integrating features like colour contrast for readability, screen reader compatibility and keyboard navigation to ensure that your websites user experience is as inclusive as possible.
Cyber threats are getting ever more sophisticated, so you need to be confident that your website is built with robust security in mind, especially as it will be processing sensitive data like customers’ personal and payment details. A good web designer ensures strong security protocols and compliance with data protection regulations, giving your website a level of protection that DIY sites often lack.
A good website is designed to be scalable, enabling it to grow in step with your business. The DIY options don’t offer the same degree of flexibility as a bespoke design that is custom built to meet both your current and future business goals. So, when you need to add extra features, you don’t have to wrestle with the limitations of a basic DIY site.
At Web Adept, our encyclopaedic knowledge of website design tips for outdoor adventure brands underpins our impressive track record. We know the industry and we know what works. Our team collaborates closely with you throughout the build process, so you get exactly what you want and exactly what your business needs. Also, we don’t just build websites to your unique spec, we give you the digital training you need to manage your site with ease going forward.
So, if now’s the time to up your online game and discover the benefits of professional website design for adventure businesses, our Web Adept team are ready to help. Get in touch for a chat today.
Great company, great service, great designs and amazing team. would highly recommend
R.C – TYF Adventure LTD.