It’s never been easier than it is today to hop on Google and find whatever horsey information you’re looking for. You can use the internet for everything from searching for equine website design tips to researching any little injury your horse may (or may not) have.
But you know what you’ll probably find? Most equine websites aren’t designed all that well – which makes it really difficult to navigate through content without pulling your hair out. So today, I’m going to give you a few easy tips to help your website stand out from the bad-website-design trend in the equine industry.
Let’s jump into these easy equine website design tips!
Pick a Website Builder That You Can Actually Use
There are so many different website builders available in 2022. Many claim to be user friendly and easy to use. Those claims aren’t always true. When you’re building an equine website design, it’s important that you vet your website builder to make sure you’ll actually be able to use it on your own. The top complaint from beginners attempting to build a new website is that they get too frustrated with the platform.
My favorite platform to use is WordPress. I typically build my sites out using a page builder called Elementor. There is a slight learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, website building is a breeze! Elementor and WordPress both come with many pre-built themes that will help you build your website quickly.
Another alternative is Squarespace. I’m not the biggest fan of Squarespace for my own designs, but I know that many consider it easy to use. Squarespace will also allow you to get all aspects of your website in one place (domain name, hosting plan, and email), which is convenient for most new equine business owners.
Choose a Theme That Suits Your Brand
One of the most important equine website design tips revolves around choosing the correct theme for your site. A theme is the visual style of a website. It helps users connect with the design by providing them with a consistent look and feel. There are many different themes available on most of the equine website design platforms, so choose one that suits your needs.
If you can’t find a pre-designed theme that works for you, you can always customize the colors and fonts to fit with your branding. There are tons of easy to follow tutorials that will show you how to customize the theme of your choosing.
Create a Compelling About Page
An about page is a page on your website that provides visitors with more information about your business. This page should provide visitors with details about who owns the business, where it was founded, its mission statement, and any other relevant information.
When writing out your biography, be sure to include personal information that will help your users better connect with you. In most cases, a customer will be more willing to buy from someone they actually like.
Include Custom Photos and Videos
My favorite of the equine website design tips: make sure your website includes custom photos (or videos). Human beings are ridiculously visual – which means you’ll have an easier time getting users to stick around if you’re using professional photos.
If you can, always choose custom photos and videos over stock options. This will be important for your SEO (search engine optimization). Search engines will often prioritize websites with custom images over those with stock photos. If you don’t have the money to hire a professional photographer, consider using your cell phone. Most cell phone cameras are pretty high quality, which means you can get great shots without a huge price tag.
Add Social Media Links
One of the most important equestrian website design tips is to remember social media integration. If you want to reach potential customers, you should include links to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Google My Business, YouTube, and any other platform you are active on. It’s important to also link your website on the platforms you’re using. This will help to create consistency across all of your online platforms.
Build Trust with Quality Content
A quality website will help build trust among potential customers. If you have a lot of pages on your site, make sure each one has a clear purpose and offers something unique. You should also use images and graphics to highlight key points and keep readers engaged. Providing free advice and content is a great way to build a relationship with potential customers and keep your services at the front of their mind when they are ready to purchase.
Did You Love These Equine Website Design Tips?
These were some of my favorite beginner equine website design tips. Did you find them useful? I’d love to hear more about what worked for you and what didn’t, so make sure to send me a message on Instagram if you used any of them.
And if you find that you’re struggling to build your own website, let me me help. Sometimes it’s worth the time (and energy) you save by investing in a professional design.
