Do You Love Your Website?

That most sickly sweet day of the year is upon us - Valentine's Day. The one day solely dedicated to expressing love for the soppy at heart, and one that can fill you with passion, dread or a bilious feeling - or all three if you pick the wrong restaurant.

When it comes to all the things you love in your life, most would admit that quality and getting exactly what you want is key to your happiness. Obviously we're not talking about your better half - we wouldn't dream of interfering - but in the items you invest in and the things you hold dear. Like your business.

So how do you feel about your website? Do you love it? Does it set your heart a flutter, does it press your buttons and is it the hottest thing on the web you've ever laid your eyes on? 

Or could it do with a splash of colour, a makeover or even a spot of virtual Botox to iron out the wrinkles?

We've put together our Top 5 Tips for making your website attract all the right admirers and give you that warm, fuzzy feeling inside:

1. Get out more

You'll never meet your perfect partner, or customer, if you keep your website locked up in 2005.  If you're a shop or have something good-looking to offer your customers, then make sure others can shout about them. Add social media sharing buttons to products and blog posts so that visitors can give those traditional word of mouth recommendations in the most modern way.

2. Think about a nip and tuck

Is your website looking a bit wrinkled around the edges, does your font need to take a long look in the mirror? Giving your website a few simple design tweaks such as updating the homepage and making it Web 2.0 compatible can go a long way towards keeping customers on site, and seducing them into falling in love with your company.

3. Fall in love with Google

Search engine optimisation, or SEO, is the way to woo Google. It's not just three little words, but keywords which will win Google's heart and make you the apple of its eye at the number one spot. Make sure your content has all the right lines and you have an irresistible lure for links.

4. Make yourself available, anywhere

Don't just give out your phone number to potential admirers - make sure your website works on their mobile. Mobile optimisation is becoming increasingly important - one in every five retail searches is done on a mobile or tablet such as an iPad. Google recently revealed that there was a quadrupling in the number of mobile searches in 2011.

5. Be a social butterfly, advertise your assets

Using social media is a proven way to increase your business' visibility on the web and ultimately, increase leads. There are many different social networks, and being on them is fast becoming an important element in any marketing strategy. Consider which you use carefully, and commit to using them to communicate with all your fans, friends and lovers.