When anyone lands on a website for the first time or is visiting a website to find information, one of the first things they will look for is either a search box, where they can enter a search query as they do in Google or for a ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ page (FAQ).
Of the two, a search box might be more accessible, as often all it requires is a plugin or app to be added to the website. Also, consider that an FAQ page needs the questions to be established and the answers determined, plus they all need to be written and published. However, that extra effort in creating an FAQ page and adding it to your web design can generate several advantages for your website and its performance. Listed below are ten of them.
People Appreciate Quick Answers To Their Questions: The most obvious advantage of getting your web designers to add an FAQ page is that it gives visitors to your website quick answers to the questions they want to be answered. It could be one of those answers is that takes them to the next stage of your sales process.
Conversions Are Increased: If they have answers and it moves them closer to a purchase, ultimately, you will find that conversions on your website increase. Even if you do not have an eCommerce site where sales happen directly, it should mean that more visitors follow the calls to action that are on your website.
Boosts Trust In Your Business: If you are prepared to answer as many questions as possible on your FAQ page including those which the answer might not always seem positive, then that honesty bodes well for visitors having a greater level of trust in your business than before.
The User’s Experience Is Enhanced: User experience is the current buzzword in web design and SEO and that is likely to continue for as long as Google places so much emphasis on it when determining rankings. An FAQ page will certainly improve the experience anyone has on your website.
It Can Boost Your SEO: As well as being a way to increase the time a user will spend on your website, FAQs can also be regarded as content and if you write it with keywords included effectively, it can boost your website’s relevance in the eyes of Google, thus boosting your rankings.
It Will Compliment A Search Function: A search function and FAQ page are not an either/or decision. In fact, it makes the experience for your visitors even greater if you have both an FAQ page and a search function, making it even easier for users to find answers and information on your website.
It Can Be Expanded And Become A Key Source of Information: Your FAQ page may not start out as comprehensive, but if you commit to expanding it by adding additional questions as they arise and new information as it becomes relevant, your FAQ page will soon come to be regarded as an important resource.
It Reduces Customer Service Emails And Calls: One of the biggest advantages of an FAQ page is that instead of having to commit time to answer questions via emails, your FAQ page can take on that role. That is not to say an FAQ should mean you abandon customer service altogether, but it does help free up resources.
Adds Authority Due To The Knowledge Shown: As you add more and more answers and content to your FAQ page, those who land on it will come to regard you and your website as an authority within the niche or market sector you are in, especially compared to websites without an FAQ page.
Answers Can Be Used To Supplement Other Content: All the questions and answers which you create in your FAQ can be utilized as content either on your website or elsewhere. Examples include making videos for YouTube using your FAQs, or creating a downloadable pdf containing all the questions and answers.