Running a business in Alaska comes with its own set of challenges – and your website should help, not hurt. Whether you’re based in Anchorage, Fairbanks, or a remote community, your site needs to load quickly, work well on phones, and help people find what they need fast. Here are ten smart, practical tips to make sure your website is working as hard as you do.
1. Keep Your Website Fast
Slow websites turn visitors away, especially in areas where fast internet is not available (a common issue in Alaska).
- Avoid things like slideshows, animations, or large photo galleries – they look nice, but they slow things down.
- Use compressed images with small file sizes.
- Choose a good hosting company that keeps your site running smoothly.
- Test your website speed every few months and fix anything that’s dragging it down.
Use free tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to check your site’s performance.
2. Make Sure It Works on Phones
Most people are looking at websites on their phones – especially tourists and younger Alaskans.
- Make sure everything looks good on small screens.
- Menus should be easy to tap, and text should be big enough to read.
- Don’t use popups or banners that cover the whole screen – they frustrate people and make them leave.
3. Help You Site Get Found in Search Engines
When someone types “auto repair in Fairbanks” or “best pizza in Juneau” into Google, you want your site to show up.
- Use simple common phrases that people might use in their search (like your town name and what you do).
- Add your business to Google Maps and keep your info up to date.
- Keep your business name, address, and phone number the same everywhere you list it online.
If you’re not sure where to begin, check out our Alaska SEO services.
4. Create Content that Matters to Your Visitors
People in Alaska (and visiting Alaska) want information they can actually use.
- Share tips or stories that apply to your area – like what to wear on a tour, how to diagnose frozen pipes, or where to see wildlife near your lodge.
- Add a FAQ section with common questions you hear from customers.
- Create helpful guides about your service – things people can refer back to again and again.
5. Make the Website Easy to Use
If someone can’t find what they need on your website in a few seconds, they’ll probably give up.
- Keep your menu simple, consistent, and easy to understand.
- Use clear buttons for actions like “Call Now” or “Get a Quote.”
- Remove clutter – if it’s not useful, get rid of it.
6. Keep It Secure – Get an SSL Certificate
Customers need to feel safe giving you their information and Google.
- Make sure your website shows the little padlock in the address bar (this means it has an SSL certificate and it’s secure).
- Keep the website software updated to protect from hacks. And back it up daily.
- If you collect names, emails, or payments, be clear about how you handle that data.
7. Make Sure Everyone Can Use It
Not everyone uses websites the same way – some people rely on screen readers, keyboards, or just need clearer contrast.
- Add text descriptions to your images. (This is called Alt Text).
- Use easy-to-read fonts and high contrast between text and background.
- Give the design room to breathe. Don’t cram content, images and buttons too close.
8. Keep the Content Up to Date
Old or broken websites lose trust fast.
- Check for broken links, missing images, or outdated info regularly.
- Keep your hours and contact details current.
- Add new products, and promotions as soon as you offer them.
9. Track Website Usage to Make Better Decisions
You don’t need to be a tech expert to learn from your website.
- Use tools like Google Analytics to see what pages people visit the most.
- Research the statistics to discover what’s working – and fix what’s not.
- Learn what search terms people are using to find you and how well you rank for them.
10. Show Off Your Reviews and Testimonials
Word of mouth is powerful – this helps build trust, authority and rankings.
- Ask happy customers to leave reviews on Google.
- Show a few testimonials right on your website.
- If you’re part of a local chamber, have awards, or badges – put those on your site too.
Final Thoughts
Your website doesn’t need to be fancy – it just needs to be fast, useful, and easy to use. Whether you’re in Sitka or Soldotna, customers are looking online before they walk through your door. Make sure your website is ready to greet them.
Looking to get more traffic, rank higher on Google, and keep people on your site longer? Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up your existing website, these 10 strategies will help you boost your visibility, improve user experience, and drive more results.
Need Alaska website design? Contact us for a free consultation. We’re here to help you make your website work better for you.