What makes a GOOD recruitment website?

There are over one billion websites worldwide (source:www.internetlivestats.com) and showcasing your company online is a straightforward process but getting it “right” is not always as simple.

Not every company has success with their website but if you include the following key elements it will put you on the right track to creating an engaging and effective website, attracting more visitors and generating more sales. It is important for recruitment websites to attract and retain potential candidates and clients alike.

1: FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT: A successful website will have a strong and clear message on the home page which can easily be understood. Think about your company’s “purpose” and make sure this can be interpreted on the first view of the website. The home page needs to contain key words relevant to your business and this will help direct visitors to your page.

 2: EASY NAVIGATION: A website needs to be “user-friendly”. It should be simple, quick and easy to use, if your visitors have to spend too much time searching they will lose interest and leave. Organise the relevant sections of the website in an uncomplicated and structured way. Make sure the tab for vacancies stands out on the page and the positions you are recruiting for are presented clearly, will all the additional information a potential candidate will need to know. Also consider the ease of applying for a position, again keep the process straightforward and simple. It is important to create a good user experience for your visitors.

 3: VIDEOS: Visitors to the website will engage more with visuals and a company video gives real insight to your organisation. If you want to use video make sure it has been produced by a professional company as this gives a better impression of your company, the same for any photographs used. Remember that videos need to be loaded quickly, a slow download could result in loss of interest. 

 4: MOBILE FRIENDLY:  Consider where your website is being viewed.  A successful website needs to be mobile friendly. According to a recent survey by www.beyond.com 77% of job seekers use their mobile phones to look for jobs.  If you have a great website but it is not mobile friendly you are undermining the productiveness of your site.

 5: REFLECT YOUR EMPLOYER BRAND:  Use the opportunity to show your employer brand. Your website can establish who you are and what you do. Website content like blogs and Whitepapers help promote your employer brand but it is important to ensure content is up to date and relevant to your visitors.

 6: SOCIAL CONTENT: List all of your social media sites on your website. It is another way in which people can engage with your organisation and social media offers free traffic to the website, giving you more exposure. Social media sites like LinkedIn, YouTube and Glassdoor will also help to portray your employer brand.

 7: VISUALS AND DESIGN:  A successful website will be visually appealing to the visitor and as discussed, easy to navigate. An attractive website and the use of visuals and infographics is more engaging to your visitors. It is worth investing in a web designer to work out what style best fits your organisation’s personality.

 8: EVOLVE: If something is not working on your website then change it. Make sure you look at the analytics, if 80% of people are not moving past your home page then something is not working. Websites need constant monitoring, it is not just a case of creating the site and then leaving it to do its job. “Growth-driven design” is a term to become familiar with – it is a combination of re-design and marketing, learning what is successful and what needs improvement. Websites need to be regularly updated with new content and make sure you do your housekeeping and remove any vacancies which have been filled or are out of date. Remember your website is a reflection of how you do business.

What do you think makes a GOOD recruitment website? Have you got any examples to share?

For further information please contact Joanne Lea on: joanne.lea@bps-world.com