Ramadan is a significant event in the Islamic calendar, observed by over 1 billion Muslims worldwide. With the increasing reliance on the internet for information, resources, and inspiration, it’s essential for businesses and organisations with an online presence to have a Ramadan-ready website.
In fact, according to a recent study by Google, during Ramadan, there is a 50% increase in searches related to food and recipes, a 25% increase in searches related to travel, and a 20% increase in searches related to e-commerce in the Middle East and North Africa region alone.
Additionally, mobile devices play a crucial role in the Ramadan shopping experience. According to recent data, mobile devices account for a whopping 82% of purchases made during Ramadan, and mobile conversions increase by up to 20% compared to the rest of the year. These significant statistics suggest that businesses must prioritise mobile optimisation and develop strategies that align with contemporary trends such as omnichannel commerce.
By doing so, businesses can create the best possible shopping experience for customers, maximising sales and exposure, and increasing customer engagement during Ramadan.
We’ve asked our experts and pulled together some key tips to make your website accessible, inclusive, and technically optimised for audiences that observe the holy month of Ramadan.
Optimizing website performance
Slow sites = high bounce rates. And with so many sites battling for customers’ attention during Ramadan, buyers are less patient than ever, expecting sites to load immediately.
According to Google, sites that load between 1-3 seconds have the lowest bounce rates at around 32%. However, this skyrockets to 90% between 1-5 seconds and keeps climbing per second. Yet the average time it takes to load a webpage fully is 10.3 seconds on desktop and 27.3 seconds on mobile. (Backlinko)
Brands can beat out their competition just by optimising their website load speed and providing a good user experience. Use Google Lighthouse to find out your current loading time, and speak to our experts if you need to improve your score.
Implementing internationalization features for multi-language support
Localisation can increase search traffic by 47%, boost website visits by 70%, and increase conversion rates by 20%.
Whilst English is the second language of some Muslims, many have limited English proficiency and will find it difficult to understand sites that aren’t translated. Frustrations like these cause customers to choose competitors, potentially costing you thousands.
Assessing the native tongue of your target audience will indicate in which languages your site should be available, particularly if you are operating globally. Additionally, having a composable architecture will allow you to set up smaller localised sites connected to your main site without having to duplicate content in many languages.
Ensuring compatibility with devices commonly used during Ramadan (e.g. mobile phones)
Over 50% of online shopping is now completed on mobile devices, so if your device isn’t compatible, you’re guaranteed to be leaving money on the table.
Mobile friendliness is an expectation for shoppers and is paramount for a good user experience. Sites should allow customers to easily navigate, read content, and access information. Without this, visitors stop engaging and leave the site.
User experience isn’t the only factor improved by a mobile-friendly site. Google and other search engines prioritise mobile-friendly sites in their search results. Without a responsive site, your brand is missing out on a significant amount of internet traffic.
Providing simple and clear navigation to encourage purchases
The optimal user experience leads customers to purchase in four clicks or less. During Ramadan, ensure your website’s navigation is clear, simple, and easy to use, removing any potential friction shoppers could encounter when searching your site.
Using breadcrumbs to indicate where users are on the site and having a clear hierarchy of pages and information are both fantastic ways to enhance navigation. Invest in a robust search feature so customers can quickly find the products they need and be offered recommendations for other similar products.
Serve a simplified user interface
Your user interface should be simple to use and easy to navigate. Think simple, clean layouts, which allow users to find what they need with minimal effort.
One way to accomplish this is to categorise your products or services, making it easier for customers to find what they’re looking for. For example, if you’re selling sports equipment on your site, you could organise your products by capacity, type of equipment, or even occasion (for example, home workout equipment for the Ramadan health kick).
Your website should be accessible and inclusive to all users, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. This includes using clear and easy-to-read fonts, contrasting text and background colours, and incorporating features like screen readers and keyboard navigation.
You can create a positive user experience by providing an optimised user interface that encourages customers to stay on your website, explore your offerings, and make a purchase.
Targeting key search terms around Ramadan
During Ramadan, competition for traffic is fierce, so think about which keywords your audience is searching for so you have a better chance of showing up at the top of the search engine.
This can be accomplished by conducting keyword research using Keywordtool.io to identify popular Ramadan search terms used by your target audience.
You can then build content around these search terms and incorporate these into your website’s meta descriptions, headers, and page titles to increase your chance of ranking highly in search engines.
Addressing potential security concerns during increased online traffic
Ramadan’s increased online traffic can also increase the risk of cyber attacks and security breaches. It is critical to take precautions to secure your website and safeguard your customers’ personal and financial information.
To address potential security issues, make sure your website’s software and plugins are up to date, use secure payment gateways, and implement strong password policies. Educating your customers about online security and the importance of creating strong passwords can also help reduce the risk of security breaches.
Ensuring that your website is secure with appropriate SSL certificates, firewalls, and other security measures can also help inspire trust in customers and confidence in your customers, especially at a time when online security is critical.
Some simple checks you can make:
- Menu navigation
- Ramadan Tailored Products
- Simplify User interface
- Load Time
- Mobile Friendliness
- Multilingual support
- Search Feature
- Accessibility
- Search Engine Optimisation
Next steps
Our aim is to help brands create a website that provides an exceptional user experience and meets the needs of its customers all throughout the year and on special occasions where increased traffic is expected.
And we’re here to help you. Nemetos Tanasuk understands that successful enterprises are always looking for incremental improvements that get your business where you want it to go. We can help you find those gains giving you a roadmap for change and an accurate model for growth.
Solving this needs a consultative edge, with a fast and flexible approach that is delivered at the speed of business. Sounds like what you need to unlock commercial growth? Together we’ll find the improvements you need to serve your customers better. Speak to one of our experts.
We’re set for the journey, are you?
