What’s up, website warriors? Ready to take your online game to the next level? Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, these top ten tips will help you create a website that’s not only functional but also fun, engaging, and effective. So let’s dive in!
- Get Mobile-Friendly
Listen up, mobile mavens: over a third of North Americans do all their shopping on their phones, and people spend over five hours on their devices every day. That means your website has got to be mobile-friendly, or you risk losing customers to your competitors. And not only that, but a negative mobile user experience can also hurt your website’s search engine ranking, making it harder for people to find you on Google. So don’t let your website get left in the dust – make it mobile responsive ASAP.
- Mind Your Domain
Your domain name is like your website’s address – it’s how people find you online. So make sure it matches your business or describes what you do. And if you really want to drive traffic to your site, consider incorporating technical SEO best practices, doing keyword research, launching content marketing campaigns, and even investing in some paid advertising.
- Don’t Hide Your Contact Info
If your business relies on customers being able to contact you, don’t make them hunt for your phone number or address. Put your contact information above the fold, where it’s easy to find. And while you’re at it, consider adding a chatbot or live chat feature to make it even easier for customers to get in touch.
- Keep It Simple, Silly
Nobody likes a cluttered website. Keep your pages uncluttered by using a good balance of text and graphics that presents a clean page. And if a social widget or other feature doesn’t support the purpose of the page, ditch it. Trust us, your users will thank you.
- Navigate Like A Pro
Make your site easy to navigate by limiting your top-level navigation menu to five tabs, with related pages organized underneath. Put your navigation menu at the top of the page and offer a clear way to get back to the homepage. And if you really want to take it to the next level, consider adding a search bar to make it even easier for users to find what they’re looking for.
- Proofread, Proofread, Proofread
Nothing kills credibility like a typo or a grammatical error. So make sure your website is accurate by proofreading every page before it goes live, and periodically checking each page, especially after making updates elsewhere. And if writing isn’t your strong suit, consider hiring a copywriter to give your website that extra polish.
- Speed Matters
Nearly 70% of online shoppers say the time it takes to load a web page affects their purchase decisions. Yikes. So keep your site running smoothly by optimizing videos and images for quick downloads, keeping software up to date, and choosing a website host that can handle your bandwidth demands. Trust us, your users will thank you.
- Call To Action
Each page should have a call to action. Encourage users to take a specific action, whether it’s signing up for a service, downloading a white paper, or buying a product. And make sure you give them a noticeable invitation to take that action, such as a button or link. Don’t be shy – tell your users what you want them to do.
- Keep It Stylishly Simple
When it comes to design, less is often more. Limit the use of fonts, colours, and GIFs, which can distract from the focus of the page. Use short paragraphs and bullet points to make information scannable. And if you really want to make a statement, consider adding some custom illustrations or photography. Use short paragraphs and bullet points to make information scannable, and keep the colour scheme consistent throughout your site. Remember, less is more.
- Finally, get personal
Your website is your online storefront, so make sure it reflects your brand image. Your About Us page shouldn’t be a dry block of text; include a good story to engage visitors and help them connect with your brand.
Don’t be afraid to inject some personality into your site, whether it’s through your copy, imagery, or design. People buy from people, so let your brand’s unique voice shine through.
In conclusion, there are many ways to create a website that stands out and engages your audience. By following these ten tips, you’ll be well on your way to building a site that’s mobile-friendly, easy to navigate, and effective in achieving your business goals. Remember, your website is often the first impression potential customers will have of your brand, so make it count!
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About the Author
Tina Kempling, the Lean Green Team Leader at Imagine That with over 35 years of experience in the print industry, newspaper and magazine advertising.
As an industry-certified designer since 1991, Tina knows her stuff when it comes to marketing vision. But what sets her apart is her understanding of advertising and marketing in today’s digital and print market. She can help companies tap into the incredible marketing power in new and creative ways. Ready to take your marketing game to the next level? Give Tina a shout!