We all know having a website is not just a luxury, but a necessity. Yet, not all websites are created equal. Building a great website requires careful planning and a solid foundation. Just as a house needs a strong base to stand the test of time, your website requires foundational elements to ensure it’s effective, user-friendly, and serves its purpose. Here’s a step-by-step guide to laying down the foundations for an outstanding website.
1. Define Your Purpose: This might seem obvious, but before diving into design or content, define what the primary purpose of your website is. Is it to inform, to sell, to entertain, or to engage? A clear purpose will guide all subsequent decisions, from design to content. All sites should have some kind of overarching transactional goal. (Like on this site? We want you to contact us to be your digital marketing partner. Which you can do here. But I digress…)
2. Know Your Audience: Understand who your target audience is. This includes demographic information, preferences, online behavior, and pain points. Tailoring your website design and copy to your audience ensures it resonates with them and meets their needs.
3. Plan Your Content: Content is the backbone of your website. Begin with a content audit, outlining what information is crucial, especially if you have an existing site that needs paring down or beefing up. Essential pages may be Home, About, Services, Testimonials, Meet the Team, Pricing, Contact, etc. Are you creating an ecommerce site? If so, you’ll want to think about your product categorization and key product page details, as well.
4. User-Friendly Design: People should navigate your website easily. A clean, intuitive design ensures users can find what they’re looking for. This means having a clear hierarchy, accessible menus, and a logical flow between pages.
5. Mobile Responsiveness: Probably half — or more — of your audience will be accessing your website via a mobile device. So it goes without saying that you should be thinking about mobile features that are essential for your project. Your site should look and function well on tablets, smartphones, and desktops alike.
6. Loading Speed: A slow website can turn away users and harm your search engine rankings. Optimize images, use caching solutions, and consider a content delivery network (CDN) to boost your site’s speed. If you’re on WordPress, be sure to find a WordPress-specific hosting partner. We love Kinsta.
7. Search Engine Optimization (SEO): A great website is of little use if nobody can find it. Implement on-page SEO practices like optimizing meta titles, descriptions, and using relevant keywords. Also, consider technical SEO elements like site structure and URL optimization.
8. Engage with Multimedia: Images, videos, infographics, and other multimedia elements can enhance user engagement. They can break up text, illustrate points, and provide a richer user experience. However, ensure that they’re optimized to not slow down your site.
9. Implement Calls to Action (CTAs): What action do you want users to take once they’re on your site? Whether it’s making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or filling out a contact form, clear and compelling CTAs guide users in the desired direction. This is really the most important point of your website, and should be discussed with your developer when you kickoff your project.
10. Safety and Security: Protecting your website and its users is paramount. Ensure you have an SSL certificate (making your website HTTPS), regular backups, and security measures to guard against hacks and breaches.
11. Test, Refine, Repeat: Once your website is live, the work isn’t over. Regularly test different elements like CTAs, images, or page layouts to see what resonates most with users. Use tools like Google Analytics, Hot Jar, or Lucky Orange to monitor site performance and make informed decisions.
12. Feedback is Gold: Encourage feedback from users. They can provide invaluable insights into potential pain points or areas of confusion on your website. This continuous feedback loop will allow for adjustments and improvements. There are tons of tools to implement to request feedback from your users.
13. Regular Updates: A website isn’t a one-and-done deal. Regularly update your content to keep it fresh and relevant. This not only engages repeat visitors but can also improve SEO rankings.
14. Backup Regularly: The importance of regular backups can’t be overstated. Whether it’s due to technical glitches, hacks, or other unforeseen issues, having recent backups can save immense time and stress.
15. Continuous Learning: The digital landscape is ever-evolving. Stay updated with the latest design trends, SEO best practices, and user behavior insights. Being adaptable and ready to evolve ensures your website remains effective and relevant.
While the digital realm is dynamic and what’s trendy today might be obsolete tomorrow, the foundational principles of building a website remain consistent. By following this step-by-step guide, you ensure your website not only looks good but performs excellently, meeting both business objectives and user needs. Remember, a great website is an ongoing project, always ready to adapt, evolve, and grow.
