To make a website stand out, it is important to understand what makes a website great. There are many elements that go into designing and developing a website, so it is helpful to focus on the most important ones. With the correct elements, you can create a website that truly stands out from the competition. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most important ways to make an eye-catching and functional website. Keep reading to learn more!
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Content
The main reason users are visiting your website is, say it with me, your content. In the media space, content is king, meaning it is also the most important part of how you design your website. The content on your website also affects how well it performs with search engine optimization because search engines learn about your website through its content. Having quality content is also what attracts the right audience to your site, further engaging them to interact with it. If your target demographic does not find the content on your site purposeful, then they are not likely to remain on the site or convert into a customer. The more valuable the content on your website, the more likely users are to share it, increasing traffic and SEO.
Usability and UX
Seamless usability will rarely be noticed by your users, however, bad usability will stand out instantly. When people visit your website, they want to be met with something that is easy to navigate, or else they will leave your site and find one that is. Good usability pertains to being easy to navigate, intuitive, accessible, and mobile-friendly.
Your website should be intuitive enough to anticipate what the user is thinking and help them fulfill their needs with little effort. It should also take little effort for visitors to know where they are on the site and where they want to go next. Each page should be accessible without having to sort through the entire website, as well as easily used by those with any type of disability. If you want to learn more about why this matters, check out our article on Why Digital Accessibility is Important. Having your website optimized for mobile devices is just as important as for desktops. Navigation on mobile devices looks different than on desktops but should be just as user-friendly and easy to use if you want to reach the most users possible.
Aesthetics
We live in a time of short attention spans and instant gratification. This means your website needs to look just as good as it functions. Good websites reflect who you are as a business by visually connecting with the user. Having a visually pleasing website across any device will help grow and maintain a brand image. Aspects like font, colors, and imagery should be consistent across all channels such as social media, logos, and websites. This gives your brand more credibility and helps potential customers be able to identify you.
Visibility
Visually pleasing websites that function properly can only get you so far. All of your efforts to create a great website will be in vain if the website cannot be found. Digital marketing strategies such as SEO, social media, and email marketing are all vital to making your website a success. Knowing which platforms to market on, and who you are marketing to, are all ways to ensure traffic goes to your website.
Interaction
An interactive website is what makes the user experience more meaningful. Each positive interaction with your website makes the user become more invested in your brand. Examples of interactive elements include:
- Videos to play
- Forms to fill out
- Locations to fill out, personalizing your experience
- Searching
- Commenting
- Sharing
Interactive website designs encourage users to engage more, leading to them spending more time on the site. The more familiar a user is with your website, the more likely they are to convert into a customer eventually. The interactions of your website visitors can also be measured by analyzing data. According to Salesforce, 66 percent of customers expect companies to understand their needs and expectations and 80 percent consider the experience provided by a company to be just as important as its products or services. Analyzing the data from interaction with your website allows you to personalize your visitor’s experience by further understanding their wants and needs.
Your website is your digital home base and the first impression for potential customers – make sure it counts! Following the tips in this blog post will improve your website’s functionality and success. All of these factors play a role in how users perceive and interact with your website. Keep them in mind as you work to create a website that visitors will love.
If you need help making your site the best it can be, we’re here for you. Our team at Renegades Media offers web design, development, and SEO services to get your website ready to attract customers.
