Building a website is one of the most crucial steps in getting your business’s online presence off the ground. For new entrepreneurs, it can be an exciting but very daunting task – and to be honest, also a bit of a minefield to navigate. To help you find your way through this process and actually end up with a website that does what you want it to, here are some can’t-live-without tips that’ll put you on the right path to creating a successful website.
Work Out What You Want Your Website to Do
Before you start designing and creating content, take a step back and figure out what you actually want your website to do. Are you looking to sell products or services, or do you want it to be a place where people can come to learn more about what you do? And then, there’s your target audience – who are they? What are their needs, and how can your website cater to those? If you do this, it’ll help you build a website that really speaks to the people who are likely to be interested in what you’re offering.
Choose a Brilliant Domain Name
Your domain name is the face of your website – it’s what people will remember and use to find you on the web. So pick one that’s easy to spell, remember, and gets the message across about what your business is about. Try and avoid using numbers and hyphens (they’re just a pain), and go for a .com extension if that’s an option – it’s the most well-known and most credible. And while you’re at it, make sure its got some relevant keywords in there – it’ll help your website show up in search results.
Get a Reliable Web Host
Your website’s performance is going to be directly affected by the hosting service you choose, so don’t skimp on this bit. Look for a host that’s fast, has some serious security measures in place, and has some decent customer support. And think about what kind of hosting you need – are you going to need some space to yourself, or can you get away with a shared hosting plan? Do some research and choose wisely.
Make Your Website Work on Mobile
We all know that most people are now using their mobiles to browse the web, so getting your website to work properly on mobile is no longer a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have. A responsive design will make sure your site looks great on all devices, big and small, and that’s just the start. Google also gives a big thumbs up to websites that are designed to be mobile-friendly, so that’s a good reason to get this one right too.
Make Your Website Easy to Use
A website that’s a joy to use is crucial if you want to keep visitors hanging around and actually doing what you want them to do (like buying from you, or signing up for your newsletter). So make sure your site is easy to navigate, with clear menus, simple language, and information that’s easy to find. And don’t go overboard with all the bells and whistles – you want to keep things simple, not overwhelmed.
Get Your Search Rankings Sorted
If you want people to find your website when they’re searching for what you do (and let’s be honest, you do want this), then SEO is a must. First job is to do some keyword research, finding out what terms people are actually searching for. Then you can get those keywords on your content, meta tags, and headings in a natural way – it’s not about stuffing in a bunch of keywords and hoping for the best. Make sure your site’s technically up to speed too – fast load times, secure connections, and all that jazz.
Create Content That Actually Matters
Quality content is what’s going to set your website apart from all the others. Write stuff that’s genuinely useful and interesting, that speaks to your audience’s needs and interests. Don’t just churn out drivel, though – make sure your content is informative, engaging, and valuable. Regularly update your blog, add new pages, and get creative – use videos, infographics and all the other multimedia tools in your armoury to make your website stand out.
Keep Your Website Secure
Security is top of the list for any website, especially if you’re handling sensitive stuff like customer info. Get an SSL certificate to lock your site down, use decent passwords, and make sure you keep all your software and plugins up to date – don’t leave yourself open to attacks and breaches.
Use Analytics and Testing to Get Better
Tools like Google Analytics are your friend, letting you see how your website is doing – what’s working, what’s not, and where you need to make changes. Keep an eye on your traffic, your bounce rates, and your conversion rates, and use that to make improvements all the time. And don’t forget A/B testing – try out different versions of your website, and see what works and what doesn’t.
Plan for Growth
Lastly, make sure your website is set up to grow with your business. Choose a flexible platform that lets you add new features and pages easily – you never know when you’ll need to scale up, and you want your website to be able to keep up.