Many of us probably got our start in web design when we were editing the HTML on our MySpace themes. Flashing backgrounds, script fonts everywhere… those were truly peak design choices back then. Now? Well, web design has come a long way from that. Websites are absolutely essential for modern day business. But what’s the difference between “good” vs. “bad” websites, and how does your website stack up? Let’s talk about what makes or breaks a website and the non-negotiables that your business’ website should include:
Design: User-Friendly and Clean
Good Websites: Design isn’t just fun colors, pretty pictures or cool animations. Successful websites adopt a design that isn’t outdated, doesn’t include too many colors or fonts, and has a cleaner look. Balancing the image to text ratio is also a major difference between good vs. bad websites. Good websites include a healthy mix of imagery to compliment the information in the text.
It’s imperative to implement a design strategy that encompasses user experience plus aesthetics. Ensuring an easy user experience (UX) throughout the website by including an easy-to-use navigation with buttons and links that take users exactly where they need to go is how you can accomplish this. We bet a fair few of you are reading this blog on your phone, right? Let’s not forget that mobile-friendly design and experience is also essential for a website’s success and eliminates user frustration. Most users come from their mobile device or interact with websites in the mobile setting. Ensuring what their experience is handheld is super important.
Having a strategy or clear objective for what your website should be doing for your business is also what makes a good vs. bad website. This includes having clear call-to-actions throughout the site that make it easy for a user to contact or take the action to meet the objective you decided on is best for your business. For example, your objective is to use your website as a source for phone calls where customers can call to inquire about your product or service. The call to action could look like a “Call Us” button or “Request More Info” form placed in a major traffic area on the website.
Bad Websites: Have you ever gone to a website and felt lost? It shouldn’t take you more than a few seconds to understand the navigation. Websites that don’t stack up design-wise usually only focus on what the website looks like and rather than how it interacts with its users. Navigation bars are disorganized and not clear on what information is available, there are more pictures than content, and mobile UX is severely lacking. Just because a website is aesthetically pleasing, doesn’t mean it works!
Optimization: Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Good Websites: Do you know the best place to hide something you don’t want anyone to find? On the second page of Google! Most online experiences begin with a search engine like Google, Yahoo!, or Bing. Including SEO as part of your website strategy so the people that are looking for you can find you from anywhere sets you up for success. SEO efforts are usually implemented through the backend of a website.
A good SEO strategy for good vs. bad websites can include snippet adjustments, slug optimization, a stellar keyword strategy, and curating webpage content to meet search engine requirements. These requirements help your website rank above your competition in the search results. The main goal for SEO: appearing on the first page of a search result.
Bad Websites: Yup, you’ve ended up in The Forgotten Zone Beyond The First Page of Google. If you are not utilizing SEO practices, you have a bad website. In addition, if the content from your website hasn’t been updated in a while and doesn’t continue to be updated often, your website is destined to appear in the last pages of a search engine query—not a good place to be. If a website is live but no one can find it, does it even exist?
Let Us Help!
Your website should be a captivating, awe-inspiring, and a lead-generating machine. If it’s not, either your website isn’t awesome, or no one can find it. Or both.
Let the marketing geniuses at Celsius Marketing | Interactive design and develop a website to engage, inspire or convert. And we’ll also help you with organic and paid search optimization strategies, reporting and more! Let us take the burden off you and help you get real results. Let’s talk.
