Most brands realise the importance of having a company website. But to get the results you are looking for, there are certain design features to keep in mind. This article is here to help with that process by outlining some of the most important.
Choose a simple and memorable domain name
Before you even think about the design elements of your site, it’s crucial to choose the right domain name. There are several things to keep in mind during this process. Remember when it comes to online business, keywords are crucial.
So, if you can get one or more into your domain name this will give you a head start on search engine optimisation (SEO). You also want to keep your name simple and memorable as well as being sure it’s closely related to your business name. Think about it like this, how easily would someone remember your domain name if you only mentioned it in passing? Finally, be careful with your use of an unusual suffix, it may sound different, but could it lead to difficulty in finding your site?
Use a straightforward template or theme
Assuming you are not an expert website developer yourself, you will probably want to use a third-party application when designing your site. This will mean choosing a template or theme to work with. It’s tempting to select the one with the most elaborate design, and this is a mistake that a lot of brands end up making.
It’s true that you want your site to be modern and slick, but too many templates include multiple elements that could make your site hard to navigate. So, instead of being too focused on those fancy graphics, concentrate on creating the best content. You always have the option to change the template or theme at a later date.
Ensure your site displays correctly on all devices
It’s crucial to remember that users access websites on a variety of devices and your online business may suffer if you aren’t prepared for that. This means you want to test your site on PC, mobile and tablet. When testing, always review your site from the perspective of a customer or client.
Most web design applications do optimise for different devices. So, hopefully, you won’t find anything to be amiss. But sometimes small tweaks are needed to ensure images are clear and text is easy to read. It’s well worth going through this process, rather than running the risk of losing potential business due to errors that could be easy to fix.
Place social media links and contact information at the top of your pages
It feels a tad basic to mention this but it’s a mistake that brands continue to make. Contact information and social media links are often buried at the bottom of the page. Users have to scroll right down to find them. You can imagine if pages have auto scroll this could take some time.
Simply put, it’s a strange strategy if you want to encourage engagement. It’s no secret that the businesses that are easiest to contact are often the most successful. Remember also to give users options, so many brands only provide a contact form which can be limiting. Instead, offer a contact form, email address, and phone number if possible.
Keep it updated
Again, it seems basic but a website is not something you create once and never edit. When someone visits your site, they are usually doing so to find out more about your business. This means they want the most up-to-date information available. So, remember to edit your pages as things change, such as adjustments to the people that work for you, or the type of business you currently do.
Remember a company blog is an ideal place to keep visitors updated with the latest developments. Sadly, many brands don’t update their blog often enough and may even abandon it completely. Keep in mind that the attention to detail you demonstrate on your website says a lot about your business. Simply put, you want to take this opportunity to make the best impressions. So, ensure you are conducting regular audits of your site for quality control purposes.
Clearly, when it comes to online business your website is arguably the most important element. However, this isn’t something you should put together in a rush because design flaws could be hugely damaging to your business. In contrast, getting things right here could give you a head start on your competition.
The tips outlined in this article are not about complicated design features. Instead, this is all about getting the basics right. Therefore, remember to choose a simple and memorable domain name, use a straightforward template, ensure your site displays correctly on all devices, and keep your site updated.