Is Your Website Good Enough?

There is no denying that practically everybody who is anybody is online flaunting their websites, including your competitors! 

So the real question here is, is your website good enough? The reality is that if your website is not better than your competitor’s, then it simply is NOT good enough.

In the wise words of Larry Page (the co-founder of Google), “Your competition is one click away.” Now, that is truly something to ponder about. 

But what makes a site unique, and what makes a website great? Let’s have a quick look.

What Is A Website Supposed To Do?

A website is supposed to inform visitors on your site who you are and what you do. It is also there to help establish your credibility as a brand or business. 

That is not all, a website is supposed to make a great first impression, showcase your brand/services/products to your prospective customers, and, most importantly, a website is supposed to drive sales.

Whether those sales are in the form of an online purchase (e-commerce) or someone booking a consultation (clinic), a website must be designed in such a way as to guide site visitors to take action.

What Do You Want To Achieve?

What do you want to achieve with your website? Do you want more sales? More leads? More readers? 

What action do you want your visitors to take before leaving your site? It is vital to know exactly what you want your website to do and curate its user journey toward reaching that goal. 

Otherwise, your website will just become another website gathering dust.

So, What Makes A Great Website?

1. User-Centric Design

At the heart of every great website lies a user-centric design. This involves understanding the needs, preferences, and behaviours of your dream client/target audience and tailoring your website accordingly. 

A user-centric design ensures intuitive navigation, a clear layout, and easy access to information. Every aspect of your website’s design should revolve around enhancing the experience of your site visitors. 

Why? Because, again, you want them to take action. And for them to take action, they need to be on your site. If your site is difficult to use or navigate, they will leave without thinking twice about it.

2. Compelling Visuals

Compelling visuals, in a way, also tie into that user-centric approach mentioned above. If you are selling luxury goods and your website looks cheap, it will not appeal to your dream client. If you are selling insurance, but your website does not look safe to use, it will not appeal to your target audience. 

In a nutshell, the visual appeal of your website is a crucial component when it comes to capturing your site visitors’ attention and conveying your brand’s personality. 

Remember, we shop with our eyes, and there is a reason people say not to judge a book by its cover: because what do we as humans do? We love judging books by their covers! 

So, ensuring your website has high-quality images, captivating graphics, and visually appealing typography can significantly enhance its overall look and feel. 

Of course, there needs to be a balance between aesthetics and functionality. Always double-check that your visuals complement your content rather than overshadowing it. 

Similarly, consistency is key. Stick to your brand guide (i.e. your colour schemes and imagery) throughout your website, as it fosters brand recognition and reinforces your website’s identity.

3. Relevant/Engaging Content

Content is king, and a great website delivers relevant, engaging, and valuable content to its audience. However, it is not only about creating new content but about updating older content too. Regularly updating your content keeps your website fresh, relevant, and up-to-date. It encourages your visitors to return for more.

Not to mention, by adding and updating your content, you are improving your search engine rankings, building brand authority, stimulating user interaction, and driving conversions. Ultimately, your content forms the foundation of any successful digital strategy you have in place, and ensures your website not only meets but exceeds the expectations of your audience.

4. Seamless Navigation

Navigating your website should be effortless. Full stop.

Your website should always be easy to use, and the information your visitors want should always be easy to find. For example, name the tab linking to your blog “BLOG”. Do not overcomplicate it and name it something like “CHRONICLES”.

Your website needs clear navigation menus and strategically placed calls-to-action buttons, like BOOK NOW.  Your site visitor needs to know where everything is and how to get there fast. 

Remember, the fewer clicks required to access essential pages, book an appointment, find a blog, or purchase a product, the better. 

5. Fast Loading Speed

Facts: NOBODY likes to wait. Whether you are waiting for your food at a restaurant or standing in a queue longer than a giraffe’s neck to pay for your goods.

The same goes online. A fast-loading website is better than a slow-loading website, as it enhances user experience. 

Not only that, a fast-loading website also boosts rankings, as search engines typically prioritise websites that deliver a seamless browsing experience.

6. Mobile Responsiveness

This one is a big deal! 

About 96% of people use mobile phones to access the internet! We are not even joking. To put it into perspective, only 63% of people use their laptops/desktops to access the internet.

Therefore, mobile responsiveness is no longer optional, but essential. A great website is always optimised for mobile devices, ensuring it looks fabulous on a smaller screen and functions flawlessly.

Your call-to-action buttons need to be visible on mobile, and the page layout should be easy to read. A recent study has shown that websites that are not optimised for mobile have an average 60% bounce rate (i.e. bouncing away from your site!)

If you are an e-commerce business owner, 72% of online shoppers claim a mobile-friendly site is crucial for purchasing.

Full circle to fast-loading websites, about 50% of visitors expect a mobile webpage to load within 2 seconds. When creating a great website, you need to understand that a website goes beyond the borders of your computer screen. 

7. Security And Privacy

With increased cybersecurity threats and privacy concerns, your website must be secure!

You can employ robust security measures, such as HTTPS encryption, regular software updates, and firewall protection, to safeguard user data and prevent unauthorised access. 

Moreover, transparent privacy policies and compliance with data protection regulations help you to build trust with your visitors and demonstrate your commitment to protecting their privacy. 

However, please note that long gone are the days when having a website was enough. Your website NEEDS to be SECURE.

Let’s Recap

A great website is more than just a digital presence, it is a meticulously crafted platform that always prioritises user experience, functionality, and reliability.

So ask yourself again … is my website good enough? Happy updating!