Every business is online these days — it’s not an option anymore. Customers want to find your business online, and they expect you to have a website. No matter what industry you are in, the odds are you already have competition. To stand out from them, you need an impressive website with a well-crafted brand message. This article will teach you how to create a great website, starting with the basics of web design so that you won’t make any big mistakes that cost you money, or worse, make your potential customers think less of your business.
Use the Golden Ratio
Have you seen the golden ratio? It’s an algebraic equation that’s often applied to art and has its roots in mathematics. In fact, it can be applied to web design. The golden ratio is a commonly held concept within the web design community. This theory suggests that our eyes are primed to respond to certain numbers and ratios when viewing a web page. While every person's eyes and brain are slightly different, following the golden ratio can give us a better chance at creating content that is appealing to the eye and makes for an enjoyable user experience. Trust us, web designers have relied on it for years!
Perform Keyword Research
Keyword research is a vital part of SEO. It helps you understand what people are searching for with an aim to answer their questions and convert them into customers. But before you start plotting keywords, you should know that keyword research is much more than just looking at search volumes and competition landscapes. Studies show that almost 80 percent of users perform online research before making a purchase. Understanding your specific audience goals will help you define the right keywords to focus on for your site. So if you want your site listed on the first page of Google search results, include those relevant keywords if possible.
Create Website Popups Your Visitors Will Appreciate
Struggling to get signups and sales via your website? The solution could be as simple as adding some popups. Why? Because people like good old pop-up boxes. It’s an age-old fact, and the modern webmaster is still using them to get his or her visitors’ attention. A website popup – also known as a lightbox, modal form, and floating box – is an on-site webform. When triggered by the interaction of the user or timed delay, it will pop up in front of the user while they are browsing your website. Popups don’t always have to be annoying and they can help you greatly in getting more visitors, more visitors who would willingly provide you with their email address.
Keep Customers Connected and Coming Back
You have probably heard this before, but your website should not just be a tool for attracting new customers. It is also an opportunity for you to foster deeper connections with existing ones. There are many ways businesses can effectively use their website to nurture relationships with customers. Websites that have abandoned the design, development, and maintenance methods of the 90s are seeing impressive results. Instead of trying to get people to buy things all alone, they are now focusing on building a community where people can engage, feel appreciated, and more inclined to spend.
Consider Your Biggest Cybersecurity Threats
Have you ever worried about someone hacking into your website? Online security is a must for protecting your website and other online assets. If your organization does not have an IT department that is monitoring and managing all aspects of your organization’s IT infrastructure, then you should be. With so many online threats lurking around the corner, security is paramount for protecting your websites and the important data it holds. For example, security breaches can have a significant impact not only on your website but also on your business and the customers you serve.
Have Excellent Product Photography
Have you ever browsed through a website and wondered why the product photography looked so darn good? Sure, the quality of products is what ultimately sells them, but attractive visuals also have a considerable impact. Product photography is a lot more than just taking high-quality photos of your products. This type of photography has to be eye-catching, sharp, and attractive enough to sell your product. Consumers buy with their eyes first, so when creating product photography, it's important to capture your products in a way that will inspire consumers. After all, how can you expect to sell your products online if you haven’t captured them in the best light?
It doesn’t matter if you have a physical small business or just do freelance work: on the internet, you are your website. Building and designing a website for your small business doesn’t have to be difficult. There are many professionals out there that can help you create an aesthetically pleasing look for your site. However, if you want to save some money by doing it yourself, our tips will help you develop a quality site.