We recently decided it was time to breathe new life into our tired old website. Actually, it wasn’t that old but things move on so quickly that websites soon look dated and out of touch.
No-one should under-estimate the value of a website. It’s a reference point, a reassurance to the user that yours is a business that offers them a solution that fires up their interest.
Some folk argue that they don’t need a smart, up-to-date and effective site to be able to build a business. They have a site but don’t bother with it. Why then build it in the first place?
After discussion we decided to demolish the old site and build a new one, and, in designers’ parlance, we’re having a complete ‘make over’.
That started a debate. What makes a great website? Each of us has preferences in personal taste but good websites have one outstanding feature and several common features. The outstanding feature is that they have been built for the user rather than meeting any personal aspirations.
Users can be put off straight away by poor visual impact or complex navigation. Most users are impatient and will quickly move on if they have to delve through reams of text or the site is difficult to navigate.
When people visit a website they want something pleasing to the senses. Colours, style, text and image alignment, creative presentation of images and video clips, all contribute.
Research indicates that only around a quarter of text is read on any one page, so fewer words and more visual information is the key. Each page should have a specific focus or theme, aiming to provide an instant snapshot for the user.
And with the increasing use of mobile browsing and tablet devices, it’s also essential that sites can be viewed on a range of display areas.
The website must be search engine friendly. If this is done correctly, it could mean a huge boost in visitor numbers and the chances of improving the business’s visibility are greatly enhanced.
