Are you ready to start up your first website? Here are my 10 quick tips for website beginners:
1. Do your Research
Before you start in earnest, it is always a good idea to check out other websites, including those of your competitors, and make a note of what you like and dislike about them.
2. Plan it Properly
Once you have researched, it is time to plan out your site. It is best to start with at least a basic “home page”, an “About” page, and a “Contact” page, then start to add pages for each of your key products or services.
3. Content Comes First
It’s tempting to start thinking about flashy banners and features at this stage, but the content is most important as it is what your website says and does that your customers care about, not just how it looks. Make sure you have planned your content and written it out first, so your designer can work around it.
4. Proofread Your Text
Check all of your spellings, it looks unprofessional if your text is riddled with errors.
5. Usability is Critical
Ease of use is important – people do not like to make multiple clicks, scroll around screens, or search for buttons – they want information presented to them in a usable way.
6. Keep Things Consistent
Make sure your website has a consistent them: use the same fonts, colours and design styles as much as possible across pages so visitors know they are on the same site.
7. Always Add Pictures
A picture is worth a thousand words – it’s best to have a small image or two on every page to break up the text.
8. Keep it Constantly Updated
Customers are more confident in websites that are regularly updated – a blog or online journal is a good way to do this.
9. Don’t Forget the Search Engines
Consider how people might find your website in search engines, and include the search terms and keywords you think they might use in your text – in a natural way.
10. Get Help from a Professional
If you are not sure, engage the services of a professional design company like thriftysites.co.uk who can walk you through and help make your website perfect.