Want to know what makes a good website in 2022? Our Cardiff Web Design experts have noted everything you need to know to create a standout and successful website that’s going to connect with your customers and convert into sales.
Having a website has become crucial now more than ever, as behaviour has changed, and we become more and more reliant on the digital world. Don’t let your business get left behind, because if you do, it’s likely you’ll be losing out to your competitors. Whether you’re a service or product-based business, there really is no excuse.
Choosing the right website platform
Now this will all come down to the type of website you’re looking for and the purpose your website will serve. For example, some platforms are better suited to businesses that operate on an E-commerce basis (sell online). Whereas others might be more suitable to creative businesses that sell services and rely on a strong visual and aesthetic design to impress.
There are many website builders out there that will allow you to build your website yourself, which is great if you’re looking for something simple (although even the simplest website platforms can be tricky to navigate, so if you’re feeling out of your depth, ask the experts… remember your website is your modern-day shop window, so you want it to be the best it can be). If giving it a go isn’t even on your agenda and you’d prefer to leave the website design and development to the experts, then our Cardiff Web Design team are fully equipped to create a bespoke website tailored to your exact business needs.
Don’t forget, you’ll need to make sure your website is being hosted with a reliable hosting provider. It’s a good idea to ask them about their server speeds, slow websites won’t convert as well as websites that operate like the speed of light.
Clear Website Layout and Navigation
Now that we’ve discussed the function of the website, we need to start thinking about the layout. Ultimately, the layout of your website will act like your sitemap and help your viewers navigate around and move from page to page.
It’s a good idea to think about the products or services that your business offers and how this can best be presented on your website. Our web design team have worked with hundreds of businesses and will happily make some recommendations on a good navigation structure if you’re not entirely sure. Well communicated services and product suites can be the difference between fail and sale!
Top Tip – If you’ve got a special offer or product that you want to promote, ask your web developer to create a pop up on your website, so you can be sure that you’ve got all eyes on the content you want to share.
Website Design
And of course, a website that looks easy on the eye, and is designed by an expert with your business branding in mind is going to look 10 x better than an off the shelf template that hundreds of other businesses are likely using too.
Integrated Payment Providers for Your website
If you’ve got an E-commerce website or want to take payments for your services, then you’re going to need to use a payment provider. You want to make it as easy as possible for your customers, so make sure you choose payment providers that facilitate popular payment methods and offer a good level of security.
Don’t forget you’ll also need to make sure your website has an SSL certificate. You’re probably familiar with the small padlock that you sometimes see when you go onto browse a site… this little padlock is known in the website world as an SSL certificate and is put in place to provide extra protection and security when processing sensitive and private data like payment information.
An SEO Optimised Website
Now that you have a website created you want to make sure that it can get found. SEO, search Engine Optimisation is a process that helps your website become recognised by the search engines. Your website should be optimised for SEO from both a content and technical perspective. The content site of things will include things like your keywords and meta descriptions whereas the technical side of things will look at the website structure and speed.
Strong Website Communications
Even though your website might allow you to sell your services or products without any direct communication, it’s always a good idea to make your business easily contactable so that in the event a customer or prospective customer needs to get in touch for whatever reason, they can do so with ease. Here are a few ways you can provide for your customers to get in touch.
Contact Form – Allow a customer to submit an enquiry in just a few simple clicks.
Live Chat – This has been particularly useful in increasing conversion rates as people crave instant/quick responses.
Email Subscription Option – If you send regular updates out to your email list, make it easy for those who are interested to subscribe.
Social Links – Some people will prefer to contact via social media, so give them your links.
Calendar Booking System – Of course, this won’t be relevant to everyone, but for some, having a calendar booking system embedded on your website, creates a streamlined and efficient booking process.
Don’t forget, you need to make sure you’ve got yourself covered legally. You could have the greatest website in the world but if you’re not protected, you’re leaving your business in a vulnerable position. Yep, think Terms and Conditions, GDPR, Cookie Policy that kind of thing!
If you’ve got any questions on how to create a successful website in 2022 or are looking for an experienced team to support you then our Cardiff based Web Design Agency would love to hear from you!