The latest data shows that approximately 73% of small businesses have a website. If you are launching a new site or redesigning an existing one, you want to consider elements like user experience, functionality, and security. Here is a quick checklist with 6 considerations for success.
1. User Experience
The foundation of any successful website lies in intuitive navigation and seamless user experience. Your site structure should be logical and easy to follow, with clear menu labels and a maximum of three clicks to reach any page. Consider your target audience’s behavior patterns and design pathways that guide them naturally toward desired actions, whether that’s making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or contacting your business.
2. Mobile Responsiveness
Mobile traffic accounts for over half of all web browsing, so responsive design is important. Your website must adapt seamlessly to various screen sizes, from smartphones to tablets to desktop computers. As well, you want to test your site across different devices and popular browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. Pay attention to touch-friendly button sizes, readable font scaling, and proper image optimization for different screen resolutions. A mobile-first approach often yields better results than retrofitting desktop designs for smaller screens.
3. Loading Speed
We’ve all been there—on slow-loading websites that test our patience. Website speed directly impacts user satisfaction and search engine rankings. One simple trick is to create smaller image or video files, so they don’t take forever to load. You can optimize images and videos by compressing them without sacrificing quality. You can also minimize HTTP requests by combining CSS and JavaScript files. Another tip is to regularly audit your website’s performance and aim for loading times under three seconds to minimize bounce rates.
4. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Build SEO considerations into your design from the ground up rather than treating them as an afterthought. It’s smart to go with a heading hierarchy using H1, H2, and H3 tags and to write descriptive meta titles and descriptions for each page. You also want to have URLs that are clean and clear. Include alt text for images, create an XML sitemap, and establish a logical internal linking structure. These elements help search engines understand and index your content effectively, improving your visibility in search results.
5. Content Strategy
Effective web design balances visuals with content. Use typography, color, and spacing to guide users’ attention to the important information on your site. As much as possible, use short paragraphs, bullet points, and relevant subheadings. Include high-quality images and graphics that support your message and mission as all content should align with your brand voice and business objectives.
6. Security
Protect your website and users by implementing SSL certificates, keeping software and plugins updated, and following data privacy regulations like GDPR or CCPA. Include necessary legal pages such as privacy policies, terms of service, and cookie notices.
We hope this checklist is helpful. The goal is to have a website that looks professional and functions as a powerful business tool to serve both your user needs and your business goals.
If you need website design services, please get in touch with us today.