Website design may seem like a daunting and overwhelming process, but don’t complicate it!
Here are six simple and straight-to-the-point steps you can take today to help build a better website.
1. Define Goals
What is the purpose of your website? Is it to pull in new leads or to educate website visitors?
Before you take a deep dive into design and copy, it's most important to create Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), a number that is both specific and measurable, to later help you measure the success of your website design.
Why?
Defining your goals on the front end will help when it comes time to launch your website and evaluate its success.
How?
Utilizing tools like Google Analytics to define and track your goals will help show a return on your website investment.
2. Determine Target Audience
The second step in creating a great website is simple: know your audience. And it’s arguably the hardest – you don’t want to cut any potential customers or clients out, but you can’t realistically target every single person on the planet.
Why?
Marketing personas can help create a clear vision of who you want to reach, and you’ll be able to craft a great user experience that directly resonates with issues they’re facing.
How?
Start by creating broad, composite sketches that can represent key groups of site visitors you wish to target with your website.
3. Write Copy
Any old website copy won’t do.
Once you’ve created marketing personas, it’s time to dive into copywriting. Every single line of every single web page should be tailored to speak directly to those marketing personas you created, while staying on brand. Cater toward your audience’s pain points and list the many ways you are their very best solution.
Why?
Powerful website copy can capture your user’s attention and bring beautiful visuals to life.
How?
Take a deep dive to get to know your brand’s identity and audience. Ask yourself what your audience wants, and how you can help meet their needs. Then, start writing copy that forms the foundation for your website and marketing communications with your customers. Don’t forget to make sure it’s search engine-friendly, too!
4. Dive Into Design
The key to a beautifully designed website begins with (you guessed it!) stunning elements that are visually appealing, adhere to a branded color scheme, utilize adequate white space and a single striking visual element that will catch your target audience’s attention and keep them on the site.
Why?
According to SME Website Statistics, Rareform New Media, 48% of people cited a website’s design as the number one factor in deciding the credibility of a business. Need we say more?
How?
Pull up Pinterest for all things design inspiration! Create a collection of elements you envision to be the star of your own website.
5. User Experience
Pretty web design elements are not doing anyone any favors if they’re not incorporated into a well-structured website. Think about your website visitors. How do you want them to interact with your website? How do you want them to flow through each page?
Why?
A website with great user experience can set your website visitors up for success (not to mention your business!) A path of clear communication means longer time spent on site and more conversions (yay!). 🥳
How?
Hire an experienced UX/UI designer! From day one, they will work with you to clearly define your ideal persona and understand your online goals, which will improve your website user experience and engage potential new customers or clients. All in all, they’ll ensure your website not only looks good, but works.
6. Measure Results
You’ve launched your website and are getting great feedback from friends and family afar. But, how is your website really doing? Now is the time to revisit your specific and measurable KPIs you crafted before you even started designing or writing copy for your website.
Why?
Measurable results like pageviews, sessions, average time on page, goal completions, and more can help you pinpoint what your website is doing well and where it could be improved.
How?
Are users only staying on site for 30 seconds or less? Maybe it’s time to create additional or even longer-form content to get them to stay. Is your website seeing a spike in visitors but conversions are lacking? Take a look at your visitors’ behavior when they reach certain pages of your website. What could be causing them to exit their browser? Do you have a strong call to action scattered throughout your site? There should be no dead-ends on your site, and your audience should be able to keep scrolling and clicking as you guide them through. Take advantage of free tools (like Google Analytics!) to help!
Need help incorporating these principles into your current website or ready for an entirely new award-winning website? We can help!
For more information regarding our web design services, contact us today to book a Discovery Call!
With more than 10 years of agency experience, Jenny has had the privilege of working with a large variety of brands. She loves partnering with other business owners and entrepreneurs, and specializes in brand development. From digital marketing to online course creation, Jenny’s knowledge and skillset has prepared her to be a successful creative director.
