What does it take to create a good website?

Here is the list of what to do and what not to do before you start creating a website:

DO THIS:

Set smart goals.

And make sure they are measurable.

Here are some good words a web developer wants to hear:

Increase conversion rates, increase sales, generate more leads, reduce overhead costs and improve brand awareness.

Plan to become a Search Engine Optimization (SEO) understand-yourself.

Sure, you will want the help of the pros, and eventually you may even need your own SEO expert hired, but search engine optimization is also something you need to know a lot about in the months and years to come. SEO has one of the highest returns in marketing. In addition, if you do it right, SEO automation can literally put your marketing on autopilot, allowing you to focus on improving the quality of your business, instead of figuring out how to bring in customers to your site. Start reading about SEO and stay up to date with SEO changes by reading sites like https://searchengineland.com/.

Think about your mobile strategy.

Examine the percentage of visitors who are likely to use mobile devices to access your site. If it's high, you may want to consider building your own mobile version of your site, or even an app. If it's relatively low, just make sure your site works on smartphones.

Look at what your competitors are doing.

Before building your website, check out what your competitors are doing and write down things you thought they were doing well. If you like the look and feel of another website, there is no reason not to start with something you like and then make it your own.

Develop your content.

If you are going to sell products on your site, you need to make product images and product descriptions crystal clear. If you sell services, you need a good description of each service. Get as much of your content mapped well before you start building your site - it saves weeks and months of work later. And while you're at it ... Write texts with a view to encouraging action. Good trade promotion measures on the website allow visitors to quickly decide what they want to do next. Do you have a large sale of goods or services? Do not just write a banner that says "50% off all products." For example, write a banner that says "50% off all products, and CLICK HERE to see them."

Always answer the question "why?"

Have you ever walked over to someone you have never met, given them a business card and walked away without saying a word? Probably not.

If you want people to do something on your site, such as sign up for your newsletter, do not just put up a box that says "enter email" or "sign up for newsletter" Tell them why they should do it:

Sign up for our newsletter to receive weekly offers "or" Sign up for our newsletter and get a 20% discount on your first trade ". The same goes for Twitter and Facebook accounts. Just set them up with the idea that it's smart , is no longer very smart. Tell people why they should follow you on Twitter or become friends with you on Facebook. What do they get out of it?

DO NOT DO THIS:

Do it yourself.

We know - we are developing websites, so of course we have to say this. But with all seriousness, your website is often where potential customers first experience your brand. If it looks homemade, they will make assumptions about your business that you very much want to avoid.

Get people thinking.

When visitors come to your site, they usually already know what they want out of it.

Do a test in three seconds

If a visitor does not figure out what to do in three seconds, you can return to the drawing board.

Expect visitors

Get rid of the "if you build it, they will come" mentality. Just setting up your website will not lead to visitors.

Do not spend all your money

Do not maximize your entire budget on the website itself. You can get a well-designed website for less than 20,000 kroner from freelancers, or 50´ to 100,000, - from a highly professional online agency. And you can always make improvements as your business grows. It is first and foremost important to have some money left over for a marketing budget so that you can actually give a return on your investment.

Add a blog.

Are you really going to write blog posts on your website? Be completely honest. A website with an outdated blog can create the perception that your business is small or even out of business. If you enjoy writing and being active online with a clear voice, a blog is right up your alley. If you offer services, it is often easier to find topics for blog articles than if you sell products. Good articles that inform customers can stand up well and for a long time.

Add Twitter and Facebook buttons carefully.

If a potential client clicks through on your social media pages and sees almost no followers, they may lose confidence in you. First, you need to build your social presence, commit to posting and engaging your fans on a regular basis, and only then promote them on your site. Also keep in mind that some companies simply do not belong on Twitter or Facebook.

Try to please everyone.

Your website will be a mess if you try to accommodate all types of visitors who end up there. Find out who is likely to be your most frequent users, and focus on creating the best experience for them.

Add testimonials.

Building credibility is important, but too often statements sound false. "They're great!" Says Kari Nordmann "is simply not credible. If you are going to have reviews, make sure they are specific and something people can relate to.

Do not use Adobe Flash.

Some sites still need it, but if you can, avoid it. Adobe announced a few years ago that it will no longer support Flash on mobile devices and desktops. The last thing you want is for a potential customer not to be able to open your website.

Need help creating a website or improving a website? Contact us in the chat in the bottom right corner!