As business owners, we’re all aware that having a good website is crucial. A well-designed and functional website serves as your virtual storefront, making a lasting impression on visitors and converting them into engaged customers and brand ambassadors. However, simply having a “good” website is not enough to stand out in a competitive market. To truly differentiate yourself, you need a great website that is unique, visually appealing, user-friendly, and optimised for success.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the key elements that make a website great. By implementing these following strategies, you can create a website that not only captivates your audience but also drives traffic, generates leads, and boosts your online presence.

1. Holistic SEO: Striving to be the best result

At the core of creating a great website is embracing the concept of holistic SEO. Holistic SEO is about optimising every aspect of your website to provide the best possible user experience and meet the needs of your target audience. It involves a comprehensive approach that encompasses content, design, functionality, and technical aspects.

By striving to be the best result for relevant search queries, you can increase your visibility, attract organic traffic, and improve your overall website performance.

2. Well-designed and functional: Making a lasting impression

A great website starts with a visually appealing and professional design that reflects your brand identity. It should be well-crafted, polished, and user-friendly. The use of white space, uncluttered layouts, high-quality photographs, and graphics can enhance the overall aesthetics and allow your message to shine through.

Equally important is the functionality of your website. It should work seamlessly, load quickly, and provide a smooth user experience. By adhering to web standards, conducting rigorous proofreading, and regularly testing for speed and functionality, you can ensure that every page leaves a positive impression on visitors.

3. Easy to use: Enhancing user experience

User experience (UX) plays a critical role in the success of your website. Visitors are often in a hurry and want to quickly find the information they need. Creating intuitive navigation with clear hierarchy, consistent layouts, and visual cues can help users easily navigate your website and accomplish their tasks. Whether they are searching for specific information or simply browsing, your website should offer a seamless experience.

Implementing features such as onsite search, related content suggestions, and minimising dead ends can further enhance user engagement and satisfaction.

4. Optimised for mobile: Reaching users on any platform

In today’s mobile-centric world, optimising your website for mobile devices is no longer an option; it’s a necessity. With the increasing use of smartphones and tablets, you need to ensure that your website looks great and functions well on any platform. Mobile optimisation not only improves the user experience, but it also has a significant impact on your search engine rankings.

By using responsive design, optimising page loading speed, and providing a seamless mobile experience, you can reach a wider audience and stay ahead of the competition.

5. Fresh, quality content: Engaging and informative

Content is king, and having fresh and quality content is essential for a great website. Your content should be succinct, interesting, and relevant to your target audience. Avoid jargon, corporate speak, and acronyms, and instead, use language that resonates with your visitors. Be accurate, update regularly, and provide valuable information that keeps visitors coming back.

Incorporating a blog and social media updates can help add fresh content and improve your search engine optimisation strategy. Remember, investing in keeping your content fresh is crucial for the success of your website.

6. Contact and location: Make engagement easy

Your audience shouldn’t have to go on a wild goose chase to engage with you. Make it easy for visitors to contact you by offering multiple points of contact, such as phone, email, social media, and a user-friendly contact form. Including a Google map on your website can also be a bonus for those looking for your physical location.

Ensure that this information is readily available on an easy-to-find contact page or even on every page of your site. By making engagement effortless, you can increase customer satisfaction and encourage visitors to reach out.

7. Calls to action: Guiding visitors towards conversion

Every website has a purpose, whether it’s to educate, inform, or sell a product or service. To achieve your goals, it’s crucial to have clear calls to action (CTAs) throughout your website. Your CTAs should be compelling, actionable, and easy to find. Whether it’s encouraging visitors to read and share articles, follow your company on social media, download resources, or sign up for newsletters, each page should include an ask.

By guiding visitors towards conversion, you can increase engagement, generate leads, and drive conversions.

8. Optimised for search and social: Driving traffic and visibility

Having a visually appealing and user-friendly website is not enough; it also needs to earn traffic. Search engine optimisation (SEO) and social media integration are essential components of a great website. By optimising your website for search engines, you can improve your visibility, attract targeted traffic, and increase your organic rankings. Implementing page titles, meta tags, alt tags, and relevant keywords can enhance your website’s discoverability.

Additionally, making it easy for visitors to share your content on social media can drive significant traffic and positively impact your search rankings.

Creating a great website for your success

If you’re looking to create a great website that stands out from the competition, Metal Potato is here to help. Whether you need a brand new website or want to revamp your existing one, our team of WordPress experts can guide you through the process and ensure a seamless experience.

Reach out to Metal Potato today and discover the ways we can support you.