9 things a successful website needs

Now that you are ready to have a website or carry out a makeover on your current one, however, it can be overwhelming and a lot of work! Here are a few steps below that should make the process a lot easier for you.

1. What do you want your website to do?

Work out the main goal of your website. What do you want people to do when they come on to it? Here are a few examples:

• Sell services or products that people can purchase

• Show off your amazing work through a portfolio

• Inspire people with a blog

• Allow them to sign up to your newsletter

2. Your target market

Make sure that your copy, design and content reach out to these people. If you haven't gone through who your target market is, that is the first step to find out who they are.

3. What pages do you need?

Start visualising how you would like people to use your page and what they will want more of. Make sure you have pages that help your business shine. A few common pages are:

• Home

• About

• FAQs

• Services

• Shop

• Blog

• Contact

• Portfolio

4. Make it easy to understand what you do

Make it clear and easy for people to understand what your services are when they view your site.

Tagline

Your webpage and brand should have some sort of tagline that describes your business: who you are, what you do and how you do it. This is usually what appears in the header.

Introduction

Explain your business and a bit about yourself. You want this to be clear and concise. A lot of times I visit sites and do not understand what they do! Add this to the top of the homepage so people understand right away what your site offers.

Call to action

Find out what you want your audience to do when they are on your page. I would advise to have this on every page. Either sign up to your newsletter (give them a small gift for free: ebook, screensaver f.ex.), purchase a product/services, contact you about a service, sign up for a program, read your blog post etc.

5. How to connect with you

Social media

Make it easy for the client to find out more about you and your businesses. This either appears in your header, footer or even middle of the page depending on what you feel is most important.

Contact info

On the webpage, usually in the footer we want to add your name, address if it's a store, contact information and social media. Don't hide this and make it difficult for them to find. Personally, I will always scroll to the bottom to find this if I'm in a rush - if you are a local business that offers services, this is very important. Inform them how to contact you and a personal message to make the page more friendly and inform them what they might gain from contacting you.

6. Visuals

Photos are vital to making your site look good. My advice would be to hire a professional photographer - I find this cheaper because you get so many photos, makes your business more unique, and you can showcase what you offer and who you are. Yes you can get stock photos, but they can be pricey and you may see other people using them. However, If photos are not for you, illustrations, patterns and textures are a great way to add extra elements to your site. I know a few photographers, so contact me if you need any recommendations.

7. Testimonials

Add testimonials from clients! We all love seeing that others love your business, give yourself a confidence boost and ask your clients to provide you with one. It doesn’t have to be in an obvious way, but ask what they thought about it. What they liked, what you can improve and then ask if you can use it. Don't just add them to just one page, spread them out!

8. Blog

Are you wondering if you need a blog? They are a great place to give your clients more insight into your business and inspire them. You can use them to introduce new events happening, recipes, personal reflection etc. However, try to keep to be consistent and make sure it’s something you like talking about or else you won’t continue. Create a few categories and look at other blogs you like. Then make a list of all your blog ideas for the future. Have at least a couple of posts prepared before launching.

9. Newsletter

Setting up a newsletter is a good way to keep people in the loop on what is going on with your business, views or to inspire your audience. Make sure that it is easy to find where they can subscribe to your newsletter.