Photo by Lauren Mancke on Unsplash
You’ve started your business and now it is time to create that stellar website that can show you and your services/products off to the world. The question is, where to start? You probably have a pretty good idea of what it is you want, but have you thought about the big no-nos for web design? Here are 8 things you need to keep in mind as you create your website.
1.Max Budget
You want your website to look perfect, and it will, but that is going to take time. Don’t max out your budget right away. Keep some money in reserve for any changes or updates you may need made to your site. There are some things you might not even realize you want or need until the website has been live for a few weeks or even months.
2.Generic Testimonials
Testimonials can be a great thing, so long as they are unique and personal. A testimonial that says, “They were great, I liked coming here!” probably isn’t one that should make it onto your web page. Look for those that really help people get to know your company, and always remember to ask permission before putting a testimonial on your page.
3.Over Complicate
Don’t ever make your customers search for things on your website. If it isn’t easy to locate they will leave and choose someone else. They shouldn’t feel like they are clicking into a labyrinth as they explore your site.
4.Crowd
People tend to gravitate towards white space. It helps to give balance and order to a website, so don’t be afraid to incorporate whitespace into your website and lessen some of the busyness. The last thing you want to do is have your professional website look like a graffiti wall. Less is more is usually a good rule of thumb.
5.AutoPlay Music/Videos
If you want to scare people away from your website faster than anything, have autoplay videos with sound on or autoplay background music. People can’t stand having noise going when they can’t figure out where it is coming from, and they will simply click out of your website instead of exploring further. Silent autoplay videos that you can choose to unmute are fine, so long as they are used sparingly.
6.Copy Cat
Most web designers would suggest that you use a website that isn’t WordPress or another site where you can build your own website for free. Sure you can make a website on the cheap, but it is going to look the exact same as 500 other websites out there on the web, making your business look less professional.
7.Empty Blog
Blogging is a wonderful way to generate visits to your website, but if you aren’t consistent it is going to do more harm than good. An empty blog or a blog that is rarely updated tells potential customers that you are out of touch with your business.
8.Please Everyone
The goal of your website is not to please everyone. You should know who your target audience is and that is who you want to cater to. Choose colors, pictures, text, and themes that will appeal to your client base.
If you really aren’t sure where to even begin with your website, contact a web development company. There are some that can make you a fantastic site for only a few hundred bucks. It will be money well invested to have a professional website that you feel comfortable directing clients towards. Remember it will be many potential customers’ first look at your company so you want to make a fabulous impression.
