Web Best Practices: Make Your Website the Coolest Kid on the Block
Ever looked around the web and wondered how to make your site stand out amidst the digital crowd? It's a bit like trying to be the coolest kid at school - there's lots of competition, but a few key strategies can set you apart.
Web best practices are your secret weapons here. They're industry-tested, user-approved methods for making your website shine brighter than your uncle's freshly polished Commodore.
⚡ Make it Fast
Nobody enjoys waiting. Compress images, use speedy hosting, and streamline plugins. Think of a quick-loading website as your digital sports car - fast, sleek, and turning heads.
Hot tip: Regularly run speed checks with tools like GTmetrix and PageSpeed Insights.
🌈 Easy on the Eyes
A clean, simple design goes a long way. Pick a soothing colour palette and avoid clashing colours or chaotic patterns. Your website should be as easy to look at as a sunset, not a fluorescent rave party.
📱 Mobile-Friendly Magic
With heaps of people browsing from their phones, your site needs to look good on every screen. A mobile-friendly site is like your favourite pair of shoes - it fits comfortably everywhere.
Quick win: Use responsive design frameworks like Bootstrap or test using Google's Mobile-Friendly Test tool.
🧭 Navigation Made Simple
Clear navigation is essential. Use descriptive links instead of vague terms like "click here." Navigating your site should feel effortless - like strolling through a well-signed city rather than wandering aimlessly.
Pro tip: Stick to clear headers, menus, and breadcrumb navigation.
🖋️ Content is King
Great content keeps visitors coming back. Regularly update your website with useful, engaging, and relevant content - blogs, guides, or videos. Good content is like a captivating storyteller at a campfire - everyone gathers 'round.
📢 Get Social
Include social sharing buttons so visitors can easily spread your content. It's like digital word-of-mouth - helpful, quick, and effective.
🔒 Secure and Trustworthy
Make your website secure with an SSL certificate and regular software updates. Think of it as the digital equivalent of locking your front door - it protects everyone who visits.
🎯 User-Friendly Experience
Ensure visitors can quickly find what they're looking for. Include a search bar, intuitive navigation, and well-structured content. A user-friendly site is like a friendly guide who knows exactly where everything is.
🗣️ Seek Feedback
Regularly ask visitors for feedback and run usability tests. It's like checking a mirror before leaving home - essential for catching any issues before the public sees them.
📚 Stay in the Know
Keep updated with the latest web trends and technologies. Staying informed ensures your website remains modern, effective, and appealing.
Bookmark these resources: WebFX, HubSpot, Tiller Digital, Hotjar, Thinkful.
🚀 Wrap-up: Ready to Shine?
Follow these web best practices and you'll have a fast, visually pleasing, secure, and user-friendly website that's impossible to ignore. So get out there, polish your digital shoes, and become the coolest kid on the internet block.
Need some extra help making your website stand out? At Tomedia, we specialise in creating digital magic. Drop us a line today!