In this day and age, a website is essential for all business owners. It’s the first step in your digital marketing strategy. Do you need a Bay Area website designer? A user-friendly website can help you reach your target audience. Think of it as your introduction to potential customers.

But it’s not always easy to build an effective website, even though it’s no longer necessary to be a professional coder. Some people think that complicated sites draw more user attention, but that isn’t always the case. For example, aesthetics don’t matter if the pages aren’t loading properly. If you need web design services, it helps to understand what makes a website great. Use these tips to help you get started.

1) Simplicity

We sometimes mistake simple for boring, but a good website really can be simple. There are a few ways you can accomplish this. Try to avoid colors that contrast too harshly between the text and the background, such as red and white. Similarly, sites that are overly busy (with no real purpose) are more difficult to navigate. Steer clear from repetitive design elements. They can make pages lag as they load, and customers have very little patience for slow websites. So, cut the clutter and find an authentic look for your brand. Sometimes the most lasting looks are bold, but uncomplicated.

2) A Great Home Page

Visitors spend the most time on your home page. On average, you only have fifteen seconds to capture their attention before they move on to something else. Remember, the Internet is an awfully big place, and there’s a lot to explore. That’s why it’s so essential to create a welcoming home page for your site. A well-written homepage page helps users understand what you offer. Remember to add a call-to-action (CTA) so users know what to do after browsing your website.

3) Mobile-Friendly

Gone are the days of flip phones and landlines. Almost everyone has a smartphone now. People don’t read magazines in waiting rooms anymore, they look at their phones. This is true anywhere you find potential customers trying to pass the time, which is good news for business owners who have a web presence. Though, keep in mind, your site needs to be mobile-friendly in order for you to take advantage of extra web traffic.

For example, your website’s text may appear very small on a mobile phone or tablet, making it almost unreadable. Or, photos might be out of place when viewed in a mobile browser. Any number of issues can arise, so be sure to check the mobile version from time to time as changes are made to the website design.

4) Loading Times

Slow websites are frustrating to navigate. We’ve all been there. No one is going to stay on a site if pages take minutes to load, or placing an order doesn’t go through immediately. Once that user realizes that the slow speed is coming from your site, and not their own internet connection, they’ll find a competitor with a faster website. That’s how you get higher bounce rates, which is not good for business. So remember, customers and search engines both love a fast website.

5) Easy to Navigate

The navigation tabs on your website should be clear and concise. Also, avoid using too many navigation tabs. It’s always best to build a website that allows visitors to easily find all the information they need, including the best way to contact you. If potential customers have to search for things, they’ll probably go somewhere else.

6) SEO

The importance of SEO cannot be overstated. After all, it’s how search engines find your site. Otherwise, it’s just sort of floating in space. Good content, perfect technical aspects, and useful keywords can all help you rank higher on Google. That’s why a good website should follow search engine optimization rules.

Bay Area Website Designer

A website is the face of your brand and an introduction to your products or services. If you need an experienced Bay Area website designer, contact us at D-Kode Technology. We’re here to help. Give us a call at (925) 855-3282 to start your project today.