Creating an Exceptional Website: 10 Key Features for Success

How many times have you read or heard the words:‍

“In today's digital age, a website is more than just a virtual business card”?

Well, that's typically just before you're about to be pitched.‍

“It's your shop window, your 24/7 customer support team, and one of the first points of contact for potential clients and customers.” 😊

However, we aren't here for the usual "spiel," and we all understand the importance of a website.

What's more significant are the key features that well-designed websites possess. These can lead to reaching larger audiences and better conversions.

Therefore, to ensure your website is ready for business, we'll explore 10 features that every good website should have:

1. Mobile-Friendly: Adaptability for All Devices

In an era where mobile devices dominate global internet usage (55.5% as of August 2023), having a mobile-friendly website isn’t an option - it's a necessity. There are 4.32 billion active mobile internet users, and your site needs to look and function well on smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers. Bing’s Mobile-Friendliness Test Tool is an excellent resource for a quick and simple check that shows a rendering of your site on a mobile device and highlights useful improvements to make.

2. User-Friendly Navigation: The Path to Success

User-friendly navigation is the cornerstone of an exceptional website. We've all heard the buzzword "UX", but too little is said about website navigation, which should enable visitors to find what they're looking for quickly and intuitively. A clear and logically structured menu is essential. Having a search function also helps connect your visitors to the right areas. However, ask yourself why they had to search in the first place. Was it not easy to find? Tools like Hotjar can help you understand your customers' website activity and provide heatmaps to help you analyse user behaviour and make informed navigation improvements.

3. Fast Loading Speed: The Need for Speed

Website speed significantly impacts user experience and SEO rankings. Slow-loading sites frustrate users and can lead to high bounce rates. In fact, Google’s statistics highlight that the probability of users leaving your site increases by 32% if the page load time goes from 1 to 3 seconds. Google's PageSpeed Insights is a really valuable tool for assessing your website's loading speed. Furthermore, it provides you with insights and suggestions to help you optimise performance. This includes details such as optimising images, and if you need assistance with technical jargon, don't hesitate to email us.

4. Compelling Content: Content is King

We've covered aesthetics and functionality, but let's address the most critical element:

HIGH QUALITY CONTENT

The 3 R’s - Real, relevant and revealing content is the lifeblood of your website. It informs, engages, and converts visitors into customers. With the advancements of AI tools like Chat-GPT and Grammarly you can ensure your content is well written, easy to understand and error-free. However, most importantly, your content needs to answer visitors' questions, provide them with value, and be authentic to your brand and business.

5. Secure Connection (HTTPS): Building Trust

Regardless of your expected website traffic volume, security is paramount on the web. An SSL certificate is essential to secure the connection between your website and its visitors. This not only protects sensitive information but also builds trust. Most hosting providers offer free SSL certificates, so there's no excuse not to make your website HTTPS-secure.

6. SEO: Your Path to Being Found

This heavily discussed topic deserves its own blog in the future and is a fundamental feature of a great website!

In simple terms though - search engine optimisation is critical for your website's visibility on search engines like Google.

Google Analytics and Google Search Console are free tools allowing you to track your website's performance, identifying keyword opportunities, and uncovering issues that might impact your SEO efforts. Regularly reviewing and optimising your website for search engines is an ongoing effort, but it’s really important to note that results won’t just happen overnight and it is a continuous battle.

7. Calls to Action (CTAs): Guiding Your Audience

Effective calls to action (CTAs) guide visitors on their journey through your website. Whether it's reading a blog entry, signing up for a newsletter, requesting a quote, or making a purchase, CTAs should be prominent and enticing. Copy Ai’s CTA generator is a handy tool for creating eye-catching buttons and CTAs that encourage user interaction. Subscribe to read our next Blog too! See what we did there 😉

8. Contact Info: Easy Accessibility

No matter the business, your customers want to be able to contact you. Make it easy for customers to reach you. Your contact details, including phone number, email address, and physical location, should be readily accessible. Consider including a contact form for inquiries and establishing a Google My Business listing helps manage your online presence and local listings, ensuring potential customers can find you effortlessly.

9. Social Media Integration: Amplify Your Reach

Your website represents your owned media, but don’t forget to capitalise on your earned media and integrate your website with your social media profiles! All of your shares, mentions, posts and reviews can help amplify your reach. Providing social sharing buttons and tools that encourage visitors to share your content increases engagement and brand exposure, boosting the success of your website. See below 😉

10. Regular Updates: “Consistent hard work gains success”

If you recognised the abbreviated quote by The Rock/Dwayne Johnson, kudos to you.

However, in all seriousness maintaining your website is an ongoing commitment. Regularly updating features, plugins and content to ensure security and performance is a must. Refreshing your design is optional, but just as we have done recently it ensures that visitors see your brand evolving and improving their customer experience.

(You made it this far? Thank you)

In summary, the 10 features mentioned above collectively contribute to a well-rounded and effective website. By implementing them, you create a user-friendly, trustworthy, and highly discoverable online presence.

Remember though, that the digital landscape evolves rapidly, so it's essential to stay informed about the latest trends and technologies to keep your website competitive. At B3, we are here to help you, and if any of the above leaves questions unanswered, simply reach out to us, and we will endeavour to assist you.

Lastly, if you enjoyed Blog Number One, subscribe below and share it with colleagues and friends, as there will be more to come 😊

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