How to Create the Perfect Website
With the evolution of the Internet and related technology, websites have become a key resource for finding information and making connections. People use websites to read stories, learn new things, talk to friends and family, make purchases, connect with businesses and so much more. When it comes to website design, individuals and businesses are constantly searching for ways to make their web pages more widely accessible and stand out from the crowd. The following tips and tricks can be used by both individuals and businesses to help them craft the perfect website.
Regardless of the purpose or topic of a website, the main goal in design and content creation is to develop everything with users in mind. Although an individual or company may have specific visions or goals for their website, none of those things are going to matter if the website doesn’t attract visitors. The perfect website design should begin with simple and clear navigation. Links should be logically categorized into groups and menus, and the titles of those links should be clearly labeled so users know exactly where to find and access what they want and need.
Helen Lee Schifter advises website designers to make sure all landing pages link to only relevant information. For example, an online clothing store with a link labeled “pants” shouldn’t bring up a list of products that includes both pants and shirts. The information included under each link should be relevant, short and directly to the point. It’s also a good idea to include a link back to the homepage within each subsequent landing page so users can easily find their way back when necessary. All written information should be free of spelling and grammatical errors, easy to read and written in a way that makes visitors feel as if the content was written specifically for them.
Along with direct links to content, products and information relevant to the website, the perfect design should include “about” and “contact” links so users can learn more about whoever is behind the website and can contact them with any questions or concerns. Helen Lee Schifter understands it’s important to include these links in order to build a positive, trusting relationship between creators and users. The most frequently visited or most important links on the website should be listed on the homepage so visitors can find what they need as quickly and efficiently as possible. In terms of the perfect visual design, pages should be simple and easy to read. Colors and pictures can be used to enhance the browsing experience, but web page designers should avoid using any layouts, fonts or visual content that slows down the website or complicates browsing.
Once the designer feels like the website is perfect, the next step is to attract visitors. The best way to do this is through search engine optimization (SEO). This process involves researching and using relevant keywords to help the website rank high in search results, become visible to more people and ultimately attract the right users to the right place.