// by Colin
A great website is the sum of many parts; it’s not easy to achieve, but it’s definitely worth the time and investment. If you’re interested in getting one for your business, it’s important to know what the ideal finished product looks like. So here are the top seven hallmarks of a great website:
1. It has a modern design
Nowadays, consumers expect more from a website than just well-placed menus, buttons, and content. The big picture matters, and so do first impressions, which is why choosing a modern design is so important.
Great websites are developed with UI best practices in mind; their interfaces are seamless, striking, and inspired, but never fiddly or pretentious.
2. It has a clear purpose
Great websites won’t ever make you wonder why they exist. Consumers shouldn’t have to dig deep to figure out what your company does or what you have to offer. As a business, you only have a few seconds to capture their attention online, so be sure to make them count. Whether your site has been designed to sell, entertain, or inform, its purpose should be crystal clear from the get-go.
3. It has user-centered navigation
According to a recent study, 94% of consumers consider easy navigation to be a website’s most useful feature. A great website is one that has made the customer’s journey as straightforward as possible. The faster users are able to access a website’s content — particularly the stuff that is relevant to their needs — the more time (or money) they will spend there. Simple and intuitive navigation is an absolute must for modern websites.
4. It has a call to action
A call to action is a button or link that encourages visitors to interact with your website content. It’s all about driving engagement and converting those clicks into sales, so it’s important to include them, especially on the landing page. Great websites will have CTAs that are short and sweet — think ‘Get Started,’ ‘Book Now,’ or ‘Learn More.’ Above all, they should link to the appropriate pages and match the objectives of your business.
5. It prioritises quality content
Even the most beautiful or expensive website is worthless if it does not include high-quality content. In truth, a website is as valuable as the text, audio, and visual content that fills its pages. This is especially true in an era where SEO is no longer just an option, but a necessity. Great websites have content that is dynamic, eye-catching, and concise. They are focused on providing users with descriptions, images, blog posts, or videos that are engaging and helpful.
6. Its branding is consistent
Consistency is key when it comes to website branding. From the logo to the colour scheme to the overall build, every inch of your site should reflect and support the ethos of your brand. By creating a sense of harmony, you’re presenting your business as professional and trustworthy. On the other hand, inconsistency demonstrates a lack of attention to detail; it confuses and frustrates the user. A great website will appear cohesive, slick, and reliable.
7. It has been optimised for mobile
Most people will use their mobile phone to access your website, so it’s critical that the site has been optimised for display on smaller devices. A great website is one that is adaptable by design. On mobile, it will retain the look and feel of the desktop version without complicating navigation. It will be fast-loading, attractive, and clean ie. no chunky paragraphs or oversized buttons. This ensures that users won’t be put off by the appearance of your site from the get-go (even if it does look perfect on desktop).
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Here at Ourside, a website design agency based in Ireland, we’re committed to creating websites with the best user experiences and cutting-edge designs. We believe that every business has digital potential, and we would love to help you fulfil yours. Get in touch with us today!
