Nowadays, having a strong online presence is essential for businesses, organizations, and individuals. A website is often the first point of contact for potential customers, clients, or followers, and as such, it is important for it to make a good impression.
But what makes a great website? Here are 12 qualities that every great website should possess.
Easy to navigate
One of the most important qualities of a great website is that it should be easy to navigate. This means that users should be able to find the information they are looking for quickly and easily.
A website with a clear and intuitive navigation menu, as well as clear and descriptive headings, can help users find what they need without becoming frustrated.
Mobile-friendly
In today’s world, more people are accessing the internet on their smartphones and tablets than ever before. A great website is designed to be responsive, meaning it adjusts seamlessly to fit the screen size and resolution of any device.
This is important for providing a seamless user experience and ensuring that users can access the website from any device, at any time.
A website that is not mobile-friendly can be difficult to use and may drive potential customers away.
Fast loading times
No one likes to wait for a website to load, and a website that takes too long to load can be a major turn-off for users.
In fact, on average, if a web page takes longer than 2-3 seconds to load, people will typically abandon it, and about 8% of people will leave after just one second of loading time.
Thus, a great website should have fast loading times, ensuring that users can access the information they need quickly and efficiently.
User-friendly
A great website should be user-friendly, meaning that it is easy for users to interact with and use. This includes having a clear and simple layout, as well as easy-to-use forms and other interactive elements.
Attractive and visually appealing
A website that is visually appealing can help to engage users and keep them on the site for longer. A great website should have a clean and modern design, with high-quality images and a cohesive color scheme.
Well-written and informative content
The content on a website is what users are ultimately there for, and a great website should have well-written and informative content that is easy to read and understand.
This includes clear and concise headings, subheadings, and bullet points, as well as the use of images and other visual aids to help break up the text and make it more engaging.
Trustworthy and credible
Users want to know that they can trust the information they are reading on a website, and a great website should be credible and trustworthy.
This includes providing clear information about the website’s authors and sources, as well as including links to reputable sources for further reading.
Secure
In today’s digital age, cybersecurity is a major concern, and a great website should take steps to protect its users’ information. This includes using secure servers, encrypting sensitive data, and following best practices for online security.
Accessible
A great website is accessible to all users, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. This includes being compatible with screen readers and other assistive technologies, as well as adhering to web accessibility guidelines such as WCAG 2.0.
Ensuring that a website is accessible not only helps to improve the user experience for those with disabilities, but it can also help to increase the site’s reach and appeal to a wider audience.
Search engine optimized (SEO)
A website that is search engine optimized (SEO) is more likely to appear at the top of search engine results, making it more visible to potential users.
A great website should use relevant keywords, have clear and descriptive headings and tags, and use other tactics to improve its SEO.
Has a Clear Call to Action (CTA)
A great website has a clear call to action (CTA), encouraging users to take a specific action such as making a purchase, filling out a form, or signing up for a newsletter. These call to actions should be prominently displayed and easy for users to find and follow.
Up-to-date and fresh
A website that is out-of-date or stale can be a major turn-off for users, and a great website should be kept up-to-date with fresh and relevant content.
This can include blog posts, news updates, and other content that is timely and relevant to the website’s audience.
Final thoughts
By focusing on the qualities cited above, businesses, website owners and creators can build a website that truly stands out and meets the needs of their users.