Internet usage has increased so much in recent times that a company can no longer hope to expand its business without a winning website that sets it apart from its competitors. But designing a great website is not an easy task by any means. The perfect website is not only a visual masterpiece, but also functional, effective, and most importantly, easy to use.
To make the process of designing a website a little easier, AddPeople, one of the biggest and most popular Internet Marketing agencies in the UK, recently came out with an infographic with the 10 basic things every website should have.
1. A Responsive Web Design
With mobile browsing slated to overtake fixed Internet access in a few years, it is no wonder that a responsive website design, which adjusts automatically to the screen size of your device, is at the number one spot on their list. Apparently, more than 40 percent of consumers don’t hesitate to jump to a competitor’s website if they feel that your website is not responsive enough.
2. Branding – Logo, Font, Colors
Branding – your company’s logo, font and colors – is another important aspect of a website which helps establish your brand’s identity and builds consumer trust. Not convinced? The below infographic says that
66% of consumers are ready to shell out more money for a product if the brand can project a positive branding experience.
3. Image Quality
Have you been using generic stock photos on your website all this while? If so, it is time to change. Sharp, professional images can not only sell your products better, but they also improve click-throughs on your website. Experts say that websites with good images have nearly 50% higher conversion rates.
4. Ease of Navigation
An easy-to-use, navigation friendly website provides the user a great experience and increases your conversion rates by 18.5%. Remember, a first-time customer won’t have any qualms jumping to a competitor’s website if you make it difficult for him to find the product or information he is looking for.
5. Prominent Display of Contact Details
The prominent display of phone number and other contact details establishes your trustworthiness as a brand. Apparently, eight percent of people choose not to buy products from a website if contact details are not provided on the website. Makes sense, doesn’t it?
6. Attention-Grabbing Headlines, Great Copy
Strong, convincing headlines and copy that espouse the brand’s features, benefits and USP is a must-have for any website to be a success. Give your visitors a reason to browse through your website and watch your conversion rates zoom!
7. All Important Info Above the Fold
And as the infographic points out, most visitors to a website don’t take the time to read through your entire website from top to bottom – so make sure that the most important information that you want your customers to have is placed above the fold and is visible even without scrolling.
Editor’s Note: Above the fold is the area of the website that comes up first when you view it without scrolling. See image below how the Social Media Revolver’s homepage is seen on a 17 inch laptop screen:
8. Content Promotion – Blogs, Videos, Downloadables
The inclusion of multiple-view images, blogs, reports, videos and other downloadables on your website is yet another good idea. They can work wonders when it comes to connecting with your audience. They also contribute significantly towards driving up online sales and boosting conversion rates.
9. Strong Calls-to-Action
It goes without saying that strong calls-to-action are essential for getting your visitor to take specific action on your website and for achieving high click-through rates.
A single CTA button placed at the right spot can increase click-through rates by 2.75 times.
10. Trust Indicators
And lastly, remember to include trust indicators –awards, reviews, guarantees and testimonials – on your website to show your customers that they can do business with you without worrying about being taken for a ride. Seventy two percent of consumers say that positive reviews improve their trust in a business.
Infographic: 10 Things To Keep In Mind While Designing A Website
Here is a handy list of things you need to know when designing a good, simple and functional website. This infographic was produced by the very smart people at AddPeople. Learn these and you’ll be well on your way to creating awesome websites for yourself, or your clients.
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[Infographic by AddPeople]
Kris Olin, MSc (Econ.) * Editor in Chief at Social Media Revolver * Web Designer * SEO Specialist * Author of the Facebook Advertising Guide. Follow Kris on Twitter and LinkedIn. See his photos at Flickr.