Let’s get some things straight at the very beginning – if you do not exist on the Internet, you do not exist at all. Starting a business may have its hardships, but it can all be in vain if you do not dominate the online realm. Consider your website to be a digital hub where people can get a chance to audio-visually experience what your company has to offer. Without it, your efforts to expose yourself to the public eye will undoubtedly cost more money and time. Yes, it may be a bit abstract to some people to rely on something that is, in fact, intangible, but a website really can either make or break your startup, so you might as well design it right.
The logo
Nowadays, everything is about the visuals. The visual content you deliver to current and potential clients is a far more potent tool for communicating that just using texts. That is why the logo itself is like your emblem, your coat of arms, an image which defines your activities. Having a polished, professional logo which is linked to your home page is of the essence. Hi-res image of your brand should also be on any other platform you use, and by clicking it, it will always direct people to your website.
Navigation
Our attention spans are much shorter than before, mainly because we are exposed to all manner of information that we massively and blatantly disregard if doesn’t wow us. However, not only you’re your content have to be unique, simplicity has become a paramount trait for any website. So, when you design the navigation option, make sure that it is intuitive. Whenever a page has confusing layouts, people will quit it in an instant without trying to figure things out. Also, primary information should always be placed on the top of the navigation bar or landing page, while those less crucial should be placed at the bottom or footer.
Do not clutter things
This is another thing that simplicity regulates. If you put too much content for people to see or read, it will overload them. Too many options will never coincide with a sound digital marketing strategy. Cut down the number of graphics, photographs, animated gifs, and anything else that makes the website look cluttered. According to Mind Arc, a digital agency from Sydney, visitors judge things with just one look, so consider limiting the links and options while putting an emphasis only on important things. If you find it hard to differentiate what material is relevant and what isn’t, feel free to seek advice from the experts in the field.
Use of fonts and color
Fonts too, play a crucial role in the overall website image, so make sure yours is easy to read, size 11pt minimum, and universal (please stay away from Comic Sans!). Color should purposely be used in a strategic manner, because a tasteful combination of such visual stimuli can define the appeal of your company. Neutral colors, for instance, will help you project an elegant, modern appearance, while strong, vibrant colors can rarely make you look serious in the world of business. Also, check what colors patterns suit your taste and make sure that they are consistent with your marketing materials. Remember, they can either be complementary, analogous, triadic, monochromatic, or you can even try to combine your own patterns which you find pleasing to the eye.
Invest in good photography
People, especially the youth can detect a generic photo in no time. If you want to make an impression, it would be smart to invest in quality photography to back up your texts and other content. Show your visitors that you care about how things look and that you are capable of drawing attention with a certain gravitas. Visual communication is always more potent than verbal, especially in the Internet world. Consider this to be a postulate.
Everything discussed so far is related only to the aesthetics of the website. Once you make things look nice, professional, and appealing, then the SEO process can start and you will have to find ways to boost your traffic as best as you can. It isn’t an easy job, but goldmines are to be found on the Web, you just have to make sure that the products/services you sell are worthy of a wider audience.
Alexa analyzes web usage from traffic data sources including their own Alexa Toolbar users to eventually create traffic rankings for websites. This essentially determines how popular a website is. Even though these scores are highly respected in certain circles, the traffic data isn’t a representative sample of the global internet population, but an extensive variety of statistics taken from Alexa Toolbar users. 