There is a secret ingredient to all successfully designed websites that stand tall above the rest. It is equivalent to the first thing you see when you wake up in the morning, and the last thing you do before you go to bed. Its importance can bring your website to new heights, and its attraction can entice and convert visitors from near and far. Your website will be the shiny new toy, the new girl on the block, the only key that opens the door.
Did we catch your attention? Good. The first and most important tip for a successful website is to create an irresistible and gripping website hook.
1. Hooks
Oftentimes hooks, or ‘hooking’ are used in writing content such as articles, essays, and online content writing (much like the one we just used on you!) And they are incredibly effective.
The undeniable intrigue from hooks is a surefire way to gain interest from site visitors. Always place your hook on the home page, right in the center of the page where people’s eyes will go. This does not need to be a gripping tale or a suspenseful sentence, it simply just needs to be eye-catching and intriguing. This could be a mission statement, a slogan for your brand, or a catchy or funny headline.
For example, check out our website design for a painting company. By using humour and a play on words, you’re immediately a bit more interested in the brand than you were before.
Though using hooks is undeniably effective, they do not need to be used through writing. Hooking can be done in many ways such as a striking visual or engaging video.
2. The Power of Images and Videos
Images
Images are very powerful. In fact, the brains of your visitors only need 13 milliseconds to focus on a photo and make a decision about it. Will they stay on your website or will they leave? That is entirely up to you. The quality and message of your image will determine its impact.
Good-quality images can include high-quality, professionally taken JPEG images that are clear and unpixelated. However, good-quality images can also mean real images. (This translates to images you took yourself that are not ultra-posed stock photos.)
Though beneficial, stock photos cast an unauthentic glow on your website and don’t offer much personality or character. Additionally, it will be hard to find an image that portrays exactly what you want it to, especially if you intend to use it as a hook.
Videos
These days people want a 50/50 ratio of images to videos. Video content may seem like a daunting task, but it really isn’t. From the rise of social media, video content has become much more accessible, but also much more expected. If you want to keep people on your site, draw them in with a fun and informative video.
Be aware that the dawn of long videos has ended, and short punchy videos (thank you social media!) are in. Keep your videos under 90 seconds and don’t be afraid to cast yourself as the star. This adds a nice personal touch that people will enjoy.
Also, it’s more than acceptable to use your phone to film. Just try to make sure the lighting is excellent (try going outside!) and draft a script beforehand so it sounds polished.
3. User-Friendly Successful Website Design
Next up is creating a user-friendly website interface. (Or UI, as we call it in the biz). Strategically placed menus, dropdowns, and other important information are essential to keeping your visitors informed and entertained.
If your website is too busy, people will feel stressed and quickly abandon it. If they can’t easily find a vital piece of information (this could be pricing, dates, or availability) they will leave even quicker.
Make sure your information is clear, to the point, and openly available without being too spammy. This way, visitors can enjoy your website while still getting what they came for.
4. Keep It Fresh
Keeping your content fresh and updated is a great way to keep up with social and digital trends that draw in every type of audience. It would be best if you kept working at this tip consistently. It may seem like a lot of work, but it is well worth it.
Consider keeping up with trends every year and making changes to your website that reflect the current digital age. If you’re not sure about current trends, there are lots of quick ways to find out. Check out some new trendy websites that launched in the past year, or hop onto social media and you will get a pretty quick understanding of online trends. We recommend updating your website every three to six months. This could include content changes, different imagery, or a new layout.
If you don’t have a lot of time to dedicate to this, don’t stress. Even small changes can make a large impact.
5. Testimonials
Now, this tip is much easier, and something you only need to do once (thank gosh!) Testimonials. These are an amazing way to add authenticity to your website and show all the hard work you do. Some people may feel uncomfortable about posting reviews on a website, but we promise it’s a converting gold mine.
Visitors want to see other people’s experiences, and it will encourage them to see and learn more through your website. Also, you work hard for your business, and it’s a good thing to be proud of that and show off your accomplishments. People want to see this and can empathize greatly with it.
Another huge benefit of testimonials is verification. Any doubts they had about your site being fake will melt away. Testimonials add a big legitimacy factor in successful website design, which is very important, especially in this digital era.
6. Answer Questions
Another important way to get people to stay on your website is by actually answering their questions. Sometimes we get so caught up in ensuring our website is aesthetically pleasing, it doesn’t end up offering any valuable information. Make sure you include every service you offer and provide details.
Put yourself in the mind of the consumer, and consider what you would want to know. Or, visit other sites and ask yourself similar questions. Then reflect on your website and answer accordingly. Here’s a hot tip: A great way to make sure you include all necessary information and answer everyone’s questions is by including an FAQ section. (This is also an SEO dream!) By ensuring your successful website design is beautiful and informative, your visitors will be pleased and most likely use your services.
7. Call To Action
This leads us to our last tip. Once people have looked at your site and digested all the information, sometimes they will be inclined to check out competitor sites for product variations or better deals. A great way to combat this is with a call to action.
Call-to-action buttons are the cherry on top of the chocolate sundae that is your successful website. They encourage visitors to finalize their visit and make a friendly suggestion to complete the purchase or action. This is often in a button format or a catchy logo, reading “call now,” “click here,” “see this!” or “follow us.” It’s ultimately up to you what you want to push for.
Be strategic in your call-to-action placement. Too many call-to-action buttons can spam and stress the visitor, or pressure them to make a purchase, which is not an emotion you want to convey. Try placing them at the bottom of a paragraph where appropriate. Depending on the size of your website, we recommend approximately four call-to-action incentives throughout your site.
Successful Website Design with Gilmedia
These seven tips are a great starting point for a successful website that people will genuinely love to visit. Even though you’re now a web design pro, if you need more information or professional advice, we would always love to hear from you. Contact us at Gilmedia and let’s create a successful website design and grow your business together.