Every well-traveled internet-user is aware of one simple truth – the worldwide web has more websites than any single person could hope to view in their lifetime. This resonates even deeper when you realize this number is changing by the second. By the time you reach the end of this piece, more than 1,000 new websites will have appeared online. From a logo maker to niche businesses, and even the odd blog or two, the number of website categories alone are enough to overwhelm a person. So even if you tried your absolute best, you simply cannot see all the internet has to offer.
But who is to say every website is worthy of viewing? In fact, it can be argued many of the websites currently available online are not even worth the click it takes to visit them. Seeing as no person responsible for the launch and operations of a website desires this outcome in their work, it stands to reason they should do everything in their power to understand the fundamentals of a good website. If you find yourself in a similar boat, never fear! The answers you are in search of can be found below.
1. It’s Built for the End User
Possibly the largest issue with any website is its apparent lack of care for the people who will be using it. While this statement may seem harsh, pause for only a few seconds and consider this idea – the person or people behind the creation of a website are fully aware of its intentions, abilities, and functions because they are the people who made those items a reality. The flip side to this is the end users experience – they likely have next to zero working knowledge of what your site is, represents, or is capable of. Therefore, your site must be built in a way that carefully guides users through it rather than letting them try to sift through every item on the webpage.
Practically speaking, how is this accomplished? Start by eliminating all the excess stuff causing your end users to sift through your site. If a particular item or button is not pertinent to the mission statement of the company, it probably should not be on the home page. Likewise, pages filled to the brim with text and nothing more will create more boredom than you could ever shake a stick at. Of course, these two ideas only touch on a small portion of what you can do to better your end-users experience – be sure to pay attention.
2. It’s Practical at Every Turn
So much of modern technology revolves around brand-new features consumers never knew they needed until now. Or so the advertising says anyway. A smart mug, anyone? How about a set of airbags for your grandparents’ hips? See, in all the rush to invent as many new, wonderful, and useful items as possible, human beings continue to explore unnecessary areas of technological interest, leaving out the necessities. The same is true in the world of website building – designers want to make a splash with their work but often forget there will be real people using these sites daily.
With such a big, and somewhat vague, problem, the solutions are few and far between on this one. But try this on for size – Before you go charging ahead with the most aggressive website design plan you can think of, ensure every element of your website which is essential to business operations works, and is ready for anything the customer can throw at it. Once these things are in the proverbial bag, you can begin moving forward with the design plan sure to blow away your bosses’ shoes.
3. Most of All, It Oozes Individuality
Just as websites in general are a dime a dozen, so too are the overall appearances of these sites. Some of this is for good reason – such as end user familiarity with web design formats. But a copy and paste of a popular site will only get you so far. See, your website is part of the first impression to whomever you are attempting to reach. Assuming you want to start this relationship out on the right foot, your site needs to be memorable. If you cannot pick your website out of a multi-site lineup featuring the most basic, free templates out there, it is time to make some changes.
Truthfully, the three items covered here are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the fundamentals of a good website. Realistically speaking, an entire college course could be taught on the subject – and it is. But do not let that dissuade your efforts to create a good website. It can be accomplished by anyone, provided they desire it enough.
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