Websites differ in design and style. But there are certain features that all good websites have in common. Here are 6 of them:

1. Readability
   Legibility is paramount when reading digital copy. Can viewers read the copy on your website? REALLY read it? On a cell phone or tablet as well as a laptop?A good website is designed for ease of reading on ALL screens. That means fonts are web-friendly, reverse type is used judiciously (white type can be dramatic but it’s hard to read as body copy) and clutter is kept to a minimum.
2. Clear Messaging
   Will visitors to your site clearly understand what it’s all about? Or will they have to fiddle around to discover who you are and what you do?Once someone lands on your site, you’ve 15 seconds to convince him to stay.

   

   Especially if your product or services fix problems for people. People looking for something they need are generally not very patient.The quicker they see how you can help them, the better. Otherwise, they’re off to the next site….probably one of your competitors.

3. Good User Experience
   Digital designers understand how people use websites. They know that design is a critical part of navigation (how a visitor moves around your site to find what she wants). Graphic elements. Type. Colors. All of these impact hierarchy and affect how visitors move through your website.If you want those visitors to have a positive (user) experience, you need to ensure that that happens.
4. Conversion
   You want your website to look good. Slick. Cool. Sophisticated. Whatever it is you’re trying to convey to someone who lands on your site. But that’s not enough. Your site also needs to perform. It needs to convert visitors to customers…..or at least potential customers. So it’s important to convince visitors to DO something so you’re not just a quick landing.Best way: tell them what you want them to do — sign up for a newsletter, download an article, read and comment on your blog, send you an email, call you, etc.
5. Shareability
   Is your website designed to be socially successful? Have you made it easy for visitors to share pages, images, articles and other content? Make it a priority to ask visitors to share your content with colleagues and friends. Then add the social media share icons to make it easy.
6. Branding
   Your website is the online home of your brand. And it’s one that all the world can see. The look and feel of your site should be consistent with any other marketing material you have.This goes for your social media pages as well. Colors, fonts, design, copy style and voice should all look like they came from the same company.If your company’s website is missing any of the above, you might want to talk to some web development firms. Like us. We love talking about building good GREAT websites!