There are so many reasons someone might create a website, from hobby blogs to a home for your small business. Whatever website type you have, there are a few best practices you should adhere to to ensure you’re making the most out of your site and make it appealing to users, search engines, and browsers alike.
Here are our top four.
1. Buy SSL certificate
Good website security is paramount for keeping your site and its users safe, and an integral part of that is SSL. SSL security ensures that the connection of anyone visiting your site is encrypted. This means that any information exchanged over the link is inaccessible to potentially prying eyes. If you have an e-commerce store where users input credit card details or any login pages, an SSL will protect your users from data theft. Plus, web browsers have started penalizing sites without SSL marking them as “not secure.” So if you want to make sure users can make it to your site, SSL is critical.
2. Have an intuitive layout
One of the most critical elements of a good website is a structure that makes sense. Your users aren’t going to be able to complete a specific action if your menus are cluttered and internal linking doesn’t make any sense. A way of avoiding this is to keep things simple and clean. Include only the most critical site elements of the menu and ensure your homepage reflects your site’s mission and has a clear CTA. Have others test your site to see if they can navigate it easily.
3. Create relevant content
It can be tempting just to fill your site with whatever you want, particularly if you have varied interests. We’d advise against that, as it could confuse potential users. Pick a specific niche and stick with it. If you have other interests you’d like to explore, consider creating another site.
Create content based on anticipating user needs. How did they end up on your site, and what questions do they likely want to be answered? If they ended up on your site because you’re selling beautiful handmade jewelry, they might be a little confused if your blog is filled with restaurant reviews.
4. Perform regular backups
Backups are paramount for safeguarding your site, particularly if you update your site frequently. Although backups don’t secure your site, if anything happens to your site to take it offline, backups ensure that you’ll be able to get it back up and running fast. A good web host will usually back up your site a few times a week, but if you need more, plenty of free and paid plugins and services will provide that for you.
Conclusion
Running a website can be a lot of work, but it can be so rewarding if you find your audience. By following the best practices outlined in this article, your site will be off to a great start.