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8 Small Things that Make a Big Difference on Your Website
In today's world, your brand needs a website to effectively meet the needs of your audience.
While there are a variety of free tools available to develop your own website in minutes, taking the time to truly customize your website and make it your own can help to set your brand apart. Below are eight small things that make a big difference:
1. Planning your site
It’s easy to spot the difference between a website that was planned and one that wasn’t. By intentionally laying out content and determining goals, you will create a more seamless user experience. Wireframes are a great way to map out functionality and prioritize a design that works across a variety of devices.
2. Optimizing for mobile
If your site isn’t optimized for mobile, you’re ignoring a huge portion of your audience. If your site has a fixed layout, you’re unintentionally lowering your SEO rankings. When your site is seamless across devices, it shows your audience that you are a current brand that understands the needs of users.
3. Optimizing for SEO
It’s important to utilize smart SEO practices to improve the reach and efficiency of your website. When used in conjunction with a strong content strategy, SEO practices can help your site rank higher in search results, reaching more relevant audiences.
4. Using the right typeface
Selecting the wrong typeface can be detrimental to your user experience. Illegible copy is going to drive users off of your site almost instantly - we recommend using typefaces with high contrast, high legibility, and good scalability.
5. Infusing your personality
When your website reflects the culture and core values of your brand, it gives your audience better insight into your process. Showcasing your personality looks different for every site; some examples we love include animation, custom illustrations, unique photography, and hover effects.
6. Integrating branded messaging
Websites with bland, stock messaging fail to capture the attention of their audience. In contrast, branded messages help connect the right people to the right message. When you take the time to use language that your audience connects with and understands, it makes your brand more memorable to users.
7. Prioritizing high-quality imagery
Sites with old, pixelated, or overly stock and corporate images feel disjointed from more modern brands. Using high-quality images is an incredibly simple way to elevate your website. Some sites we love for sourcing imagery include:
8. Integrating relevant apps/platforms
Users are looking to you to guide them through your website. Integrate platforms and apps that will direct your users where you want them to go. Your contact information, social platforms, and additional platforms should be easily accessible, not buried underneath multiple pages on your site.
The difference between a good website and a great website is simple. A good website is well-built and clean, but great websites take users into account and go above and beyond to prioritize design and development that serves them