In the digital age, no matter what type of business you’re running, a web presence is essential. A strong online space is crucial. Think of your website as your storefront; it lets people know not only what you offer, but what you’re about.

Due to this, it’s important to sweat the small stuff and pay close attention to the details during the development process. Read on for five things to keep in mind when building your website.

1. Define your Purpose

Firstly, you’ll want to start with a clear vision. Before you get into the technical nitty-gritty, consider what the purpose of your website will be and who it’s targeting. With your goals clearly in mind you’ll be more able to create a website that caters to the needs and preferences of your audience, and in turn, can help you reach your goals. Defining your purpose can also aid you in shaping the overall design, content, and functionality of your site.

2. Responsive Design for Mobile

As you begin building your website, you must consider how each element can adapt to web browsing and mobile browsing. These days, many people choose to use smartphones and tablets rather than a desktop. This means your website must adapt and be responsive no matter what screen size someone is using. Having a layout that adapts to the user can increase user satisfaction, as well as improve your SEO ranking.

3. Optimize for SEO

Speaking of SEO, let’s dive into its importance. Search Engine Optimization simply means the visibility of your site on search engines such as Google. So, you’ve spent some time making a website that has a clear purpose and is beautifully responsive. Next, you need to ensure that people can find it. Start by implementing SEO strategies such as:

• using relevant keywords
• creating descriptive and informative meta-tags
• building high-quality backlinks.

These small steps will increase the likelihood of attracting organic traffic to your site and will aid you in reaching a broader audience.

4. User-Friendly

Your website should be well organized and make use of intuitive navigation. This will help to keep visitors engaged. With clear menus and logical structuring, you’re decreasing the chance of your audience leaving your site because they can’t find what they’re looking for. Simple navigation not only avoids confusion but encourages visitors to stay on your site for longer.

In addition, you must consider how you’ll make your website accessible to everyone. This isn’t only a moral obligation, but it will also increase your site’s usability. Consider integrating accessibility plugins to ensure that users with disabilities can navigate and interact with your site.

You should also:

• provide alternative text for images
• use descriptive link text
• ensure compatibility with screen readers

If you fail to make your website accessible, it means that you’ll alienate a huge portion of your potential audience.

5. Think Quality, not Quantity

Lastly, content is king, so don’t scrimp on quality. Ensure everything on your website is relevant, high quality, informative, and engaging. You should endeavor to update your content regularly to keep it fresh and exciting. It’s also a good idea to utilize multimedia elements to enhance the overall experience of your website.