Creating a business website: basic dos and don’ts

Creating a website is an essential part of your business. Your website is what customers see first, and it creates a lasting impression about your brand. 

Investing in a strong website design for your business will allow you to keep attracting customers and, in the long-term, increase your ROI. Your site must be well-crafted, responsive, and user-friendly to make an impact. 

Here are the different do’s and don’ts of creating a business website:

Do: understand your audience

Before you even start designing your website, take the time to understand your target audience. Your visitors should find your site intuitive. This means your website should answer different questions your visitors may ask about your brand or business.  

To understand your audience, conduct a thorough market research and audience analysis. Market research helps you gain insights into your audience’s preferences and needs. This knowledge will guide your website’s content, design, and functionality.

Don’t: neglect mobile responsiveness

In an era where mobile devices dominate web traffic, failing to optimize your website for mobile can be a fatal mistake. A responsive design is non-negotiable for business websites. 

Ensure your website looks and functions seamlessly on mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. Choose a responsive design that adapts to different screen sizes as well. Responsive designs ensure a consistent user experience across all devices.

Do: prioritize user-friendly navigation

One of the fundamental principles of web design is intuitive navigation. Customers, whether returning or new, should easily find the information they seek on your website. 

Organize your content logically, use clear menu labels, and provide a search bar if necessary. A cluttered or confusing navigation structure can frustrate users and drive them away. This can affect your ROI and branding since customers won’t have a good time using your website. 

Don’t: overload with visual clutter

While aesthetics are important, resist the temptation to overload your website with visual elements. Excessive animations, pop-ups, and flashy graphics can distract visitors from your core message. Keep your design clean, use white space effectively, and prioritize readability.

Do: invest in high-quality content

Your website’s content is its foundation. Invest in high-quality content that’s both informative and engaging. This includes strong copywriting, captivating images, and possibly other forms of content such as videos or infographics. 

You should also regularly update your content. For instance, if you’re a tech website, keep on pushing new content aligned with the latest tech innovations. 

Don’t: plagiarize or use low-quality images

Plagiarism is a major no-no. Always create original content or use properly licensed material. This can cause major legal consequences and create a bad reputation for your brand. 

In addition, avoid low-resolution images on your website. These images can make your website look unprofessional. Invest in high-quality visuals that enhance your brand’s image.

Do: optimize for search engines (SEO)

SEO is crucial for driving organic traffic to your website. Research relevant keywords, optimize your content, and ensure your site follows SEO best practices. This will help your website rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs).

Don’t: stuff keywords unnaturally

Keyword stuffing can harm your SEO efforts. Google’s algorithms are smart enough to detect keyword stuffing, which can result in penalties.

Instead, write content that flows naturally. Integrate keywords in a way that makes sense to readers. Prioritize well-written content that has a good structure and engages your audience.

Do: prioritize page speed

Fast-loading pages are essential for retaining visitors. Slow websites can lead to high bounce rates and lost customers. To ensure fast-loading pages, you should compress images, minify code, and invest in reliable hosting. 

Don’t: neglect security

Website security is non-negotiable. Protect your website and visitors’ data using HTTPS, keeping your software and plugins up to date, and implementing robust security measures. Data breaches can damage your reputation and cost you dearly.

Do: include clear calls to action (CTAs)

Guide visitors towards desired actions by including clear and persuasive CTAs. Whether signing up for a newsletter, making a purchase, or contacting your team, CTAs should stand out and be strategically placed throughout your website.

Don’t: make CTAs overly intrusive

While CTAs are important, avoid making them intrusive or pushy. Pop-up ads or aggressive marketing tactics can annoy users and drive them away. 

Strike a balance between visibility and user-friendliness. This can make your CTAs more appealing so that people don’t feel forced to buy your products or services.

Do: test and optimize continuously

Your website is not a static entity. Regularly test different elements, such as headlines, images, and CTAs, to see what resonates best with your audience. Use tools like A/B testing to make data-driven decisions and continuously improve your site’s performance.

Don’t: neglect analytics

Analytics tools like Google Analytics provide valuable insights into your website’s performance. Monitor metrics like traffic, conversion rates, and bounce rates. Use this data to identify areas that need improvement and make informed decisions.

The bottom line

Nowadays, your business website represents you as a brand. A well-designed website will attract more customers so your business can continue making money. 

By keeping these do’s and don’ts in mind, you can make a website that not only showcases your brand effectively but also maximises its potential for success.

If you have a web design project you want to run by us, we’d love to chat! MintTwist is a London based agency that thrives off helping brands with their marketing goals. To learn more about us and what we can do for you, get in touch today to start a discussion.