7 Changes to make to your website right now!
So you’ve decided to take the plunge and redesign/revamp your
website. If you are still deciding if a new website is a good idea, read
this article to help you make up your mind. But what exactly needs to
change, other than the obvious errors such as being unresponsive or a
security risk? In this article, we will point out a few things that
should be considered when talking to your new web designer.
1. Security
What platform was your website created on? What security is in place to
protect you? What plug-ins are fighting the hackers off every day?
Unless you have a very good web designer, (look no further than
Dreamkatcha!) the chances are you don’t really know a lot about these
very important features.
Has your website been updated on a regular basis, by this we mean
weekly! Most plug-ins, themes and operating systems are updated as
regularly as every week, anything not updated immediately is a huge
security risk to your website. Make sure the latest security plug-ins
such as Ithemes Security is not only in-place but updated as soon as a
new version is released.
2. Add a CMS (Content Management System)
In todays fast paced and ever changing online market, it is essential
that you can edit or expand your website yourself. With the addition of a
CMS such as WordPress or Joomla, you are largely free to work on your
own site for no extra cost, saving you lots of money for those little
edits here and there. With a platform such as WordPress you can
instantly improve the overall security of your website. It may be the
most commonly hacked type of website, but this is largely due to the
sheer number of WordPress installations out there. As long as it is
set up correctly and kept up to date, you will have access to a great
number of free plug-ins. Utilising these products can enable you to have
valuable security measures in place that would otherwise cost a small
fortune. Why not view some of our projects here.
3. Flexible contact solutions
Does your website have a contact form? The chances are your answer is
yes, but is it performing to the bast of its ability? Simply having a
name, telephone, email and message field will be taking the essentials,
but it could be doing a lot more. Talk to your designer about other
possibilities such as expanding your form criteria to things like area
placement, company details, client budget and even more specific project
requirements. This can help you build a better picture of the project
at hand before you make that initial phone call or email.
4. Email catchment and call to action
Two of the most common additions that we are asked for are opt-in email
catchment forms and a call to action. These features have blown up over
the last few years and everyone is using them. If you want to get
someone’s email address for various reasons, such as newsletters or
promotional work, then having a simple opt-in form is an easy way to
facilitate this. A call to action on specific pages or in a focus area
can give the viewer that extra nudge they need to make that all-important first contact.
5. Speed up your website
If a website is taking an overly long time to load on a mobile device or
computer, the chances are the viewer will simply skip to the next
website on the search engine. Most websites that were created a few
years ago will have outdated code. This may cause the website to run
more slowly or even display completely wrong on some devices. If the
site was created by an amateur then they may have used the wrong types
of images that are not optimised for web use. There could also be
plugins that are unnecessary, incompatible or too bulky for your website.
The list is almost endless, so make sure your designer understands that
a fast website is crucial in these days of mobile website viewing.
6. User interface isn’t everything
Although surveys show that the number one thing viewers want from a
website is good usability, don’t overlook aesthetics. Your website may
be intuitive and easy to navigate, but a high bounce rate could point to
a plain and lifeless design. Many web developers online will claim to
also be a web designer. This is largely uncommon and the results will
always be visible in the final website when posted online. The code may
be of high quality and the site may operate perfectly to your needs, but
if there isn’t the magic injection of creativity there, audiences will
give it a miss. Think about when you are surfing the web – when you
reach a page that has that WOW factor you instantly take an interested
in the contact of the site. Make sure your site has good functionality,
but don’t overlook the importance of creative web design.
7. Hosting and updates
Make sure that your designer (or you) is keeping your website updated.
This will keep your site protected from hackers and malware. It will
also ensure that your website is compatible with any plug-ins or
external Apps that you are running. Also, ensure that your web designer
is using a reputable hosting provider such as Siteground. This will
always leave you in the most capable hands when it comes to site speed,
security and many other optional features that are largely unavailable
or expensive with other providers.
