Questions to Review for an Existing Website
There are a number of important factors to consider when reviewing a design for your business web site including
- Is it easy to navigate?
- Is the design too busy? Is there too much information or are there too many photos?
- Is the important information easy to find?
- Does the layout adjust well for viewing on a mobile phone or tablet?
- Will it work and look good on several different web browsers?
- Can people easily find a way to contact me directly?
- What do I want people to do on my website?
- Are all of the components of the website important to its use?
Things to Consider When Designing Your Website
- Try to keep your navigation shallow. That means users shouldn’t have to click more two or three times to get to a page they are interested in. If you can organize your website into broad categories, this should be easy to do.
- Having breadcrumbs or some other navigation cue that helps users know where they are on your site will also simplify navigation and let them know where they are if they enter your website on a page other than your home page.
- Keep a consistent “style” across pages. You want visitors to know they are on the same website when they click in different sections. Keep colors and styles similar across the whole website, with a logo and/or tagline in the main header.
- Personalize your website. Your content should be written as if you are speaking to your customer on a one-on-one basis.
- Establish trust by providing customer testimonials, disclose your privacy policy, have secure ordering, etc.
Home Page Content
While it is important that your home page be visually appealing, the content on the home page is extremely important. This is probably the most important page of your web site. If this page is interesting, explains who you are and what you do, and piques the interest of the visitor, he/she will further investigate your web site and the services you offer.
In light of this fact, you should attempt to have a home page that is simple, clean, and yet attractive. Three things should be on this first page:
- A short description of what the business does or offers
- The name of your business or organization
- How to contact you
Other items that may improve the attractiveness of this home page can be included as well. For example, a photo or two of customers enjoying their experience may appeal to customers. A slogan for your enterprise that states what separates you from other enterprises.