Whether you operate in the B2B or B2C space, having an online presence is crucial. The only problem? Creating one that’s effective can seem daunting. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the top ten tips we think you should know about to create a website that’s truly successful at lead generation.
Tip #1: Define Your Purpose and Audience
Before you dive into the technical aspects of creating a website, take a step back and clearly define your purpose. What is the primary goal of your website? Is it to showcase your portfolio, sell products, or provide information? This will help you tailor your content and overall design so that they resonate with your target audience.
Tip #2: Choose the Right Domain Name
Your domain name is your digital identity. It’s the first thing visitors see, and it plays a crucial role in search engine optimization (SEO). When selecting a domain name, keep it simple, memorable, and relevant to your content. Additionally, try to include your target keyword in the domain if possible. For example, if you’re creating a website to sell handmade crafts, a domain like “CraftyCreations.com” is both catchy and keyword-friendly.
Tip #3: Select a Reliable Website Builder
Not everyone is a coding expert — and that’s perfectly fine! With so many user-friendly website builders available, creating a website has never been easier. Platforms like WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace offer intuitive interfaces and customizable templates that cater to various needs. Choose a platform that aligns with your technical comfort level and provides the features you need to bring your vision to life.
Tip #4: Optimize for Mobile Responsiveness
With the majority of internet users accessing websites via mobile devices, it’s imperative that your website is mobile-friendly. Google prioritizes mobile-friendly websites in its search rankings, making mobile optimization a crucial aspect of website creation.
Ensure that your chosen website builder or theme is responsive. This means that it adjusts seamlessly to different screen sizes, providing a consistent and enjoyable user experience across devices.
Tip #5: Craft Compelling and SEO-Friendly Content
Content is king, especially when it comes to creating a website. That includes using keywords strategically throughout your webpages to improve their visibility with search engine results. Just make sure that you avoid keyword stuffing (the intentional overuse of a keyword to force a better ranking) as search engines prioritize high-quality, relevant information.
Aim for engaging, well-structured material that caters to both your audience and SEO algorithms. Tools like Semrush can help you understand whether your content meets a recommended word count, includes associated keywords, and has an appropriate comprehension level.
Tip #6: Prioritize User-Friendly Navigation
When visitors land on your website, they should be able to easily find what they’re looking for. Implement clear and intuitive navigation that guides visitors through accessible links to different sections of your site. This could be in the form of a menu bar, dropdown menus, or hamburger menus that expand and condense as needed.
When done well, user-friendly navigation encourages visitors to explore more of your content and remain on your website longer.
Tip #7: Integrate High-Quality Visuals
The importance of high-quality visuals cannot be overstated. Whether it’s images, videos, or infographics, incorporate options that complement your written content and enhance the overall aesthetic of your website. Use images that are both relevant to your unique offering and optimized for fast loading times. Similar to navigation, visual appeal creates a positive impression that keeps visitors engaged to learn more.
Tip #8: Implement Strong Calls to Action (CTAs)
Every page on your website should encourage visitors to take a specific action, whether it’s making a purchase, subscribing to a newsletter, contacting you for information, or something else. Use compelling language and eye-catching buttons to draw visitors’ eyes and prompt them to respond. When done well, CTAs contribute to higher conversion rates for successful lead generation.
Tip #9: Ensure Security with SSL Certification
Safeguarding your website and user data is nonnegotiable. Implementing an SSL certificate encrypts information transmitted between your website and its visitors, which improves your digital security and positively influences your SEO. Most hosting providers offer integration of SSL certificates, so it should be easy to enable this crucial feature.
Tip #10: Regularly Update and Maintain Your Website
Creating a website is not a one-and-done task. It requires regular attention and updates to areas like content, page loading speeds, and link accessibility. Performing these updates consistently will signal to search engines that your website is active and relevant.
Additionally, we recommend staying informed about the latest trends and technologies that allow your website to stay modern and competitive.
Now that we’ve covered the fundamental aspects of how to create a website, let’s discuss additional strategies that will elevate your online presence further.
Customize Your Website for a Unique Identity
While website builders offer templates to kickstart your design, customizing your website is crucial to stand out from your competitors. Take advantage of options provided by your chosen platform to tailor its layout and color scheme for a stronger alignment with your brand.
Craft Effective Contact Pages
While a contact page is often underestimated, it plays a pivotal role in fostering the kind of user response you want above all else. Make sure that yours is easily accessible from any page of your website. It should include information like a simple contact form, a relevant email address, an active telephone number, and even a live chat feature if preferred.
Clear contact information builds trust and facilitates communication, whether it’s for customers to ask questions, businesses to offer collaborations, or users to submit general feedback.
Choose the Right Website Host
Your website host is the foundation of your online presence. Selecting a reliable provider will ensure peak performance, security, and uptime. Consider factors such as server speed, customer support, and scalability when choosing a hosting service. You want a provider that is responsive in case any part of your website is disrupted.
Optimize Your Web Hosting
Beyond selecting the right website host, your hosting environment should be continuously optimized. Regularly check for updates, monitor server resources, and consider advanced hosting options like dedicated servers or virtual private servers (VPS) for increased control and performance. All of this translates to faster loading times, better user experiences, and improved SEO rankings.
Create Purposeful Website Pages
We talked before about having a goal or purpose in mind when initially developing your website. We also mentioned the attention to detail you should apply when making contact pages. Both of these concepts extend to the other webpages you may choose to craft that explain your products and services, where each page serves a specific purpose and includes a call to action that will push your leads along the buyer’s journey. Not only does this make sense from an organizational standpoint, it’s also about establishing a strong website ranking.
Tailor Your (B2C) Website for Payments
If you’re B2C rather than B2B, chances are that you’ll want the ability to process online payments, promote customer testimonials, and include robust product or service catalogs. You may also want to incorporate e-commerce functionality, appointment scheduling, or reservation systems.
Are You Ready To Create a Website, or Do You Need Help?
The process to create a website is dynamic and rewarding, and requires careful planning and execution. By following these ten tips and additional strategies, you’ll be well on your way to building one that not only reflects your vision, but also captivates and engages your audience. Remember to strike a balance between creativity, functionality, and optimization that allows your website to compete with others in the same market.
Are you concerned about managing this internally? We want to help! Click the link below to speak with one of our Fractional CMOs who can quarterback your website development with an expert team.
