Things To Know Before Building A Website
Web Development
Build a Strong Foundation: Key insights on platform choice, design, SEO, and user experience to help your website achieve business goals.
Written & reviewed by
Darin Thomson
Last reviewed on Oct 26, 2024
Building a website involves various crucial steps to ensure your business thrives online. Whether you’re learning how to start a website or exploring the best way to build a website, proper planning and execution are essential. Following a clear roadmap will help you achieve your online goals and deliver a seamless experience for your users.
1. Define Your Purpose and Audience
Before you jump into design and development, clarify the purpose of your website. Are you trying to generate leads, sell products, or simply establish an online presence? Defining the goal of your site will dictate the platform you choose, the design you implement, and how you build your content. Read more about good website design here Wix Studio.
2. Choose the Right Platform
Once you’ve nailed down your goals, it's time to select the right platform for building your website. Not all platforms are created equal, so understanding your needs in terms of ease of use, customization, and budget is essential.
Below is a comparison of some popular platforms:
Platform
Ease of Use
Customization Options
Cost
User-friendly, drag-and-drop editor
Moderate customization through apps
Free plan available, premium from $14/month
Steeper learning curve
Highly customizable with plugins and themes
Free, but hosting and plugins cost extra
Simple and beginner-friendly
Basic design templates, limited apps
Free plan available, premium from $6/month
If you’re not inclined to deal with the technical aspects, you may opt for Thomson Media Agency’s custom website building services, where we handle everything, from design to implementation, based on your business requirements.
3. Prioritize Responsive Design and SEO
Consider layout, color schemes, and easy navigation as your top priorities. Additionally, mobile responsiveness is vital. Over 50% of internet traffic now comes from mobile devices, so ensuring that your site performs well on smartphones and tablets is essential. To get insights on how to make your website user-friendly, check out this article from Forbes. While your site should look visually appealing, it’s equally important to create an intuitive and seamless user experience.
4. Focus on User Experience and Performance
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) ensures your website ranks higher in search results. Without proper SEO, even the most beautifully designed website may not attract visitors. Implement SEO strategies like:
Keyword Research: Find the terms your audience is searching for.
On-page Optimization: Focus on content structure, meta descriptions, and alt-text for images.
Technical SEO: Ensure fast load times and mobile compatibility.
When optimizing your website for search engines, think about long-tail low competition keywords to capture more specific searches and rank on top. You can find additional tips in this Wix Studio article.
Key Takeaways
Define the purpose of your website to guide its development.
Choose the right platform based on your needs, budget, and technical skills.
Focus on website design and user experience to keep visitors engaged.
Don’t forget to implement SEO strategies to rank higher in search results.
By following these guidelines, anyone can create a website that not only looks professional but also meets their business goals. And if the process seems overwhelming, Thomson Media Agency offers tailor-made solutions to get you up and running efficiently.
Visit Thomson Media Agency to explore more ways, we can help amplify your digital presence.
For more insights,
a list of some of our other articles.