Building an effective website: Essential features to include

Transform your website from a digital desert to the talk of the town with these no-brainer features – because if your site's still sporting a visitor counter, we need to talk.

Kirill

Feb 16, 2024 — 3 min read

Building an Effective Website: The No-BS Guide

Listen up buttercup, we're going to build a website that's more effective than a cat video on a boring Tuesday afternoon. Get ready to tickle the keyboard like a pro and give “meh” websites a run for their money.

1. Mobile-Freaking-Responsiveness

If your website isn't as smooth on mobile as a bald head under a strobe light, you're doing it wrong. Approximately more than half of the internet’s traffic comes from mobile devices. So unless you want to wave goodbye to those visitors like they're boarding the last lifeboat on the Titanic, make sure your site looks good on any gadget.

2. Lightning-Fast Load Times

Waiting for a website to load is like being stuck in line behind the person who still writes checks. Ain't nobody got time for that! Trim the digital fat and keep your load times shorter than a goldfish's attention span. Your visitors will thank you, assuming they haven’t left to watch paint dry.

If finding a contact page on your site is like a game of Where's Waldo, you need to fix that pronto. Opt for simple, intuitive navigation. Your menu should be as predictable as a sitcom laugh track.

4. About Page With Some Pizzazz

People want to know who's behind the magic. But please, don't make your About page as dull as a dishwasher manual. Add some personality! But keep it shorter than a tweet from someone with a short attention... oh look, a squirrel!

5. Call To Action That Actually Calls To Action

Your call to action should be as enticing as grandma's apple pie, not a bland "click here" that’s about as exciting as a dentist appointment. Use action verbs and a little pizzaz to coax users into clicking where you want them to. Be the circus ringmaster of your web page – direct your visitors with flair!

6. Content That Isn't Snoozeville, Population: Your Website

Quality content is like a unicorn in a field of donkeys – rare and captivating. Ensure your website’s content wouldn't make even an insomniac snore. Be useful, be original, be interesting, or be ignored!

7. Contact Info That You Can Actually Contact

It's shocking how many websites treat contact information like it's top-secret. Don't make your contact info play a game of hide-and-seek with visitors. Display it proudly, like a peacock showing off its feathers during mating season.

8. Security Tighter Than Fort Knox

Security isn't a joke, folks. Just like you wouldn't broadcast your Social Security number on a billboard, protect your website with HTTPS. Not only is it essential for protecting your and your visitors' data, but Google also gives secure sites a thumbs up, like a digital seal of approval.

9. Testimonials That Don't Sound Like Your Mom Wrote Them

Let's be real, even your mom wouldn't be convinced by generic, over-the-top praise. Include testimonials that sound human, not a robot programmed to compliment. Real talk from real people, that’s the good stuff.

10. A Design That Doesn't Hurt The Eyes

A website that’s easier on the eyes than a sunset on a beach is key. Don't use colors that scream louder than a toddler with a megaphone. A tasteful palette and readable fonts can be the difference between "Wowzers!" and "My eyes! My poor eyes!"

Remember, creating an effective website is like throwing a party. Make it inviting, keep the energy high, don't run out of snacks (content), and for the sake of all things digital, don't let it get boring! Now go forth and conquer the web, one pixel at a time!