7 ways to make sure your website rules

Most things in life can be broken down into two categories: they either rule, or they suck. Websites are no different.

Why go to the trouble of creating a website if that website sucks? It’s not going to do you or your business any good, right?

So follow these 7 tips to make sure your website rules.

1. Pick a sensible domain name

This should go without saying, but I’m going to say it anyway: a hard-to-remember domain name is hard to remember. Mind-blowing, I know.

You want people to easily find you, and the best way to do that is to create a domain name that is easy to remember. A great way to find out if a domain name you’re favoring is available is by plugging it in to Name Your .Co. You can see if the name is available on Twitter and Facebook, as well. (Tip: make sure to click the “.com” extension on the left.)

2. Provide a clear description

Google “how long do users stay on a website” and you’ll get a variety of answers, but the bottom line is this: not long. You have just a few seconds to assure those who reach your site they’ve come to the right place, and if those seconds are spent trying to figure out what your company is about, you’ve already lost their business. So make it clear from your homepage who you are and what you do.

3. Make your contact info easy to find

Customers want to know they can easily get in contact with you. Therefore, include a contact page on your site, and put your contact info on Every. Single. Page. Of your site.

Also! Make sure you give them multiple ways to contact you. People these days aren’t as cool with over-the-phone, human contact as they used to be, so make sure you include an email address, and links to your social media pages, so people can yell at you anonymously from the safety of their homes. Just kidding! But not really.

4. Collect testimonials

If you’re conducting business via your site, testimonials are a great way to show potential customers that real, live humans have done business with you and can verify that you’re as amazing as you say you are. It’s called social proof, it means more coming from others, and it’s a great way to build trust.

5. Include a clear call to action

What do you want from visitors to your site? Do you want them to sign up for your newsletter? Add an item to their shopping cart? Or call you for an estimate? Tell them so.

Don’t assume your visitors will do what you want them to do on their own — you have to lead them by the hand. State what you want clearly, with an easy-to-find button or headline. For example: “Click here to start your free trial.” Boom.

Here’s another example from the Buildicus homepage:

6. Write quality content

One thing you hear a lot lately when it comes to online marketing is that your site has to have quality content. What does that mean, exactly? Emails, blog posts and ebooks are all good ways to educate folks about your industry and your business.

7. Use responsive web design

Look at the people around you. How many are staring at their phones or iPads right now? Nearly all of them, I’d wager.

People no longer do all of their searching from a home computer. Therefore, your site has to function on computers, tablets, and mobile phones. And that means you need to find a responsive website builder like Buildicus. We make sure all websites created with our program look good on all devices.

What am I missing? Tell me what you think a website needs to include in order to rule.