I see my website as my own personal digital storefront. It’s the first impression many customers will have of my business, and trust me—first impressions matter. I’ve learned this lesson the hard way back when my first website was clunky, confusing, and anything but user-friendly. So, what makes a good website? After trial and error and plenty of observation, I’ve found a good website is one that offers a seamless experience for every visitor. Your website should be fast, functional, secure, accessible, and packed with content that resonates with your audience.
From design to accessibility to SEO, every piece plays a role in converting visitors into loyal customers. Here’s my breakdown of what makes a good website:
- Clear purpose and user goals
- Simple, clean, and intuitive design
- Fast load times and performance
- High-quality, relevant content
- SEO-friendly structure
- Security and trustworthiness
- Accessibility for all users
- Easy-to-find contact information
- Analytics and continuous improvement
What makes a good website? It’s all about balancing form and function. Here are the top tips and tricks I use to make my website truly stand out.
Clear Purpose and User Goals
A good website starts with clarity. If you don’t know what your site is supposed to achieve, how can your users figure it out? From my experience, the best websites align perfectly with the needs of their audience.
- Understand Your Purpose: Every site needs a mission. Is it to sell products, share knowledge, or entertain? Nail down your purpose, and design everything around it.
- Make It User-Centric: Your audience comes first. An e-commerce site should have an intuitive checkout process, while a blog should make content easy to find. User needs should drive every design and content decision.
Simple, Clean, and Intuitive Design
Let me tell you something: flashy websites don’t equal functional websites. I’ve seen businesses spend thousands on elaborate designs, only to confuse their visitors. A simple, clean layout works wonders.
- Minimal Distractions: Less is more. Clear navigation, organized layouts, and minimal pop-ups keep users focused on what matters.
- Intuitive Navigation: Make sure menus are clear, buttons are easy to find, and categories make sense. Nobody wants to dig through a maze to find your contact page.
- Responsive Design: Over half of web traffic comes from mobile. If your site doesn’t look good on a smartphone, you’re losing customers.
- Use White Space Wisely: Don’t cram your pages with content. White space improves readability and keeps your site looking professional.
Fast Load Times and Performance
People are impatient—me included. If your website takes more than three seconds to load, most visitors will leave. Speed is important for user experience and, in turn, search engine optimization (SEO).
- Compress Images: Large image files are a common culprit for slow sites. Use tools to shrink them without losing quality.
- Optimize Your Code: Clean up unnecessary elements in your code to make your site run more efficiently.
- Utilize a Content Delivery Network (CDN): CDNs distribute your content globally, ensuring faster load times regardless of a user’s location.
- Track Your Speed: Is your website lagging? SEMrush recommends using tools, like Pingdom, for regular page speed monitoring—and you get instant alerts for issues and recommendations on making your site faster.
High-Quality, Relevant Content
Content is what keeps visitors engaged. From my experience, this is where many websites fall flat—they either skimp on content or overload users with irrelevant information.
- Targeted and Relevant: Your content should speak directly to your audience’s needs and interests. Write for them, not for yourself.
- Keep It Organized: Use headings, bullet points, and visuals to break up long blocks of text. A well-structured page is easier to digest.
- Stay Updated: Outdated content breaks down trust. Regularly review your site to make sure all information is current.
- Be Valuable: Offer insights and/or inspiration. Great content makes people want to come back.
SEO-Friendly Structure
A beautiful website doesn’t help if nobody can find it. That’s where search engine optimization (SEO) comes in. I’ve discovered that even small SEO tweaks can make a big difference in rankings.
- Use Keywords Wisely: Include relevant keywords in titles, meta descriptions, and throughout your content—but don’t overdo it.
- Optimize for Mobile: Google prioritizes mobile-friendly sites in search rankings. If your site isn’t optimized, it’s time to fix that.
- Alt Text and Meta Descriptions: The elements that make your site accessible and help search engines understand your content.
- Keep URLs Clean: A clear, simple URL structure improves SEO and user experience.
Security and Trustworthiness
Visitors won’t stick around if they don’t trust your site. Security isn’t optional. Take the right steps to protect both your business and your customers.
- SSL Certificates: If your URL doesn’t start with “https,” you’re already losing credibility. SSL encrypts data, ensuring secure connections.
- Secure Payment Methods: For e-commerce sites, trusted payment gateways build confidence in customers.
- Showcase Reviews and Testimonials: Social proof goes a long way. Highlight positive feedback to build trust.
- Stay Updated: Regularly update plugins, themes, security patches, and other software considerations to limit vulnerabilities.
Accessibility for All Users
A good website is one that everyone can use. Web accessibility is simply the right thing to do. It’s also important for your SEO efforts.
- Screen Reader Compatibility: Make sure your site works seamlessly with assistive technologies like screen readers.
- Keyboard Navigation: Not everyone uses a mouse. Your site should be easy to navigate with just a keyboard.
- Alt Text for Images: This helps visually impaired users understand your visuals.
- High Contrast and Readable Fonts: Make sure text is easy to read, even for those with visual impairments.
Easy-to-Find Contact Information
You’d be amazed how many websites bury their contact info. If users can’t reach you, they’ll move on.
- Display It Prominently: Your phone number, email, and address should be easy to find on every page.
- Use a Contact Form: For users who prefer not to call or email directly, a simple form can make all the difference.
- Include Social Links: Some people prefer reaching out on platforms like Meta or X. Make it easy—and maybe even fun—for them.
Analytics and Continuous Improvement
A website isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it project. From my experience, continuous improvement based on data is the secret to staying ahead.
- Monitor Performance: Tools like Google Analytics show you where your traffic is coming from and how users interact with your site.
- Identify Pain Points: High bounce rates or low conversions show you areas that need immediate work.
- Iterate and Test: Regular updates keep your site fresh and functional. Don’t be afraid to experiment and refine.
Conclusion
I’ve found that a good website perfectly combines form, function, and purpose. It’s visually appealing, easy to navigate, fast, secure, and packed with valuable content. Whether you’re creating a site from scratch or optimizing an existing one, focusing on these factors will set you up for success.
Not sure where to start? Audit your website today, and get going on these strategies. And if it feels overwhelming, don’t hesitate to reach out for expert help—your website and your brand are well worth it.
