Whilst many column inches have been devoted to the current economic uncertainty effecting the world, RIFE has won two new awards which got us to thinking, what makes a good website, why do you need one and more importantly how can you achieve similar results with your digital endeavors.We often tell our clients that it’s not only about making pretty pictures, a truly engaging website needs a balanced combination of the essentials to ensure visitors keep coming back for more.
Design
Does your site communicate on the same level as the rest of your collateral? Your website is possibly the most seen part of your armory, whether it’s a Flash-based site with all the bells and whistles or a clean and simple HTML site, it should deliver your message proudly and in the same voice as everything else you do.
Content
Fresh and up-to-date content not only keeps the Search Engines happy, it helps keep those all-important visitors returning to your site for more. Likewise, well-written content and commented images have a similar effect on both.
Feature Functionality
Is your site suited to your business, does it serve the purpose it was intended for? Often businesses overstep the “whizziness” boundary when trying to make the most of their space on the World Wide Web; unfortunately this often ends up with a cluttered and confusing site. For most businesses, less is indeed more; the aim should be to get your messages across in as clear and effective manor as possible.
Usability
If a website is difficult to use, people leave. Intuitive navigation and information structure is paramount to making a user’s stay a pleasant one. People often make assumptions of your business based on how clearly you communicate your offering to them.
Standards Compliance & Cross-Browser Compatibility
Although there is no perfect browser that completely adheres to all standards at any one time, huge advancement has been made by several major web browsers. A well-built, compliant site makes for a consistent user experience across most of these browsers.
