Whether you’re setting up a website for the first time or revamping an old one, we could all use a refresher from time to time on what resonates with viewers. When I go to a new website, the first thing I notice is speed. We were curious what our viewers thought, so we reached out to our social media audience. It was no surprise we agreed unanimously.

In fact, we learned 39% of people will stop engaging with a website if images won’t load or take too long to load. As important as this is, speed shouldn’t be the only factor in your website design though.

Here are 3 other elements a great website should have:

1. An enticing homepage

When someone goes to your website, they expect you to show them what they should do next. Your homepage should have:

1. Your business/ website name
2. A catchy headline
3. 1-3 calls to action.

Most people are visual learners, so it would help to include relevant images, as well. (Just don’t overdo it. Think quality, not quantity.) Many websites offer a prize, free service or content offer to people who sign up for their newsletter. Including an incentive and a link to sign up may be a great way to generate leads for your business. Facebook.com is a great example of a quick, simple homepage with a call to action. The words are easy to understand and incentivize the customer to sign up.

2. Social media integration

At Vivio, we have our social media links in our site’s right footer. Depending on your website theme or what you discuss with your designer, you could put the social media buttons in the upper right header, footer or wherever you deem appropriate. You know your site best. Where do people look first? And think: what is your objective with the homepage? Are you trying to increase your social media followers, newsletter subscribers or increase leads in another way? Think about this goal when you are designing your site. The few seconds it takes to install a social media widget is well worth it. (Bonus: whether you have a free or paid site, the widget is included free 99% of the time.)

 

3. A blog (with useful content!)

If you enjoy writing random blog articles that may have not have a lot of direction, they would probably serve you better on your personal Facebook page. If you are operating a business or a website you intend to make profitable, having a solid blog strategy and great content is crucial. According to Hubspot, marketers who have prioritized blogging are 13x more likely to have a positive ROI. At Vivio, we do a blog post every Thursday with interesting content for our readers. See our blog below to get an idea of what ours looks like.

 

Keep in mind every business’s blog strategy may be a little different. It’s important to find what works best for you and go with it. Try new things, and don’t be afraid to make a mistake. Mistakes provide great learning experiences.

Ready to set up your website? Browse our site or contact us today for a quote on website hosting services.