Boosting Website Performance
Your website should be the face of your business. In an age of online shopping, strategic marketing, and increasingly intricate SEO, your website needs to perform above the rest to reach to your target audience – but how?
Today, we’d like to take a look at the top no-negotiation tactics that web developers employ to get your site noticed.
Hosting
Hosting is vast and complex for anyone who isn’t tech savvy but there are plenty of suppliers who can do a great job for a great price.
There are several important factors to consider when selecting a web host; how much traffic do you think your site will have, what functions do you need the site to fulfil, and what tasks do you wish to accomplish with the site.
If your site functions as an e-commerce service, page load time, full graphics, backups, and uptime are of great importance. It’s important to note that the cheapest option definitely isn’t always the best here as your sit becoming slow or crashing could mean the difference between making a sale and missing out.
Page Layout
Balancing design and brand alongside page loading speed, usability, and SEO is surely a skill. It is also important to pay attention to the overall structural system of the website. Consistency is key when it comes to page layout.
Basic navigational commands and functionality should be the same from page to page. Pay attention to the site’s accessibility and how it guides the user from one page to another.
Font Control
Design can affect usability. Too many disparate font styles, graphics, and moving objects can slow down the website and can make it difficult for the user to use.
Not to mention the site should look unified and appealing. Graphic and web designers will be well-experienced in hitting the right balance so make sure to ask questions and take their advice.
Mobile and Tablets
Users are increasingly using phones and other devices to view websites so it’s imperative that your site performs as well on PC as it does on smaller devices. Everything from function, to design, and page scroll is important.
Having many pages to display your offering is great but making sure users can easily access and view them on their mobile is better. Think about your page layout and whether reading and viewing the content on a smaller screen is still accessible.
Well-Written Content
It should go without saying that having well-written content is necessary for a well-designed website.
Well written content lends an air of professionalism and expertise to the site; it also engages the reader. Be sure to practice work economy. Use only the number of words necessary to make your point. Practising word economy has more impact; additionally, it makes your pages load more quickly.
Written content will also affect the SEO and how users find your website. Consider hitting those keywords regularly without compromising on readability.
Feedback
User testing is the sure fire way to get high-quality feedback directly from those who will use it the most. Focus groups and A/B testing is irreplaceable, and may offer some previously unconsidered insights.
Use the Cloud
Many web hosting services offer cloud-based monitoring. Taking advantage of this powerful tool means that any problems with website functionality can be dealt with regardless of where the website owner is located.
Videos & Other Media
Media will all contribute to the overall look and feel of your site’s design. Well-imbedded videos, graphics, and good-looking design can be enticing but it’s important to vet your site prior. Media like videos is very demanding so you’ll want to ensure that your hosting service si able to manage it.
6B have worked with a variety of private and public sector clients, from Public Health England and NHS Trusts to Candy Kittens and more, and we understand what is important to you. We have the skill, resources, and expertise to deliver a variety of projects on time, in budget, and to a high quality.
For more information on what services we offer and how we can help you become more accessible to your audience, take a look at our Services page.
What to join the 6B team? We’re always looking for dynamic and talented individuals to join us. Browse our Career Opportunities or email us at info@6bdigital.com