Key Principles & Tips on How to Make a Website

For those who are looking at how to make a website, sometimes you can get a little engrossed in the area of your interest. For example if you are a creative designer, you may want to be focused on the design aspect of it. Whereas if you are a functional person, you may think of the architecture of your website without looking enough into design.

Principles of effective web design by Steve Jobs

1.  Content & how to design website

• Content Marketing is key to driving your website. New, fresh, relevant content - to drive your online marketing strategy

2.  Usability

• Ensure that the customer journey is aligned with your planned Online Marketing Strategy

• Focus on content & utility over graphics

• Ensure that you conduct Usability Testing to gain insights for improvement and gauging.

3.  Consistency

• Tone of voice

• Buyer persona attention maintenance

• Design

• Reliability

• Brand

• Service

4.  Speed

• Optimal and responsive

5.  Navigation

• Architecture of information (primary, secondary / menus and submenus)

• Internal and External linking

• Seamless navigation, easy, clear, intuitive

• Leading the customer successfully through your Online Marketing Strategy

• Navigation filters

Navigational abilities of your website

6.  Interactivity

• Pictures, Charts, Videos

• Content, Forms, Applications / Widgets

• Online Chat

• Feedback (ratings, reviews, comments, forums, ask a question)

• Social Media

• Surveys and Polls

• Contests

• Downloads

• Gamification

7.  Visual Design

1. Aesthetically attractive to the Buyer Personas identified in the Online Marketing Strategy

2. Typography

3. Brand Corporate Identity

4. White space helps readers scan and avoid overload

Here's another take on it:

Designing a website involves several steps, from planning and conceptualizing to implementation and testing.

STEPS ON HOW TO MAKE YOUR WEBSITE:

1. Define Your Goals:

• Determine the purpose of your website. Is it for business, personal blogging, e-commerce, portfolio display, or something else?

2. Research and Planning:

• Research your target audience, competitors, and industry trends.

• Create a site map to outline the structure and hierarchy of your website's pages.

3. Choose a Domain Name and Hosting:

• Select a domain name that reflects your brand and is easy to remember.

• Choose a reliable web hosting provider that suits your needs and budget.

4. Select a Content Management System (CMS):

• Popular CMS options include WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal. Choose one that aligns with your website's requirements and your familiarity with the platform.

5. Design and Layout:

• Design the visual layout of your website, including colors, fonts, and overall style.

• Create wireframes or mockups to plan the placement of elements on each page.

• Ensure a responsive design that works well on various devices (desktop, tablet, mobile).

6. Content Creation:

• Create high-quality, relevant, and engaging content for your website. This includes text, images, videos, and other multimedia elements.

7. Development:

• Build your website using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript or by customizing your chosen CMS.

• Incorporate necessary features, such as contact forms, e-commerce functionality, or user registration.

8. Optimize for SEO:

• Implement on-page SEO techniques, including keyword optimization, meta tags, and a clean URL structure.

9. Testing:

• Test your website's functionality and appearance across different browsers, devices, and screen sizes.

• Check for broken links, load times, and mobile responsiveness.

10. Security:

• Implement security measures, such as SSL certificates and regular backups, to protect your website from threats and data loss.

11. Launch:

• Once you are satisfied with the design and functionality, publish your website to the web.

12. Promotion:

• Promote your website through various channels, including social media, email marketing, and SEO.

• Monitor and analyze website traffic using tools like Google Analytics.

13. Maintenance:

• Regularly update your content, plugins, and security features.

• Address any technical issues or bugs that may arise over time.

14. Gather Feedback:

• Collect user feedback and make improvements based on their suggestions.

15. Scaling and Expansion:

• As your website grows, consider adding more features, expanding your content, or enhancing your user experience.

Remember that web design is an ongoing process. It's crucial to stay updated on design trends and technology advancements and continuously improve your website to meet the changing needs of your audience.

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