What makes a great website?
A great website combines several key elements to create an engaging, user-friendly, and effective online presence. Here are some of the most important factors:
- User Experience (UX): A great website is easy to navigate, with a clear structure and intuitive design. Users should be able to find what they’re looking for quickly and easily.
- Responsive Design: The website should look and function well on all devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. This ensures a consistent experience for all users.
- Fast Loading Times: Speed is crucial. A slow website can frustrate users and lead to higher bounce rates. Optimizing images, using efficient coding practices, and leveraging fast hosting can help.
- Compelling Content: High-quality, relevant content that speaks to your audience’s needs and interests is essential. This includes well-written text, engaging images, and informative videos.
- SEO Optimization: A great website is optimized for search engines, making it easier for potential customers to find you. This involves using relevant keywords, meta tags, and creating high-quality backlinks.
- Security: Protecting user data and ensuring a secure browsing experience is vital. This includes using HTTPS, secure hosting, and regular updates to software and plugins.
- Clear Call-to-Actions (CTAs): Effective CTAs guide users towards taking desired actions, such as making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or contacting you for more information.
- Brand Consistency: The website should reflect your brand’s identity, including colors, fonts, and overall style. Consistency helps build trust and recognition.
- Accessibility: A great website is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. This involves using alt text for images, ensuring good contrast, and making the site navigable via keyboard.
- Analytics and Feedback: Using tools like Google Analytics to track user behavior and gather feedback can help you continuously improve your website.
By focusing on these elements, you can create a website that not only looks great but also effectively serves your audience and achieves your business goals.
What questions do you ask a client when starting a new project?
These are some of the questions we’ll ask new clients…
- Business Goals:
- What are the primary objectives of your website? (e.g., increase sales, generate leads, provide information)
- Who is your target audience?
- Branding and Design:
- Do you have existing branding guidelines (logos, colors, fonts) that we should follow?
- Are there any websites you particularly like or dislike? Why?
- Content:
- What type of content will you need? (e.g., text, images, videos, blogs)
- Do you have existing content, or will new content need to be created?
- Functionality:
- What specific features do you need? (e.g., e-commerce, contact forms, booking systems)
- Are there any third-party integrations required? (e.g., CRM, social media, payment gateways)
- SEO and Marketing:
- Do you have an SEO strategy in place, or will you need assistance with this?
- How do you plan to drive traffic to your website? (e.g., social media, email marketing, paid ads)
- Technical Requirements:
- Do you have a preferred content management system (CMS), such as WordPress?
- Are there any specific technical requirements or constraints we should be aware of?
- Budget and Timeline:
- What is your budget for this project?
- What is your desired timeline for completion?
- Maintenance and Support:
- Will you need ongoing maintenance and support after the website is launched?
- Who will be responsible for updating the website content?
- Competitors:
- Who are your main competitors, and what do you like or dislike about their websites?
- Success Metrics:
- How would you measure the success of your website? (e.g., traffic, conversions, user engagement)
What do you love most about creating websites and hosting them?
I absolutely love helping small businesses and mom-and-pop shops grow their presence online. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how a well-crafted digital strategy can make a significant impact on their business. By enhancing their online visibility, I help them reach a broader audience, which in turn boosts their sales and customer base.
But it’s not just about the numbers. It’s about the people behind these businesses—the families who rely on their success and the local communities that benefit from their services. When these businesses thrive, they create jobs, support local economies, and foster a sense of community. Knowing that my efforts contribute to their growth and success is deeply fulfilling. It’s a joy to see these businesses flourish and to know that I’ve played a part in their journey.
What inspired you to start making websites?
I [Collin] was inspired to start my website design agency out of a deep frustration with the website design industry. I saw firsthand how many small family businesses were being taken advantage of—overcharged for subpar services, locked into unfair contracts, and left without the support they needed to truly succeed online. It was disheartening to see these hardworking families struggle because they couldn’t find a trustworthy partner to help them navigate the digital landscape.
Determined to make a difference, I decided to create an agency that prioritizes honesty, transparency, and genuine support. My goal is to empower small businesses with beautiful, functional websites that help them grow and thrive. By offering fair pricing, personalized service, and ongoing support, I aim to build lasting relationships with my clients and make a positive impact on their businesses and communities.
Why should we choose you to make our website?
Clients, especially small family businesses, mom-and-pop shops, and startups, should choose me as their website design partner because I offer fair pricing and take a proactive interest in their success. I understand the unique challenges these businesses face and am committed to providing them with the tools and support they need to thrive online.
My journey into website design and hosting began with a desire to help these businesses get off the ground and grow. I saw how many were struggling to establish a strong online presence due to high costs and lack of reliable support. This inspired me to create a service that prioritizes their needs, offering affordable, high-quality website solutions tailored to their specific goals.
By choosing me, clients can expect personalized attention, transparent communication, and a genuine commitment to their success. I am passionate about seeing small businesses flourish and am dedicated to being a trusted partner in their journey.
Can you provide your services online or remotely?
We provide website design services remotely, allowing me to help small mom-and-pop businesses all over the US, Canada, and occasionally the UK. My team and I specialize in getting their websites launched and secured with super-fast, reliable hosting, along with ongoing support and maintenance.
With decades of experience in systems and process development, having started creating websites in 1997, we have honed our skills to deliver top-notch services. Our remote capabilities mean that no matter where your business is located, we can offer personalized, high-quality website solutions tailored to your needs.
We are dedicated to continuously supporting small businesses, ensuring their online presence is strong, secure, and effective. Our proactive approach and commitment to your success mean you can trust us to be a reliable partner in your journey to grow and thrive online.
What changes have you made to keep your customers safe from Covid-19?
By working with us remotely, we significantly decrease everyone’s exposure to Covid-19. This approach ensures that we can continue to provide top-notch website design services while prioritizing the health and safety of our clients and team members.
In the rare event that we need to meet face-to-face, we observe strict sanitary practices to protect all of us. This includes wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, and using hand sanitizers. Our commitment to these practices ensures that we can safely collaborate and achieve your business goals without compromising anyone’s well-being.
