How to Build a Better Website for Your Brand

Introduction

What comes to mind when you think about launching your first website? Maybe learning some programming languages, upgrading your design skills, or taking an online course?

Let us tell you upfront: if you focus on these alone, you risk wasting your time, money, and energy. The success of your website hinges on focusing on the right factors that contribute to long-term growth. Many businesses have made these mistakes, even some that we’ve worked with at PX Media, a trusted web development company in Los Angeles.

You could end up creating a visually stunning site with impressive features, but you will ultimately fail if you neglect the core principles of website development. The true success of any website relies on a deep understanding of your target audience’s psychology and needs.

Plan Your Strategy First

Relying solely on gut feeling will not lead to building a successful website. Without a solid strategy in place, your project could come to an abrupt stop. It’s essential to maintain critical processes, including research and planning.

Failing to invest in research and strategic planning means your efforts could end up in vain. Your website serves as the bridge between your brand and your customers, and it needs to perform seamlessly across all devices and browsers. Issues like broken links, non-responsive pages, or slow loading times are surefire ways to drive visitors away.

It’s vital to keep your visitors’ needs in focus. Studies show that 82% of shoppers conduct online research before making a purchase, and that number rises to 94% for B2B buyers. This clearly demonstrates how competitive the market is. You need to invest time and effort into making your website stand out to keep visitors engaged and prevent them from bouncing away.

Define Clear Goals

Set measurable and achievable goals. Do you want more traffic, or are you focused on generating leads? Be specific about what kind of traffic you need and over what time frame. For example, getting relevant traffic matters more than just increasing the overall number of visitors.

Once your goals are defined in clear terms, you can measure them effectively and build a website that aligns with your broader marketing objectives. Defining your goals beforehand also allows you to identify where you might fall short, enabling you to make the necessary adjustments.

Focus on Your Customers

How can you design your website without considering your customers’ preferences? It’s essential to remember that your website is the primary communication tool between your business and your customers.

To effectively communicate with your audience, create a website that is simple, attractive, and easy to use. Your website is for your customers, not for you. Make sure it offers an experience they will enjoy and find valuable. Include features like Quick Contact Boxes, Live Chat Options, or a simple Contact Us form to make it easy for visitors to reach out. Make sure contact information is easy to find, especially on mobile devices, where it should be prominent at the top of every page. Learn more about our approach to effective web design at PX Media.

Simplify the Buyer’s Journey

Your website visitors can typically be categorized into three types. The first group doesn’t know where to find the solution to their problem, the second group is researching solutions, and the third group is ready to buy.

Design your website with these types of visitors in mind. Each potential customer may be at a different buying stage and may be skeptical about your brand. Your website should instill confidence and build trust, making visitors comfortable enough to explore and eventually convert.

Avoid overwhelming visuals that distract from your message. Instead, highlight the path you want users to take and make it clear. Keep things simple and elegant to provide a great experience. Remember, perception is everything online, and simplicity breeds trust.

Conduct A/B testing to determine which versions of your pages work best. Stick to what works and refine it further. Always remember: “Nothing stands out if everything is bold.” The same rule applies to graphics—keep things balanced to ensure your key message shines through.

Create a Strong Content Strategy

Your website’s content should cater to the needs of your audience, not just focus on search engines. Of course, keywords are important, but they must be incorporated naturally. Avoid content that sounds robotic. Instead, prioritize human-friendly content that provides value to your audience while subtly including key search terms.

Balancing engaging content with good SEO practices will help you not only attract but also retain your target audience, ultimately contributing to a successful website.

Following these principles will help you create a website that not only looks great but also drives results and supports your brand’s goals.