In 2024, having a good website will be more important than ever before. We rely on the internet for everything from shopping to socializing. So businesses and individuals alike must ensure that their websites meet certain standards to remain competitive. In this blog post, we'll explore what makes a website good. We’ll also provide you with a handy "what makes a website good checklist" to help you succeed in the years to come. 

What makes a good website?

A good website is paramount in the year 2024. Gone are the days when a simple and outdated website could suffice. Now, web design can really impact a business's success. A well-designed website has become a necessity for businesses to stay relevant and competitive in their industries.

When it comes to attracting potential customers online, your website is your first impression. Businesses can’t afford to have a website that is outdated. You don’t want a site that’s slow or difficult to navigate. A website should deliver a positive and seamless user experience to attract and retain website visitors. It only takes 0.05 seconds for visitors to form a first impression of your website. Therefore, it is crucial to have a good website as your first impression can either break or make your business.

User experience is a critical factor to consider when designing your website. User experience involves the ease of use and accessibility of your website by visitors. This includes the layout, navigation, and overall visual appeal of the website. A website that is easy to navigate, clear and concise in its messaging, and visually appealing will increase the likelihood of visitors staying on the site longer and potentially converting into customers.

User experience: prioritizing ease of use and accessibility

A website that is easy to use and easily accessible will enhance the user experience. Plus, it will increase user engagement and conversion rates. So how do you ensure a good user experience? Your website should be easy to use. This helps users find what they’re looking for quickly and seamlessly.

Accessibility

Accessibility is another important aspect of UX. It’s something definitely worth prioritizing. People with disabilities or limitations may have difficulties accessing or using certain features of your website. This can lead to frustration and dissatisfaction. You can improve accessibility by implementing features like captions, descriptions, and alt tags for images and videos. Also, use a color scheme with sufficient contrast. 

Optimized for mobile devices

The majority of web traffic comes from mobile devices. That’s why you should ensure your website is optimized for mobile devices. A responsive design is key to mobile optimization because it allows your website to adapt to different screen sizes and devices seamlessly. This offers a better user experience. Plus, it improves your website's SEO ranking.

Fast website

If your website's pages load slowly, this can lead to high bounce rates. And this can negatively affect the success of your website. So ensure that your website is optimized for faster load speeds. You can achieve this by implementing techniques like image optimization, caching, and using a content delivery network (CDN). A fast-loading website will keep your users engaged. It can also make your site rank higher. Ultimately, a great website can improve your conversion rates.

Mobile optimization: ensuring your website is responsive and mobile-friendly

In the world of online browsing, mobile optimization is one of the most crucial aspects that websites need to consider in 2024. The number of users on mobile devices is ever-increasing. Websites that are not mobile-friendly may lose potential traffic and customers. So businesses need to ensure that their websites are responsive and mobile-friendly.

Responsive design

Responsive design means that the website adjusts itself based on the device's screen size. This makes it easier for users to navigate through the website's content. This helps in encouraging users to stay on your site for longer. Additionally, mobile-friendly websites are often easier to use. They have larger buttons and simplified navigation for a better user experience.

Fast loading

However, mobile optimization is not just about design; website owners also need to ensure that the website loads quickly on mobile devices. A website that takes too long to load may lose visitors altogether. Let’s say your website takes more than a couple of seconds to load. Then many users are more likely to abandon it. Businesses need to optimize their website's images and content, such as minimizing file sizes, to improve website speed.

Optimized content

Moreover, mobile users often require different information than desktop users, so businesses need to consider creating content suited to mobile devices. For example, mobile users often need to know where the nearest location is, and they might be interested in current promotions or offers. Therefore, businesses should optimize their content to match their mobile audience's needs for a better user experience.

Content quality: why high-quality content is essential for your website's success

Content is king. The quality of your website’s content makes a huge difference. High-quality content attracts visitors. It keeps them engaged and interested in what your brand has to offer. It can also improve your search engine rankings and bring in more leads and sales.

Cater to your audience

Creating high-quality content can seem daunting. But it's not impossible. Start by identifying your target audience and their needs. What questions are they asking? What challenges are they facing? Conduct keyword research to gain more insights on user intent. From there, create content that provides answers and solutions that address those needs. Your content should be informative and engaging. Moreover, it should be relevant to your target audience.

Update your content

It's also important to continually update your website with fresh content. This can be in the form of new blog posts. You could post updated pages or other types of content. Visitors will keep coming back to your website if you have updated content. In turn, this improves your search engine rankings.

Create quality content

Your website’s content must be well-written. It should be professional and error-free. Poorly written content can be a major turnoff to visitors and can make your brand seem unprofessional. So proofread and edit your content. Or consider hiring a professional writer. They can help you create high-quality, polished content.

Security features: how to ensure your website is safe and secure in 2024

The number of cyber threats is ever-increasing. So protecting your website and your user's data should be a top priority. Websites that suffer from security breaches will damage their reputation. They’ll also lose the trust of their users. Thus, implementing security features is necessary. This helps secure your website from hackers and potential cyber-attacks.

Your website should have SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certification. This feature ensures that customer data is encrypted and secured during online transactions. Google also rewards websites that have SSL certification, which can boost your website's search engine rankings. Another security feature is a firewall. This prevents unauthorized access to your website. Having a firewall can block unwanted traffic and protect your website from malicious attacks.

Regular backups of your website are also crucial to lessen the impact of any potential security breaches. With routine website backup, you can quickly recover your website in case of any unexpected events, avoiding significant data loss. You should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA). MFA requires users to provide two or more authentication factors to access their accounts, such as a password and a verification code, thus increasing account security.

Your website's security can affect your business's reputation. So implementing security features should be a top priority. SSL certification, firewalls, routine backups, and MFA are all essential security features that you should consider having on your website. By taking these security measures, you are ensuring your website's protection. Plus, you’re protecting your users' data and privacy.

Implementing your "what makes a website good checklist" for success

Creating a perfect website doesn't happen by chance. You need to clearly understand what makes a good website. And then you can systematically work to create one.

To help you create a successful website in 2024, we have provided a checklist that you can use. Start by prioritizing the user experience. Your website should be easy to use and accessible. Next, optimize your website for mobile devices. Make sure it's responsive and mobile-friendly. Focus on creating high-quality content. It should engage your audience. Top-notch content will keep them coming back for more. Finally, ensure that your website is secure. You can do so by implementing the necessary security features.

Creating a good website is not a one-time task. It requires continuous optimization and improvement. Regularly assess your website's performance and make changes accordingly to keep up with changing user preferences, algorithms of search engines, and security requirements. Over time, your website will help you attract new customers and retain loyal ones.

Let B12 help you create a quality website

Having a good website is crucial. A well-designed website can give your business a competitive edge, provide a positive user experience, and facilitate conversions.

Launch a beautiful, professional website in 30 days or less with B12. Start by seeing a free draft in 60 seconds, then work with expert designers and copywriters to personalize and refine it. Finally, launch it and use client-engaging tools like invoicing, intake, contracts, and more to grow your business.