Three Essential Basics for any good modern website

First impressions last! Looking good on the web is important for your business because your website is often your first impression you give to potential customers. First time website visitors will form an opinion about your business based on your company website. Of course, with further research they will look at factors such as customer service, quality, price, etc but only if they overcome a poor first impression.

Can you recall a shrunken down version of a desktop website on your phone? It was probably not an optimal experience! That was your first impression of that website and possibly your impression of the business represented by it. It's a given nowadays that your website is responsive on desktop, tablet and mobile devices but there are other factors you need to consider.

1. Your website needs to be user-friendly on a smartphone.

Mobile design elements need to be considered such as:

• Readable text without requiring pinch and zoom
• Optimal space for finger tap targets
• Clean design using appropriate white (blank) space
• Clear navigation layout to enhance user experience

• Secure Socket Layer (SSL) Certificate needs to be installed
• This provides the https instead of the http in the website's url and a green padlock icon
• Clean design using appropriate white (blank) space
  
• Clear navigation layout to enhance user experience

• Google looks at website usability in terms of layout and design elements
• Websites not optimised for smaller screens will experience a decline in search engine rankings
  
• Website Speed of loading is a factor in Google Search Rankings