website practices

Ready to Launch? 5 Best Practices for a Successful New Website

In Blogging by Michael Phelps

The unveiling of your new website is an exciting time for your business. You’ve put in the blood, sweat, and tears, and now you’re ready to reap the rewards. The anticipation is through the roof, but it’s smart to take a step back and give your new site a thorough once-over before you make the launch official.

Why is this important?

Because your website represents you. Think about how many people are going to visit your website first before they make contact through another means or take the time to visit your physical location. A site that doesn’t look or perform in a way that is aligned with your business has the potential to tank your reputation and flatline sales.

You’re better than this. So, before you go live, take the time to check these five items off your web design pre-launch checklist.

Speed Check

One of the most important factors to consider with web design is speed. The people who land at your site have an expectation that it will load basically in the blink of an eye. It doesn’t take more than just a few seconds for the average internet user to lose interest in a site that just doesn’t want to load.

Website Optimization Checklist Click to Download

Responsive design, which optimizes your site’s performance across all types of devices – including mobile, is preferred because it eliminates many speed-related pain points. If you’ve built with responsive design, chances are that speed will be a non-issue. Still, it’s best to test your site speed and ensure it’s up to user expectations before you launch.

Look for Brand Consistency

A well-designed website is capable of carrying your visitors through the entire customer journey – from the first introduction to conversion, and beyond. Having your branding strategy consistently represented throughout your website is key to a frictionless customer journey.

Brand consistency isn’t just about a logo or color scheme. It’s also about the overall look of your site, and how your voice comes through in content – like videos and blogs.

Review the Overall Design

Before you launch, take a look at every individual page and element of your website, and then look at it holistically. Do the designs of individual pages complement each other? What about fonts, spacing, and other graphical elements? Be objective here – does your website look like it was put together by a well-meaning amateur or does it have the polished look of professional web design?

Look at User Experience

Maybe you’ve noticed that the world online is overcrowded with so many businesses trying to elbow each other out of the way. In such a tight, competitive space, little things make a big difference. This is just one reason why user experience (UX) is key.

UX is a term used to describe the overall experience of your site visitors. It includes elements like speed, navigation, visual appeal and the value you provide through web design.

Work with a Pro in Digital Marketing

What’s the number one most effective way of ensuring your website is built to perform before the launch? It’s working with a pro in digital marketing that specializes in web development for businesses just like yours. At Michigan Creative, we build marketing machines that propel your business toward success. Contact us today to learn more about how professional web development services can elevate your brand to new levels or simply begin with a free website assessment from our team.

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