How to Improve a Website’s Performance – 6 Audit Questions to Ask
The importance of having an strong online presence in today’s digital era cannot be overstated, and the knowledge of how to improve a website for this purpose has never been more valuable. A well-designed and optimised website can serve as a powerful marketing tool, attracting potential customers and driving growth. However, creating a successful website is not a one-time task. It requires continuous evaluation and improvement.
In this blog post, we will delve into six crucial audit questions that every business should ask to enhance their website’s performance and learn how to improve a website to achieve its goals.
Why Every Business Should Have a Website
First of all, let’s answer a question that we hope is obvious, but just in case… In a world where consumers rely heavily on the internet for information, products, and services, having a website is essential for businesses of all sizes. A website serves as a virtual storefront, providing a platform to showcase your products or services, establish credibility, and reach a wider audience. It acts as a 24/7 salesperson, generating leads and driving conversions even when you’re not actively working.
6 Questions for Your Audit to Improve a Website
1) What is your website used for & what do you want it to achieve?
Before diving into the details, it’s important to clearly define the purpose of your website. Do you want to generate leads, sell products, provide information, or all of the above? Understanding your website’s goals will help you align your design, content, and marketing strategies accordingly.
2) Is your website currently generating leads?
A successful website should be able to attract and convert visitors into leads. Analyse your website’s traffic, conversion rates, and lead generation mechanisms, such as contact forms or newsletter sign-ups. Identify areas where improvements can be made to boost lead generation.
3) How good is your user experience (UX) & user interface (UI)?
User experience (UX) and user interface (UI) play a crucial role in determining the success of a website. UX refers to the overall experience users have while interacting with your website, including ease of navigation, page load speed, and accessibility. UI focuses on visual elements, such as layout, colours, and typography.
This blog by UX Collective, interestingly dissects lessons in UX we can learn from a 17th-century war ship disaster. Further proving that in website design it’s not just about the features and the look, it’s also important to balance it with functionality.
Be sure to conduct an evaluation of your website’s UX and UI to ensure a seamless and engaging experience for your visitors.
4) Does your website rank for relevant keywords?
Keywords are the words or phrases that people use to search for information online. Optimising your website’s content for relevant keywords can significantly improve its visibility in search engine results. It’s important to use keyword research tools to identify the keywords your target audience is using and analyse your website’s current search engine rankings. Add keywords to your content and optimise meta tags and descriptions with these phrases to improve your website’s rankings on Google and other search engines.
5) What is the target audience of your website?
Understanding your target audience is vital for effective website design and content creation. Identify your target market, their needs, preferences, and browsing behaviour. Tailor your website’s design, messaging, and calls to action to resonate with your target audience, ultimately driving higher engagement and conversions.
6) Does your website reflect your brand guidelines?
Consistency in branding is key to building a strong online presence. Review your website’s design, colours, fonts, and imagery to ensure they align with your brand guidelines such as sustainability, authenticity or innovation etc. Consistent branding across your website and other marketing channels will help reinforce your brand identity and build trust with your audience.
Conclusion
Regularly auditing your website is essential for its success. We hope that this blog has helped you understand how to improve a website and its performance. Remember, creating a successful website is an ongoing process, and partnering with a reliable website development company, like us here at Disruptor Media, can provide the expertise and support you need to build a customised web design that drives results.