How to Build an Awesome, Good Looking Website

This month’s TOP Radio podcast features one of TOP’s regular graphics design experts, Rachael Acklin, also known as the Caffeinated Elf.  We’re talking about making website look awesome – a topic that comes up regularly in our recent guidebook launch, Why Your Website Sucks – and How to Fix It.

Tune In

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Call Time: 56 minutes

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Call Summary

• Good website “visual appeal” starts with knowing who your Ideal Customer is.  Everything starts with your Ideal Customer.
• Many people like to design their sites based on what they like.  That’s ok, as long as it’s what your customers like too!  The easiest way to check is to ask them for feedback.
• Balance is also hard, because you don’t want to be loud and obnoxious.  Big bang is ok sometimes, just make sure you aren’t pushy.
• The best websites exude a personality that helps reinforce that one-on-one conversation that you’re having with your Ideal Customer.
• People love free samples.  People buy more when they know what they’re getting.  Also, when customers can get a free sample, they self select, which means better conversions.
• No stock photography!  Repeat for emphasis: No stock photography!
• Ask yourself how you want your Ideal Customer to feel when they come to your website.
• Not too many typefaces, and make sure your fonts aren’t too small.
• Make sure there is consistency between your website and your other marketing materials.
• Don’t be afraid to have everything just perfect.  Professional with personality is enough.  If you’re not sure you’ve got a good balance, ask someone.
• Don’t be afraid to change things around if needed, but only do so when you have a good reason why (and possibly performance data behind it).  If you aren’t monitoring with a plan, check out our guide to Google Analytics.
• Pictures of people sell travel.  Pictures of you and of your customers.
• Don’t forget the testimonials.
• What is it that you want your website to do?  You have to have an answer to that question, or the rest will be a fail.

Connect with Rachael on Twitter (@caffeinatedelf) or on her website.