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February 23rd, 2024

Building Successful Websites

At Kinetic, we love websites. We’re always excited to roll up our sleeves and jump into new website projects. Our portfolio runs the gamut from startups and non-profits to suites of themed websites for industrial conglomerates and everything in between. When clients come to Kinetic with their website needs, hopes and dreams, we’ve got answers for every project and budget.

Over the years, we’ve written extensively on this topic from many different angles. Given the volume and depth of our experience, we wanted to share a few of our favorite articles on the art and science of building successful websites. While we can go crazy deep down the website rabbit hole, this article will focus broadly on four areas that are crucial to the development of successful websites: strategy, content, UX and SEO.

Developing a Website Strategy

Strategy is the cornerstone of effective web design, dictating the direction, purpose and functionality of a website. It encompasses understanding the target audience, defining goals and aligning design choices with overarching business objectives. Without a solid strategy, web design can lack coherence and fail to engage users effectively.

Over the years, Kinetic has developed and honed an effective process to deliver beautiful custom websites for an exceptionally broad range of industries. This process forms the core of our website strategy, which consists of five phases: kickoff, discovery, elaboration, development and QA, testing and launch. Each phase features clear activities and deliverables that build on previous phases. Throughout the process, project needs such as content, design, UX and technology are defined, refined and shaped by input from both the client and the creative team.

Keeping up with the latest trends and technologies can feel impossible when things seem to change so fast that your site feels outdated before it is even complete. You need more than just a website, you need a comprehensive website strategy.

Here are some articles to get you thinking about an effective strategy and process:

Crafting Compelling Narratives in Website Content

Your content should help your audience answer a question or solve a problem. It must educate or entertain — and be updated frequently. How can you deliver?

Create a blog to inform visitors old and new. Show them what you know.
Provide long-form content full of valuable info (e-books, guides, etc.).
Compile case studies and testimonials that build trust.

Your structure will determine content needs, so make sure the architecture is well-defined at the outset. Common website structure typically includes the following:

Homepage
About page and/or contact page
Blog
Product directory
Individual product pages
Terms and conditions
Gallery
Landing pages/marketing pages for promotions

Here are some articles to get you started writing effective content:

Good Web Writing Will Pay Dividends

https://kineticmc.com/good-web-writing-will-pay-dividends/

A Good Blog Can Be Good For Business

https://kineticmc.com/a-good-blog-can-be-good-for-business/

So Much Work, So Much Fun in Creating Websites

https://kineticmc.com/so-much-work-so-much-fun-in-creating-websites/

Creating Seamless Website Experiences with UX

In today’s online world, user experience is everything. Customers expect your website to work on their mobile devices, load instantly and give them exactly what they are looking for without having to search for it.

A strong focus on UX fosters trust and credibility, as users are more likely to engage with a website that is visually appealing, functional and user-friendly. Consistency in design elements and accessibility features further enhance inclusivity and accommodate diverse user needs.

Analytics support the importance of UX to the bottom line. Optimizing UX leads to higher conversion rates and customer retention, with satisfied users more likely to return and recommend the website to others.

We’re fortunate to have a resident expert who recognized the value and importance of the art and science of UX design long before it became an industry buzzword. Kelsea Schreiner, Managing Partner, first encountered UX design concepts when she applied for a grant for training with Human Factors International (HFI) more than a decade ago.

Here are some articles to get you thinking about incorporating user experience:

Website UX + PET, The True Art Of Design

https://kineticmc.com/website-ux-pet-design/

UX Design In-House, Check!

https://kineticmc.com/ux-design-in-house-check/

10 User Experience (UX) Tips to Design Your New Website

https://kineticmc.com/10-user-experience-ux-tips-to-design-your-new-website/

Integrating SEO into Website Development

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) determines the visibility and ranking of a website in search engine results. By optimizing content for relevant keywords, structuring information logically and adhering to SEO best practices, websites can attract more organic traffic and improve their online presence.

Good SEO writing enhances user experience by organizing content in a way that is easily navigable and digestible. Clear, concise and well-structured content not only satisfies user intent but also signals to search engines the relevance and authority of the website.

Quality SEO is a process, not a one-and-done step. By regularly monitoring performance metrics, adapting to algorithm updates and refining content strategies, websites can maintain their visibility and relevance amidst evolving search engine algorithms.

Here’s what we’ve learned about effective SEO over the years:

How To Become A Google Featured Snippet Superstar

https://kineticmc.com/how-to-become-a-google-featured-snippet-superstar/

Case Study: Search Engine Optimization and Improving SEO Performance

https://kineticmc.com/search-engine-optimization-seo-and-improving-seo-performance/

Avoid These 5 Mistakes To Boost Your SEO – and Bottom Line

https://kineticmc.com/avoid-these-5-mistakes-to-boost-your-seo-and-bottom-line/

Putting it all together

Don’t leave your online presence to chance. Your website is the digital face of your business and carries the responsibility of introducing your business to customers in the absolute best way possible. Make sure it is telling the right story. Check out this example of a website we think puts it all together beautifully: Hendrick’s Gin.

At Kinetic, we do so much more than build websites. We create a digital home for your brand that is optimized for your audience and industry. We dig deep into who you are and what you do to create a website that speaks to customers.

Our holistic approach integrates the elements of SEO, best design, user experience, bulletproof coding, high-impact visual media and expertly written copy into a digital property that will serve your needs now and grow with your organization for years to come.

Let us know how we can help with your website! Contact us today!

Building Successful Websites

Developing a Website Strategy

One Process, Diverse Industry Websites

Website Design for Every Budget

Case Study: Future Ready Website Development