1) Space, colour and layout.

You have a blank canvas and you want to make a statement but you don’t want your message cluttered, or worse, unreadable. Leave space around your content, don't overload your website with too many colours and use your font tools wisely such as bolding and underlining to highlight words in a way that draws your reader in without overwhelming them.

Remember: respect the classics; there is a reason black text on white hasn't lost its appeal, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel.

2) Picture it.

We’ve all heard the saying a picture is worth a 1000 words but that doesn’t mean any old picture will do, you need to make them unique to you and your business. Where possible grab a professional to take your shots, but if your budget doesn’t stretch that far then look to stock libraries and pick appropriate pictures that tell your story.

Remember: pictures should be high quality, the right size and format and don’t forget to label them correctly.

3) Useability and functionality.  

For the user, less is often more. Think about what your website’s three main goals are and set out to make them easily assessable to your visiting public. Correct, straightforward headings and page labels will allow your site to be easy to navigate.

Remember: for larger sites, create a site map, they are simple yet effective.

4) Start the way you intend to continue.

While this can be taken as a broad statement here we mean that you should start with SEO in mind. It is easier and more effective to know the keywords you want to rank with and incorporate them while building your site, rather than working it out at the end. Use them wisely in relevant copy, page titles, H1 and meta-tags.  

Remember: it is your websites pages that will rank NOT your website! 

5) To thine own self be true.

Create for YOUR audience, not "the audience", what works for Josie Blogs won't necessarily work for you. Brainstorm. Ask yourself who is your target audience? What do they want from your content? How will they be accessing your site?

Remember:  your audience will grow and possibly even change, set aside time to review who your current audience is and who you wish to appeal to.  

6) Integrate social media into your website.

There’s a button for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Medium…the list goes on. Where is your audience? Find them, gather them. The goal here is to create conversations and be an active part of the conversations taking part around your business which then lead back to your website.

Remember: social media is a bit like life, you only get out of it what you put into it.

7)  The technological future is coming.

Technology is forever evolving so set your website up to be part of that. So, what does that mean? Well, right now that means at least having responsive web design, but in the not too distant future will we be thinking about wearable tech? Stay in touch with what's being developed and use it to shape your website. 

Remember: technology only works if it is functional and secure, so update your website’s software periodically.

8)  The great myth of our times is that technology is communication.

Thanks Libby Larsen. But she’s right. It’s essential to remember at the end of the day it's all about communication, you want your website to look great and work fast but it is your content that will provide the clicks. You need to mindfully update your site, share your story and communicate with your audience.

Remember:  Communication is the reason you’re building a website in the first place and it extends past the text on the page to include pictures, icons, colours etc. Be clear and show your personality!