It’s just a website… what can be so difficult? It’s easy to think that… when you don’t know what you don’t know. If I knew then what I know now, I would have done things differently.
If you aren’t bothered about getting website traffic, enquiries and sales from your website, then it probably doesn’t matter. But if you want Google and other search engines to send you loads of enquiries, how you go about designing your new website is vital.
Why? Google gets around 80% of all the search market share and, according to some experts, 95% of mobile searches. So your website needs to be Google-friendly, mobile-friendly and as fast as grease lightning!
So where do you start?
I might be a bit biased, but my first recommendation is to contact Webprecision before you make the same mistakes I’ve made in the past. We can talk you through what would be best for you and your business and give you some valuable website design tips.
If you need a new website we can create one for you or we are just happy to give you the best advice about where to start and what you need. Utilising the cutting-edge Breakdance website builder, renowned for its exceptional website speed optimization, we ensure your website not only dazzles visually but also enhances your SEO performance.
But if you are the typical Kiwi do-it-yourselfer, then here we go.
Creating a website, and choosing a hosting provider is one of the most important decisions you will make. Your hosting provider can affect the speed, security, and reliability of your website, which can affect your search engine rankings, user experience, and sales.
With so many hosting providers to choose from, it is difficult to know where to start. In this article, we will discuss the key factors you should consider when choosing a reliable, secure, and fast hosting provider.
Determining the fastest website hosting provider can be difficult, as the speed of a website depends on multiple factors, including the hosting provider, the type of hosting, the location of the server, the size and complexity of the website, and the amount of traffic it receives.
Uptime: Uptime refers to the time your website is accessible to visitors. A good hosting provider should offer a high uptime of 99.9% or higher, meaning your website will be up and running almost all the time.
If your website is frequently down, visitors will get frustrated and move on to a competitor’s site, which can hurt your search engine rankings and sales. To ensure you choose a reliable hosting provider, look for one that offers a high uptime guarantee and read reviews from other users to see if they have experienced downtime.
Speed: Speed is an essential factor when choosing a hosting provider. A fast website can improve your user experience, search engine rankings, and sales, while a slow website can drive visitors away.
To ensure your website is fast, look for a hosting provider that uses fast servers and offers a content delivery network (CDN) to distribute your content to visitors quickly. You can also use tools like GTmetrix or Google PageSpeed Insights to measure your website’s speed and identify areas for improvement.
Security: Security is a critical factor when choosing a hosting provider. Your website and personal information are vulnerable to attacks from hackers, malware, and viruses, which can damage your reputation and steal sensitive information.
To ensure your website is secure, look for a hosting provider that offers features such as SSL certificates, firewalls, and regular backups. You should also choose a provider that uses the latest security measures, such as two-factor authentication and encryption, to protect your data.
Support: Good support is essential when choosing a hosting provider. You may need help with setting up your website, troubleshooting issues, or fixing security problems, and you want to know that you can get help quickly.
Look for a hosting provider that offers 24/7 support via phone, email, and live chat, and read reviews from other users to see how responsive and helpful the support team is.
Price: Price is a major consideration when choosing a hosting provider. You want to get the best value for your money, but you also want to ensure that you are not sacrificing speed, security, or reliability.
Look for a hosting provider that offers a balance of features, speed, security, and support at a reasonable price, and consider the long-term costs of hosting, such as renewals and upgrades, when comparing prices. But it also depends on your needs. Depending on what you need your website to actually do dictates what you will require on the backend setup.
Scalability: Scalability refers to the ability of your hosting provider to grow with your website as it attracts more visitors. As your website grows, you may need more resources, such as storage and bandwidth, and you want to ensure that your hosting provider can accommodate your needs.
Look for a hosting provider that offers scalable plans, so you can easily upgrade your resources as needed, and choose a provider that has a track record of providing reliable and fast hosting for high-traffic websites.
Reputation: Finally, the reputation of the hosting provider when choosing a reliable, secure, and fast hosting provider. Look for a provider that has an excellent reputation in the industry and a history of providing high-quality hosting services.
Read reviews from other users and check the provider’s website for customer testimonials to get a sense of their level of customer satisfaction.
Choosing a reliable, secure, and fast hosting provider is essential for the success of your website. When choosing a provider, consider factors such as uptime, speed, security, support, price, scalability, and reputation.
By considering these factors, you’ll be able to find a provider that offers the best combination of features and services for your website.
A website builder is a tool that allows you to create and publish a website without having to write code or learn technical skills. With a website builder, you can create a website using pre-designed templates and drag-and-drop tools to add and arrange content.
When choosing the best website builder for your needs, consider the following factors:
Ease of Use: Look for a website builder that is user-friendly and intuitive, with a drag-and-drop interface and a simple learning curve.
Customisation Options: Choose a website builder that offers a wide range of templates and customisation options, so you can create a unique website that matches your brand.
Cost: Consider the cost of using the website builder, including any setup fees, monthly or annual fees, and fees for additional features or storage.
Features: Look for a website builder that offers the features you need, such as e-commerce functionality, mobile optimisation, and integrations with other tools.
Customer Support: Choose a website builder with excellent customer support, so you can get help if you need it.
SEO: Look for a website builder that is SEO-friendly, with features such as built-in metadata and the ability to add alt tags to images.
Responsiveness: Choose a website builder that offers responsive templates, so your website will look great on all devices, from desktops to mobile phones.
A website builder is a great option for creating a website if you don’t have technical skills or if you want a simple and fast way to create a website. When choosing the best website builder for your needs, consider factors such as ease of use, customisation options, cost, features, customer support, SEO, and responsiveness.
The best platform for building a new website depends on your specific needs and goals. Some of the most popular website-building platforms include:
WordPress: WordPress is the most widely used platform for building websites, and it offers a vast selection of templates and plugins to help you create the site you want. WordPress is flexible and easy to use, making it a great option for both beginners and experienced web developers.
It would certainly be our first choice, especially with the enormous range of plugins that are on offer with WordPress and these will prove extremely important if you have no idea what a plugin is.
Magento: Magento is an enterprise-level e-commerce platform designed for large websites that require advanced features. Unlike WordPress, which is more user-friendly, Magento is a more technically demanding platform that may require technical expertise or the budget to hire a Magento specialist to help you maximise its potential.
With an impressive track record of handling over $100 billion in gross merchandise volume annually, Magento is ideal for websites focused on boosting e-commerce sales.
Shopify: Shopify is a popular platform for building e-commerce websites. It offers a variety of templates and a simple checkout process, making it a splendid choice for businesses looking to sell products online. We still prefer WordPress, however.
Wix: Wix is a cloud-based website builder that is easy to use and offers a wide range of templates and customisation options. It is a great option for those who don’t have technical skills or don’t want to learn how to code. We don’t recommend it as SEO options and speed are very limited.
Squarespace: Squarespace is a website builder that offers a range of templates and customisation options. It is a great option for those who want a visually appealing website without having to invest a lot of time in design and development. Not recommended and in the same vein as Wix. They offer great web design tips for beginners and website design tips for content.
WordPress, Magento, and Shopify are all popular platforms for creating and running websites, but they are designed for different websites and have different strengths.
WordPress is an open-source content management system (CMS) that is used by millions of websites worldwide. It is highly customisable and offers a wide range of plugins and themes, making it suitable for almost any type of website, from personal blogs to small e-commerce sites.
Magento is a cloud-based e-commerce platform specifically designed for creating and running large online stores. Magento offers a wide range of features and tools for managing products, orders, and payments, and it integrates with a variety of payment gateways and shipping services. It is more complex than WordPress or Shopify and requires more technical expertise to use effectively.
Shopify is a cloud-based e-commerce platform specifically designed for creating and running online stores. Shopify offers a wide range of features and tools for managing products, orders, and payments, and it integrates with a variety of payment gateways and shipping services.
It is considered easier to use than WordPress or Magento, especially for those who are new to building websites.
Here are some key differences between WordPress, Magento, and Shopify:
Ease of Use: Shopify is considered the easiest to use, followed by WordPress and then Magento.
Customisation: WordPress is the most customisable, followed by Magento and then Shopify.
Cost: WordPress is free to use, but you will need to pay for hosting, themes, and plugins. Shopify offers a range of pricing plans, starting at $29 per month. Magento offers a range of pricing plans, starting at $22,000 per year.
E-commerce: Shopify is designed specifically for e-commerce and is the best option for creating a simple online store. Magento is designed for large online stores and offers the most powerful e-commerce features.
WordPress also has e-commerce capabilities, but it requires additional plugins and may not be as suitable for large online stores as Magento or as user-friendly as Shopify.
The choice between WordPress, Magento, and Shopify will depend on the specific needs of your website. When looking to create a simple online store, Shopify may be the best choice. But, if you need a powerful and scalable platform for a large online store, Magento may be the better option.
If you need a highly customisable and versatile platform, WordPress may be the best choice. For most businesses, we would recommend WordPress.
Choosing the right WordPress theme can have a significant impact on the look, functionality, and performance of your website. When looking for a responsive and SEO-friendly WordPress theme, consider the following factors:
Responsiveness: Look for a theme that is built with a responsive design, meaning it will automatically adjust to fit any screen size, from desktops to mobile devices. A responsive theme is essential for providing a good user experience and improving your website’s search engine rankings.
Speed: Choose a theme that is lightweight and optimised for speed. A fast-loading website is crucial for improving user experience and search engine rankings.
Code Quality: Look for a theme that is built with clean and well-structured code. A theme with poor code quality can slow down your website and negatively affect your search engine rankings.
Schema Markup: Choose a theme that supports schema markup, which is a code that helps search engines understand the content on your website. Schema markup can improve your website’s search engine rankings and provide rich snippets in search results.
Customisation: Look for a customisable theme, so you can easily change the look and feel of your website to suit your brand. Customisation options can also help you improve the user experience and optimise your website for search engines.
Support and Documentation: Choose a theme that is well-supported and has detailed documentation. This will ensure that you have access to resources and support if you need help with customising or troubleshooting your theme.
User Reviews: Read reviews from other users to get an idea of the theme’s performance, user experience, and customer support. You can find reviews on the theme’s page on the WordPress theme repository or third-party websites.
Most people simply go for the prettiest theme they see, but choosing a responsive and SEO-friendly WordPress theme is an important decision that can affect the success of your website. It’s not just about uncovering the top 10 web design tips. However, themes have helpful tips for designing a website layout.
But by considering the factors listed above, you can find a theme that is both aesthetically pleasing and optimised for search engines, providing an excellent user experience for your visitors.
Here are some of the fastest WordPress themes available:
Breakdance Zero: The vast majority of Breakdance users choose to go without a theme. By default, Breakdance will disable the WordPress theme system entirely. This gives you maximum design flexibility. It also eliminates all theme bloat and gives you optimal performance.
GeneratePress: Another lightweight and fast theme that is highly customisable and includes a range of options for optimizing your website for search engines.
Neve: A flexible and versatile theme that is optimised for speed and includes a range of options for customizing your website to your liking.
Astra: A popular and lightweight theme that is optimised for speed and performance, and includes built-in customization options to help you create a unique look for your website.
Divi: A versatile and feature-rich theme that includes a range of tools and options for customising your website and optimizing it for search engines.
OceanWP: A lightweight and fast theme that is highly customisable and includes a range of options for optimizing your website for search engines, including built-in schema markup.
Avada: A popular and versatile theme that includes a range of options and tools for customising your website and optimizing it for search engines.
When choosing an SEO-friendly WordPress theme, it’s important to consider factors like load speed, code quality, and the availability of customisation options to help you optimise your website for search engines.
Website Builders
Website builders are online platforms or software tools that allow individuals, businesses, and organisations to create websites without the need for extensive coding or technical expertise. These tools provide a user-friendly interface and a range of pre-designed templates, components, and customisation options that make the website creation process accessible to users of all skill levels.
Website builders typically operate on a drag-and-drop or WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) basis, allowing users to visually design their websites by arranging elements such as text, images, videos, forms, and interactive features on a virtual canvas. Users can customise the design, layout, colours, fonts, and other aspects of their websites using intuitive controls and menus.
One of the key advantages of website builders is that they eliminate the need to write code from scratch, making it possible for individuals without technical knowledge to create professional-looking websites. These platforms handle the underlying code and technical aspects of website development, allowing users to focus on the visual and content elements.
Website builders often provide a range of additional features and functionalities, such as search engine optimisation (SEO) tools, e-commerce integration, blogging capabilities, social media integration, analytics, and more. Some website builders also offer hosting services, allowing users to publish their websites directly from the platform.
Overall, website builders have democratised the process of website creation, enabling individuals and businesses to establish their online presence quickly and affordably. They have become popular tools for entrepreneurs, small businesses, bloggers, artists, and non-technical individuals who want to showcase their products, services, or personal portfolios on the web without the need for extensive coding knowledge or hiring professional web developers.
Breakdance: Refreshingly simple. Remarkably powerful.
Breakdance is my first and only choice for a no-bloat website builder. And that is important for speed! It is a popular website builder that enables users to design and build professional-looking websites with ease. It offers an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, allowing users to select from a wide range of pre-designed templates and customise them according to their preferences.
With Breakdance, users can effortlessly add and arrange elements such as text, images, videos, and interactive features, making the website creation process both enjoyable and efficient. Moreover, Breakdance provides a variety of SEO tools, ensuring that websites built on their platform are search engine-friendly and can rank higher in search results. I wouldn’t use anything else.
Elementor: Unleashing Creativity
Elementor has gained widespread acclaim as a robust website builder, empowering users to design visually stunning websites without any coding skills. However, it is what I would call a bloated website builder and just does not come close to Breakdance (in my humble opinion and I have used both).
With its intuitive front-end editing capabilities, Elementor allows users to see real-time changes as they customise their website’s layout and content. It offers a comprehensive library of widgets and templates, enabling users to create unique designs and enhance user experience. Elementor also supports third-party integrations, granting users the flexibility to add advanced functionalities, such as e-commerce capabilities or membership systems, to their websites effortlessly.
The Advantages of Website Builders:
Website builders like Breakdance and Elementor offer several advantages that have contributed to their increasing popularity:
a) No coding required: Website builders eliminate the need for coding knowledge, enabling users with no technical background to create professional websites.
b) Time and cost-efficiency: With ready-made templates, drag-and-drop functionality, and pre-built components, website builders significantly reduce the time and cost associated with traditional website development.
c) Customisation options: Website builders provide a wide range of customisation options, allowing users to tailor their websites to reflect their unique brand identity and style.
d) User-friendly interfaces: Intuitive interfaces make website builders accessible to beginners, empowering individuals and small businesses to create and manage their online presence independently.
e) Responsive design: Many website builders prioritise responsive design, ensuring that websites automatically adjust to different screen sizes and devices, enhancing the user experience across various platforms.
WordPress SEO Checklist For 2023
Once you have created your new website, here is a comprehensive WordPress SEO checklist to boost your organic traffic:
1. Choose a responsive and SEO-friendly WordPress theme
2. Install an SEO plugin (e.g. RankMath or Yoast SEO) (not needed if using Breakdance)
3. Customise your permalinks to include keywords
4. Optimise your site’s content with keywords and meta descriptions
5. Create an XML sitemap and submit it to Google Search Console
6. Set up Google My Business listing and verify it
7. Enable and verify your website with Google Search Console
8. Use header tags (H1, H2, H3, etc.) appropriately
9. Optimise images with descriptive file names and alt tags
10. Interlink your pages and posts to enhance user experience and spread link equity
11. Regularly publish high-quality and relevant content
12. Promote your website on social media
13. Use internal linking to help search engines understand the structure of your website
14. Acquire high-quality backlinks from reputable sources
15. Monitor your website’s performance regularly and make changes as necessary
By implementing these steps, you’ll have a solid foundation for a successful SEO strategy and will be well on your way to increasing your organic traffic.
Steve Baron, an astute entrepreneur and seasoned marketing professional, is the driving force behind Webprecision, a company that specialises in crafting affordable, fast, and SEO-friendly websites. Before his venture into the digital realm, Steve established Baron Marketing Ltd, an advertising agency that flourished under his leadership for over two decades. His entrepreneurial spirit further propelled him to launch several successful online startups.
A staunch advocate for nurturing budding entrepreneurs, Steve has served as a mentor for Business Mentors NZ. His academic credentials include a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and Political Science from the University of Waikato, complemented by an Honours Degree in Political Science from Victoria University of Wellington.
A prolific writer, Steve has penned three books, and his insightful editorials have graced the pages of newspapers across New Zealand. When not immersed in his professional endeavours, Steve fulfils his role as the Clerk of the Scales for New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, is a competitive Bridge Grandmaster, and indulges in his passions for walking, running, and savouring the café experience.
At Webprecision, we excel in web design and SEO. We also spotlight products and services that can benefit our clients. Our team crafts high-quality content and stunning websites that are fully optimized for search engines. Let us take care of the heavy lifting, so you can focus on what you do best—growing your business. Contact us today to discover how we can enhance your SEO, refine your web design, and expand your reach.