{"id":5539,"date":"2018-12-10T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-12-10T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.inmotionhosting.com\/blog\/?p=5539"},"modified":"2025-03-26T10:22:01","modified_gmt":"2025-03-26T14:22:01","slug":"website-design-how-to-design-a-website","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.inmotionhosting.com\/blog\/website-design-how-to-design-a-website\/","title":{"rendered":"Website Design 101: How to Design a Website"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"538\" src=\"https:\/\/www.inmotionhosting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Website-Design-101_-How-to-Design-a-Website-1024x538.jpg\" alt=\"Website Design 101: How to Design a Website\" class=\"wp-image-65137\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.inmotionhosting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Website-Design-101_-How-to-Design-a-Website-1024x538.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.inmotionhosting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Website-Design-101_-How-to-Design-a-Website-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.inmotionhosting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Website-Design-101_-How-to-Design-a-Website-768x403.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.inmotionhosting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Website-Design-101_-How-to-Design-a-Website-560x294.jpg 560w, https:\/\/www.inmotionhosting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Website-Design-101_-How-to-Design-a-Website.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Website design may seem like a daunting task, but designing your own website doesn\u2019t have to&nbsp;be difficult. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In fact, with the right tools and components, even users with little to no experience in website design can create a beautiful website of their own.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this article, we will cover the basics of website design, and introduce you to the tools and tips you can use to launch a good-looking, fully-functional website in no time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We will also walk you through the steps of taking a website from concept to creation, show you some of the top mistakes to avoid, and discuss why using a DIY website builder can be easier and more cost effective than hiring a professional to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this article:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#What-is-Website-Design\" class=\"rank-math-link\">What is Website Design?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#What-is-a-Website-Wireframe\" class=\"rank-math-link\">What is a Website Wireframe?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#What-is-a-Website-Fold\" class=\"rank-math-link\">What is a Website Fold?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#How-to-Design-a-Website\" class=\"rank-math-link\">How to Design a Website for Beginners<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Tips-On-Building-a-Website\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Tips On Building a Website That Works For Your Business<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#10-Ways\" class=\"rank-math-link\">10 Ways to Promote Your New Website<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Website-Mistakes\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Website Mistakes That Might Be Causing You To Lose Visitors<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"What-is-Website-Design\">What is Website Design?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Website design<\/strong> is the visual design of websites that live on the internet. It focuses on what users can actually see on their screen or device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It should not be confused with web development, which involves designing and coding systems for data management and user interaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you design a site with tools like WordPress, most of the development process has already been done for you \u2014 you simply need to arrange the pieces in an easy-to-navigate and aesthetically pleasing way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"What-is-a-Website-Wireframe\">What is a Website Wireframe?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The early stages of building a website will usually start with ideas and then move to interface and visual elements. The first part of the visual element process associated with web design is a wireframe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An important part of web design, a wireframe is a way to easily layout a website without the need for a complex software. A <strong>website wireframe<\/strong> is simply a layout of text and boxes giving a general overview of the website. Some may compare wireframing a website to storyboarding a film. It is the process of drawing a rough sketch or overview of the website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Wireframe?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The reason to wireframe is to provide a rough concept of a page without having to spend money on a design or development. A wireframe is a good way for someone to show stakeholders or developers the vision of how they want their website to appear. Many individuals will also give wireframes to a designer to help with the overall layout of a design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Do I Make a Website Wireframe?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Wireframes don\u2019t have to be complex and you don\u2019t need any specific software. You can even use paper and pencil to sketch a wireframe, or you can build a wireframe using something like Microsoft Word or Google Docs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you prefer to not hand sketch a wireframe or use Microsoft Office\/Google Docs, there are many online tools which you can use to wireframe. Several are even free like the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.figma.com\/wireframe-tool\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Figma Wireframing Tool<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to practice wireframing a website, you can take a screenshot of any website and then print it out. Once printed, place another paper over the top of the print so that you can still see it faintly. Then, start to sketch around their design elements. This practice helps many developers gain a better understanding of all aspects involved with website wireframing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Final Note on Wireframing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A wireframe is a simple sketch with boxes and text that gives you the first visual representation of your website. When building a brand new website, it can be very helpful for a website developer or a stakeholder to see a wireframe to understand the overall concepts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, it is important to keep in mind that while wireframes are a great way to draft a concept for a website, they are far from perfect.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a wireframe only provides a rough layout and not the full design, it can sometimes be hard for a designer to interpret the specifics of what each section is for. Sometimes even though the wireframe is laid out properly, the designer is not able to follow it due to the actual contents taking up more space than planned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Use wireframes as a jumping off point but be sure to work closely with developers if not executing the design on your own.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"What-is-a-Website-Fold\">What is a Website Fold?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In the days when print media was king and newspapers dominated the market, the term \u201cabove the fold\u201d was coined. This was the top half of the newspaper above where the paper would be folded. When placed on display for potential buyers, the part \u201cabove the fold\u201d was meant to draw in the eye with bold, attention grabbing-headlines and shocking images.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The space was obviously reserved for the top stories of the day, but was also cleverly utilized in order to create in the customer an impulse to buy. Anything that was considered secondary news was usually <a href=\"https:\/\/www.abtasty.com\/blog\/above-the-fold\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">relegated to the area below the fold or inside the paper<\/a>. So what does this mean to website owners?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A <strong>website fold<\/strong> is the all the space that can be seen on a web page without scrolling.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Fold in Web Design<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to your website, all of the information \u201cabove the fold\u201d is what a person sees as soon as they open your website. Anything that they have to scroll down to see is considered to be \u201cbelow the fold\u201d. (To continue the newspaper analogy, anything on a page \u201cinside\u201d of the site would be considered inside of the paper.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whereas a newspaper has a clearly defined border with set dimensions that makes the fold equally defined, a website\u2019s fold is a little more fluid. Screen resolution and screen size for the browsers can alter the size of the fold to show different portions of the site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is further complicated now with users having mobile devices all with different dimensions and browsing resolutions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Should Go Above the Fold<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In order to get the attention of your audience, you need a few important components to draw them in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The Headline:<\/strong> The first of these is a compelling headline. This should be something bold and attention-grabbing both in terms of content and in the colors and fonts that you use.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Hero Shot:<\/strong> The next thing you should consider is a hero shot, an eye-catching image of your product with an appeal to how this product will help the customer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Call-To-Action:<\/strong> A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.inmotionhosting.com\/blog\/what-is-cta-call-to-action-examples\/\">call-to-action<\/a> is another item that can pay-off here as can a video explaining something about your product, your service, or your site. You basically want to hook the person in so that they want to continue with the rest of your website.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other Design Considerations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are actually numerous online tools that will help with the placement of your content above the fold. Since this can be hit or miss depending on the viewer\u2019s dimensions and resolutions, this should not be taken as an absolute, but as more of a guideline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are also tools such as <a href=\"\/wordpress-website-builder\">WordPress Website Builders<\/a> that can help you get your website launched and with powerful hosting and web building tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Everything Old Is New Again<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s an old saying that \u201ceverything old is new again.\u201d That fits perfectly when it comes to the best way to design your website. By using the old school design ideas of newspapers (especially those from the early 20th Century when bold headlines ruled) you can help draw in your audience and hopefully keep them browsing on your website.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In order to do this effectively, you will need to take advantage of design tools that are meant to specifically help you optimize your web page\u2019s layout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more <a href=\"https:\/\/www.inmotionhosting.com\/blog\/ecommerce-web-design-tips\/\">tips on web design<\/a> and how to make the most of your space above the fold, check out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.inmotionhosting.com\/blog\/what-is-whitespace-and-why-is-it-important\/\">What Is Whitespace and Why Is It Important?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"How-to-Design-a-Website\">How to Design a Website for Beginners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>So, you\u2019ve studied up on web design and decided to make your first website. Now what?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this section, we\u2019re going to walk you through building your first website, step-by-step, and we\u2019ll also tell you how to choose the right platform for your business.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Secure Web Hosting and a Domain Name<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you can start the actual building of your website, you\u2019re going to need two things: web hosting and a domain name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.inmotionhosting.com\/web-hosting\">Web hosting<\/a>:<\/strong> a service that connects your site to the internet and gives you a place to store all of your essential data and files<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" class=\"rank-math-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.inmotionhosting.com\/domains\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Domain name<\/strong><\/a><strong>:<\/strong> the name that people will type in when they go to your website \u2013 typically this is the name of your business (for instance, ours is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.inmotionhosting.com\/\">www.inmotionhosting.com<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>There are dozens of different companies that act as a web host or domain registrar, but, ideally, you should get them both from the same provider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Use Website Builders<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You could create your website from scratch, but a website builder is a far easier solution for most beginners (and the end product is just as good).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not only is it an economical option, but it also gives you total creative control, allowing you to customize design and functionality however you see fit.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s why you might want to give builders a try:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>No coding required. <\/strong>Website builders make website design easy. Most use a drag-and-drop format, allowing the user to choose the elements they\u2019d like to include(menus, images, text, etc.) and drop them onto the page with a few clicks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Easily access anywhere. <\/strong>website builders are internet-based, so you can access them from any computer or device you\u2019re working on. Many builders today even offer a mobile app, so you can make all the changes you want on-the-go.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>No design experience needed. <\/strong>Don\u2019t have a background in art or graphic design, and you&#8217;re worried about getting the right \u201clook\u201d for your site? No worries! Professionally designed templates make designing your site a breeze. All of the elements are already there, right down to the color palette, so you don\u2019t have to think about a thing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Your site will be up and running in a flash<\/strong>. Waiting for a professionally designed site can often take a few weeks to a few months, depending on your freelancer&#8217;s workload. But with a website builder, you can quickly have your site up and running within hours. If time is of the essence, this is the way to go!<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Maintenance is simple.<\/strong> In addition to making design simple, website builders make <a href=\"https:\/\/www.inmotionhosting.com\/blog\/website-maintenance-checklist\/\">maintaining your website<\/a> easy. From design changes to routine updates, you can quickly hop on your computer and make it happen.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Choosing a Website Builder<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to selecting a website builder for beginners, there are many options on the market today, it\u2019s important to do your research and choose the right one for you and your business. Here are some key features to look for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Ease of use:<\/strong> Website builders are generally intended for people with little to no coding experience and therefore should be easy to learn and use.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Flexibility: <\/strong>Does the platform offer a lot of templates, appropriate for different industries? Are they well-designed and aesthetically pleasing? How customizable are they?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Features:<\/strong> Does the website builder make it easy to create a blog or e-commerce site? Does it have built-in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.inmotionhosting.com\/blog\/seo-for-beginners\/\">SEO<\/a>? What about back-ups and security? The more it can do (without you having to purchase pricey add-ons), the better.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Support: <\/strong>If you have a problem with your website builder, you should be able to receive support \u2013 whether it\u2019s 10 am or 10 pm. In addition, they should offer a variety of support options from telephone to live chat to email, so you can reach them in whatever way is most convenient for you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Our <a href=\"\/wordpress-hosting\">Hosting Plans for WordPress<\/a> are the perfect solution for beginners and business owners. These hosting subscriptions are built on the WordPress platform, and include a free drag-and-drop page builder with hundreds of pre-designed templates to choose from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sign Up for a Plan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Most website builders offer several plans, usually starting with a free option and moving all the way up to a \u201cpro\u201d version (or something similar). What you choose will depend entirely on your website\u2019s needs, so it\u2019s important to know what they are before signing a contract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rest assured that no matter what you need, there is a plan for everybody \u2013 and, yes, it is totally possible to build your site for absolutely zero dollars if that\u2019s what you want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Choose Your Template<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you\u2019ve followed the above steps, you can start doing the fun stuff. After choosing a website builder and signing up for a plan, you\u2019ll be able to dive in and start creating. The first step is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.inmotionhosting.com\/blog\/getting-inspired-with-wordpress-website-templates\/\">selecting a template for your website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Templates provide the framework for your website \u2013 they dictate how your site looks, where your menus will be, what color scheme is used, what the sidebars and headers look like, and more. What you choose will set the tone for your entire site, but don\u2019t worry if you don\u2019t get it right the first time: most website builders will allow you to switch your theme as often as you like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Customize<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>After your template is installed, you can customize your site. Website builders make it easy to create a completely unique site with options like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Adding custom menus and forms<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Changing fonts and colors of text<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Creating image galleries<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Choosing a different color palette<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Adding widgets<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Tips-On-Building-a-Website\">Tips On Building a Website That Works For Your Business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ve seen countless business owners who just want to get something up there \u2013 regardless of quality. Unfortunately, as much as you really do need to be online, just any old website won\u2019t cut it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your prospects log on and find a poorly designed, difficult-to-use site, it\u2019s almost as bad as not having one at all. Luckily, building a great website doesn\u2019t have to be difficult \u2013 it just takes some planning. The key is to know your business and understand your audience\u2019s needs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some points you should keep in mind when building your website:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Set a <\/strong>G<strong>oal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want your website to work for you, first, you need to know what you hope to accomplish. Do you want to establish yourself as a thought leader? Share your creative work? Convert leads? Fill your pipeline? Each of those goals would require a different overall design, so it\u2019s better to go in prepared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Follow Content Writing Best Practices<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Writing for the web isn\u2019t the same as whipping up a masterpiece for high school English class, or even the same as writing a piece for the local newspaper. Web visitors have a VERY short attention span \u2013 they don\u2019t arrive on your page expecting to read a novel. Be sure to use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.inmotionhosting.com\/blog\/best-content-writing-tips\/\">content writing best practices<\/a>, such as keeping everything short and concise and remembering to break longer bits up with subheads, bullet points, or images.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Use Quality Images <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>What\u2019s the first thing you notice as soon as you land on a new webpage? It&#8217;s probably the images. When your visitors arrive on your page, you don\u2019t want them to be greeted with blurry, pixelated photos or poor-quality video. Always choose the highest quality stock photos you can find or, even better, use original shots!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Focus on Benefits, Not Features<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>So, you created the world\u2019s most durable, long-lasting umbrella. Awesome! Unfortunately, just plastering that all over your website isn\u2019t going to sell very much. When your visitors arrive, you want them to immediately see how you can help them \u2013 not your product features. What should you say instead? Something like, \u201cNever buy another umbrella again!\u201d Or maybe, \u201cOur umbrella will keep you dry, even in the harshest of conditions.\u201d No matter what your product or service is, you want your audience to think about how it might improve their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Use a Clear CTA<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Calls to action are essential when it comes to turning visitors into leads or leads to sales. Why? Because people need you to tell them what to do. Want them to buy that umbrella? Show them where to do it. Want them to sign up for an email newsletter? Add a button that prompts them to do so. When you create a website, CTAs are appropriate almost anywhere on your website and should be utilized throughout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Create a User-Friendly Site<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want your audience to stick around, you need to make your website easy for them to use. That means clearly labeling each page, creating intuitive navigation, including easy-to-use menus, and making it easy to contact you. Most importantly? Your website should look (and work) great no matter what device your visitor is logging on from, whether it\u2019s a computer, smartphone, or tablet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Choose a Reliable Web Hosting Service<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>What good is a fantastic website if it\u2019s down all the time or none of your features work? Choosing a reliable hosting service can help ensure the ongoing performance, reliability, and safety of your website. This is one place you don\u2019t want to skimp!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Making the Process Simple<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Bottom line: creating a website that works for your business is vital to your success. As you can see, though, it doesn\u2019t have to be difficult, but it does take time and effort to build a solid website.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re not sure you want to create a website by yourself, reach out to our talented <a href=\"https:\/\/www.inmotionhosting.com\/web-design\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"design team (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rank-math-link\">design team<\/a> to find out how they can help you create a quality, business-driven website in just a matter of days.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"10-Ways\">10 Ways to Promote Your New Website<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>So, you just finished building your brand-new website and you aren\u2019t seeing any traffic yet.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Luckily, it\u2019s probably not your site that\u2019s the problem.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It can take Google anywhere from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theleverageway.com\/blog\/how-long-does-it-take-google-to-index-a-new-site\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">four days to four weeks to index your new pages<\/a>.&nbsp; This means that you\u2019re not showing up in search results and no one actually knows that you\u2019re there.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So how do you get the word out?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are our top 10 tips for promoting your website and bringing in traffic:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Share Quality Content<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether it\u2019s an original blog or whitepaper, or you\u2019re passing on an interesting article, it doesn\u2019t matter as long as it keeps your target audience intrigued. Content is a great way to draw an audience into your website. Simply curate it, and then get it out there. There are several ways you can share:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Post links for your blog on social media and ask the audience to click through<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ask business owners in a similar or complementary market to share your content with their own audiences<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ask friends and family if you can add them to your email list, and then request that they pass on your content to their contacts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Become A Guest Blogger<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is similar to asking other business owners to share your content, but it takes it a step further. When you guest blog, you create original content just for that other entrepreneur\u2019s website, and they own the exclusive rights. It gets published to their page, just like their own blogs would, and you gain access to their entire captive audience.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you can link up with someone who already has a great reputation or a large following, it\u2019s a wonderful way to gain an audience of your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Utilize Social Media<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are currently more than 3.8 billion social media users, which means if you aren\u2019t using social media to promote your website you are missing out on a huge opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Social is a great way to get your name out there and drive traffic to your website, but it\u2019s not enough to simply create a profile. You have to be active, engaged, and involved with your online community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Create A YouTube Account<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s face it: video is HUGE. And with over 1 billion monthly users, YouTube is where it\u2019s at. Using the platform to promote your business seems like a natural option. You can share tutorials, product demos, or even behind-the-scenes footage \u2013 just be sure to include a call-to-action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pay For A Facebook Ad<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The platform couldn\u2019t be easier to use, and it\u2019s cheap to boot. With a minimum daily budget of $5, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.inmotionhosting.com\/blog\/facebook-ads-vs-youtube-ads\/\">Facebook ads<\/a> can easily fit into most budgets \u2013 and the customization options ensure that you\u2019ll reach your target audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Use PPC (Pay-Per-Click) Ads<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Some people are opposed to paying for ads, but when you\u2019re just starting out, it can really help bring in an audience. Plus, it\u2019s simple. All you do is create your ad in <a href=\"https:\/\/business.google.com\/us\/google-ads\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Google Ads<\/a> , and (as the name implies) you pay based on the number of clicks your ad receives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Engage In Email Marketing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Even if people aren\u2019t coming to your website yet, you can still get them to sign up for your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.inmotionhosting.com\/support\/email\/email-marketing\/\">email marketing list<\/a>. If you attend community events or industry conferences, always keep a sign-up list with you. Ask everyone you meet if they\u2019d like to join your mailing list. In addition, you can create a simple landing page and share it to social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Include Internal Linking In Your Articles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This tip is an oldy but a goody \u2013 people have been using internal links forever, but it still works. If you\u2019re not in the know, an internal link is a link on your website that leads back to your own content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, if a customer is reading a blog about pet care, you might want to link back to another article that you wrote about running with your dog. The same idea works for pages that aren\u2019t blog posts. You can link a transaction page to a blog post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do Keyword Research<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The faster you can get Google to index your site, the faster you\u2019ll start showing up in search results, and the sooner people will start finding your site organically. Using appropriate keywords is a great way to get Google to notice you, and it\u2019s easy to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hire A PR Agent<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you can afford it, there is no shame in bringing in outside help. Bottom line is: PR agents get paid to find an audience. It\u2019s what they do for a living. They know your industry and your target market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes down to it, site promotion is all about getting and keeping people interested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Website-Mistakes\">Website Mistakes That Might Be Causing You To Lose Visitors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Having a beautiful website doesn\u2019t mean that it operates properly. Some websites can look amazing, but when visitors come, they leave after a few seconds because it\u2019s either not working or confusing. In this section, we want to share with you mistakes that you might have made that are causing you to lose visitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What\u2019s Your Message?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most common mistakes in web design is not having a clear message. When a visitor comes to your website, can they tell what you do within 5-10 seconds? If it takes longer than that to find out, you don\u2019t have a clear message.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Make your products and services the ultimate focus, allowing your visitors to know instantly what you will provide them. Another way to clarify your message is to limit the number of call-to-actions on your home page. Instead of each section calling for your visitor to do something different, combine and remove unnecessary sections that may lead your customers away from your ultimate goal, completing a sale or giving you their information.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mobile-Friendly<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Almost everyone you meet today has a mobile device. If your website is not mobile-friendly and optimized for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.inmotionhosting.com\/blog\/what-is-mobile-seo\/\">mobile SEO<\/a>, you are losing out on lots of traffic. Outside of not having a clear message, this is one of the top web design mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;Work with a web developer to launch a mobile-friendly website so mobile visitors can easily learn more about your services and products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Top Navigation Design<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Bad navigation design can scare away visitors. Make sure all drop-down menus aren\u2019t covering important aspects of your website and that they are visible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of just placing all of the categories on a menu bar, think through how you as a user would navigate your website. Is there a reason for every link on the menu? Could certain links be made drop-downs? Once you figure out a placement, ask others for their opinion and make navigation design a priority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Create An Account<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Another area which can cause visitors to leave your website is forcing all e-commerce customers to create an account at checkout. Sometimes, customers will add a product to their cart and go as far as they can in the checkout process to see the total.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your first step right after adding a product to the cart is creating an account, you may find that you have a lot of abandoned shopping carts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Allowing customers to complete a transaction without having to create an account brings a great simplicity to your checkout process, making it easier for customers to shop and spend more money.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With some services and products, customers have to have an account for their purchase to work. In this case, make your account creation process as fluid as possible. Remove any unneeded steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>From the basics of web design to the mistakes to avoid when creating your website, we have covered a lot in this article.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It can seem overwhelming at first, but designing a website is something even those with little to no technical experience can do with a little time and effort. The internet is full of helpful tools and services that can get your site up and running in no time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re not sure where to start or what your next step should be, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.inmotionhosting.com\/contact\">reach out to our support team<\/a> who can steer you in the right direction and set you up with a custom solution that fits your individual needs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more tips on how to improve your website and drive traffic, check out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.inmotionhosting.com\/blog\/drive-traffic-to-your-website\/\">10 Ways to Drive Traffic to Your Website<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"jumbotron\">\r\n<p>If you need a new home for your WordPress site, look no further than InMotion\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.inmotionhosting.com\/wordpress-hosting\">WordPress Hosting<\/a> solutions for secure, optimized, budget-friendly servers.<\/p>\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/design.inmotionhosting.com\/assets\/icons\/standard\/check-blue.svg\" alt=\"check mark\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" \/>Fast &amp; Easy Transfers    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/design.inmotionhosting.com\/assets\/icons\/standard\/check-blue.svg\" alt=\"check mark\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" \/>Free SSLs    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/design.inmotionhosting.com\/assets\/icons\/standard\/check-blue.svg\" alt=\"check mark\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" \/>Hack Protection    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/design.inmotionhosting.com\/assets\/icons\/standard\/check-blue.svg\" alt=\"check mark\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" \/>Affordable<\/p>\r\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-primary btn-lg\" href=\"https:\/\/www.inmotionhosting.com\/wordpress-hosting\">View WordPress Hosting Plans<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Website design may seem like a daunting task, but designing your own website doesn\u2019t have to&nbsp;be difficult. In fact, with the right tools and components, even users with little to no experience in website design can create a beautiful website of their own.&nbsp; In this article, we will cover the basics of website design, and<a class=\"moretag\" href=\"https:\/\/www.inmotionhosting.com\/blog\/website-design-how-to-design-a-website\/\"> Read More ><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[357],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5539","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-web-design"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - 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