Web Development Best Practices – with Chris, Cosmo Digital Solutions

In today's competitive business landscape, the importance of a website cannot be overstated. Whether your goal is to attract more clients, showcase your portfolio, or stay ahead of the competition, a website is a fundamental element of your online identity.

What's truly remarkable is that you no longer need to be a coding expert to create a website.

Recently, we had the privilege of attending a workshop conducted by Chris from Cosmo Digital Solutions, as part of the Digital Business Pipeline program. This workshop shed light on website development, best practices, and invaluable design insights.

For those who missed out, here's an in-depth recap of what we learned.

A website serves as your virtual storefront, granting your business a prominent online presence. It often acts as the initial point of contact for potential clients and remains accessible 24/7.

However, it can serve a multitude of other functions as well. Before embarking on the website creation journey, it is essential to grasp your objectives, identify your target audience, and define your goals.

Ask yourself questions such as, "What am I offering, why is there a demand for it, and how will I address that demand?"

Once you have a clear sense of purpose, the next step is to choose a domain name, making sure it doesn't infringe on any trademarks.

A domain name is the unique web address of your website, such as techtalentengine.co.uk. It should ideally reflect the name, brand, or purpose of your website.

It's a good idea to select a catchy name that's easy to remember for potential visitors. But before you settle on a business or domain name, it is crucial to conduct research to avoid any trademark-related issues.

You can utilise tools like the government's company name availability checker or check trademarks directly on the IPO website.

Content Management Systems (CMS) are software platforms that simplify the creation, organization, and management of digital content on websites.

They equip individuals, businesses, and organizations with the tools and features needed to build and maintain their websites. There are various popular CMS options available, including WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, Shopify, Joomla, and Drupal.

When selecting a CMS, it's essential to ensure that it aligns with your business objectives and suits the skills of your team.

It could be that WordPress is cheaper, but your team is more skilled in Shopify. Selecting a system that is not only affordable but works with your existing knowledge is key, ensuring you experience no difficulties long term.

One common pitfall that many businesses face is the creation of poorly built websites. These may include non-indexed pages, duplicate content, and error pages (404).

Equally, if not more, important is ensuring the security of your website to safeguard your software and data from potential hacking. Some security measures include using firewalls, removing unused plugins, and providing individual staff accounts.

Failing to address these issues can not only harm your website's ranking but also risk Google taking your website offline.

As Chris simply puts it,

My biggest piece of advice is to always be thorough in what you do. Make sure you never try to cut corners because this is where everything goes wrong.

• Creating a website often requires collaboration between copywriters, front-end developers, back-end developers, and project leads. Here are some design tips to consider:
• Understand Your Audience: Your design should resonate with your target audience. Consider their preferences, expectations and behaviours when designing your site.
• Embrace Responsive Design: Ensure your site adapts to various screen sizes and devices, making it mobile-friendly. A mobile-friendly design is a must in today’s digital landscape.
• Simplify Navigation: Make sure visitors can easily find their way around your site.
• Maintain Consistent Branding: Utilise clear branding colours that reflect your business identity. Visitors should be able to find what they’re looking for without any hassle.
• Prioritize Readable Typography: Choose fonts and styles that are easy to read.
• Optimize Loading Speed: Speed up your website's loading times by optimizing images and code.

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Irrespective of your level of experience, we work with a diverse array of employers who are actively recruiting for a wide spectrum of job positions.

Simply create your free account today.