Want to create a compelling website that will catch the attention of your visitors and keep them coming back? Here are a few important things to keep in mind:

Make Navigation Easy

Nobody wants to have to slog through page after page looking for one specific topic. Having a clear, quick way for visitors to navigate your site is essential. A well-designed navigation bar can also add visual interest. Make sure that navigation links are prominently placed so they are easy to find.

Include Dynamic Content

The days of the static website are over. Visitors want fresh, new content that can’t be found anywhere else. Whether you include a blog, add a news widget, or embed your Twitter feed, it never hurts to include something that is updated on a regular basis. Things like blogs also give you the opportunity to add dynamic visual interest to your site with pictures, headlines, and fresh, pertinent content.

Present Content Clearly

Since you have content that is updated on a regular basis, you want to make sure that it’s easy for visitors to read and understand that content. Instead of bogging down your site with large blocks of text, use style elements like bulleted lists to get your points across. Bullets catch visitors’ attention and convey that your content is accessible without hassle.

Don’t Rely on Image-Heavy Content

Quantity is not the same as quality. Filling your site with unnecessary images slows load time and can be distracting to your visitors. Oversized images detract from layout and may discourage those with slower internet connections.

Have an Eye-Catching Layout

You only get one chance to make a first impression with your website, so make it count! Have a layout that is going to interest visitors and make them want to stick around. Strive for a fresh layout that catches the eye without being overbearing or distracting. Make sure to check how your site looks in different browsers and at various screen resolutions.

Pay Attention to Detail

Regardless of whether you build your own site from the ground up or get some help from a site-building tool, adding small bits of visual interest can transform your site from dull to attention-grabbing without a lot of effort. Highlight your content with a few bold keywords, utilize subject headings, or break up big chunks of text into bulleted lists.

Color Scheme

Visitors need to be able to navigate your site and read your content without having to strain. Make sure to use a comfortable color scheme that makes text easy to read.

Element Placement

Where you put your content can be just as important as the content itself. If you have a pertinent picture or compelling information, don’t bury it at the bottom of the page! Use HTML and CSS or web building tools to place headings, important text, and pictures relative to each other in ways that will provide your visitors with the quickest, most attractive access to your site’s key information.

Be Unique

While keeping all of this in mind, it’s also important to consider what makes your site yours. What about it is different from other sites with similar content? Why should visitors come to you rather than going to other sites for information or products? Using the techniques and elements discussed above to make your site unique will keep people coming back to you, rather than navigating elsewhere.

Find a Reliable Web Hosting Company

None of these tips will be of any use if your site is constantly down. Make sure you find a reliable web hosting company with enough storage room and bandwidth to suit your needs. That way, your content will always be live, and visitors won’t be subject to loading errors, dead links, or failed downloads.

Following these simple guidelines will help keep your site fresh and noticeable, and will keep visitors coming back again and again.