A website is one of the most important means of reaching your target group. And a well-designed website also strengthens your identity and the trust of your audience. But what defines a good website? And if you have a website, how do you keep it up-to-date and in the picture? If you want to know that, a sustainable website is for you.
What is sustainable web design?
One definition of sustainable is: long-lasting, resistant, with a conscious use of resources. A sustainable website is future-proof and uses your resources, time and money, sparingly.
Because who wants to invest in a new site every two or three years? Because the design (that seemed so trendy) is outdated? Or because your site is technically outdated or doesn’t allow you to add new features? With a good foundation, it is possible to enjoy your investment longer.
What are the benefits of a sustainable website?
The world keeps changing, and the online world changes even faster. Soon after the website you have invested so much time and money in is ready, you will have to deal with new developments and requirements, such as:
- Technical developments and Google updates
- Developments in your company
- Design and usability trends
1. Technical developments, Google updates
Examples of technical developments are mobile usability, accessibility (suitability for visual aids and screen readers), or compliance with privacy laws. Also, Google regularly improves methods to offer better search results (an example is schema.org.) If you want to stay in the game online, your website needs to keep up with these changes.
2. Business developments
An example: you start with a simple site, and as your business grows, you want to add features. Maybe it’s time to translate your website or to add a portfolio of projects. Or you might want to start a blog to reach your target audience better. It is disappointing if that doesn’t seem possible with your current site.
3. Design and usability
Design trends come and go. Think of the ‘narrow’ websites from the beginning of the Internet. We are used now to websites that use the entire screen, with larger text. Ease of use also plays a role in design. For example, the ‘flat design trend is partly because a fast loading time is much more important than the obvious clickability of elements.
So it’s not surprising that over time you’ll need to make adjustments to your site’s design. Perhaps because you need more space for particular information. Or because new style elements become available that enhance the look and feel of your site. If your website’s structure allows for such adjustments, it is less likely that you will need to think about a new site.
What factors determine the sustainability of your website?
Technology, design, usability, content, and SEO are factors that determine your site’s usability and durability. But how do you prepare your site for future developments? How do you get a website that works for you and that Google considers good enough to show your target audience?
The basics: identity and content
It starts with a strong identity, knowing what you have to offer and what your target audience is looking for. This is the basis of your identity and the look and feel of your site. It also determines the information you offer your visitor and your findability in Google.
Search engine optimization
Future-proof SEO begins with well-structured information that answers the questions of your target group. Google* rewards this because it too wants to provide the best answer to a search query. In addition to valuable content, honest SEO techniques help Google find what you have to offer; after all, you are dealing with robots. But as we know: Google regularly changes its algorithm. A sustainably developed site can be adapted to new SEO developments and does not have to suffer a serious loss of position.
Technology
A future-proof website is built according to the latest code standard, HTML5. This ensures that your site is suitable for future changes on the web. But HTML5 also ensures that your site is displayed properly, whether your visitor uses Firefox, Edge, Safari, or Chrome.
Design
Your site’s information must be attractive, easy to find and load fast to reach your audience. And above all: your website must exude class. Because through your visual identity, you show that you are an authority in your field and win your audience’s trust.
Imag helps you with a sustainable website
By applying the latest developments in design, technology, and SEO, I help entrepreneurs create a future-proof website. A site that does its job for several years, a site that is easy to understand by the target audience, and that performs well in search engines. I help entrepreneurs with:
- visual identity
- keyword research
- website design
- technique and production
- content/text
- images, guidance, and editing
- SEO optimization
- structured data
- website translation
- multilingual SEO optimization
- website maintenance
