02. What Makes a Good Website?

Zehr.net Conversation Series — Episode Insights

2. What Makes a Good Website?

In the first episode of the Zehr.net Conversation Series, we talked about why every small business needs a website. The next logical question is just as important: What makes a good website?

The good news is that a strong website does not need to be complicated or expensive. In fact, the best small business websites are often the simplest ones. When a site is clear, helpful, and easy to navigate, it already does most of the things a good website should do.

Key Takeaways

• A good website is clear, simple, and helpful.
• Visitors should quickly understand who you are and what you do.
• Most small businesses only need a few well-designed pages.
• Mobile-friendly design is essential today.
• Real photos and authentic content help build trust.
• Fast loading and simple navigation improve the user experience.

Clarity Comes First

When someone visits your website, they should be able to understand what your business does within a few seconds. If visitors cannot quickly tell who you are or what services you offer, they will often leave and look elsewhere.

A clear headline, a short description of your services, and simple navigation go a long way toward making a website easy to understand.

Simple Websites Often Work Best

Many small business owners believe their website needs to be large and complex. In reality, most businesses only need a handful of pages to start.

• Homepage
• About Page
• Services or Products Page
• Contact Page
• Optional Gallery or Portfolio

A website is something that can grow over time. Starting with a small number of well-organized pages is often the smartest approach.

Consistency Builds Trust

A good website maintains a consistent look and feel across all pages. The colors, fonts, style, and tone should remain similar throughout the site.

Consistency helps a business appear professional and organized. When pages feel disconnected or very different from one another, visitors may feel less confident in the business.

Mobile-Friendly Design Is Essential

Today, a large percentage of visitors view websites from their phones. Because of this, a website should automatically adjust to different screen sizes.

Text should be readable without zooming, buttons should be easy to tap, and the layout should adapt naturally to smaller screens. A mobile-friendly design helps ensure that every visitor has a good experience.

Images Help Tell Your Story

Photos can make a website feel more real and more personal. Images of your products, workspace, projects, or team members help visitors connect with your business.

The images do not need to be professional photography. Clear, bright, and relevant pictures are often more than enough.

Speed Matters

A good website loads quickly. Slow websites can frustrate visitors and cause them to leave before they even see the content.

Large images, heavy effects, and unnecessary features can slow down a site. Keeping the design clean and efficient helps ensure a fast experience.

Let Your Personality Show

A website should reflect the personality of the business behind it. A short message from the owner, a story about how the business started, or a few real photos can help visitors feel more connected.

Authenticity often makes a stronger impression than generic marketing language.

Make Contact Information Easy to Find

One of the most common mistakes businesses make is hiding their contact information. Visitors should not have to search for ways to reach you.

Phone numbers, email addresses, and locations should be easy to find, usually through a clear contact page and visible information in the header or footer of the site.

Good SEO Starts with Clear Information

Search engine optimization does not have to be complicated. A good website simply provides accurate information about the business.

Clear page titles, descriptive headings, and honest content about what the business does help search engines understand the site.

When the information is organized and meaningful, search engines can more easily connect customers with the right businesses.

Final Thoughts

A good website does not need to be flashy or complex. The most effective websites focus on clarity, simplicity, and helpful information.

When visitors can quickly understand your business, view real photos, find your contact details, and navigate the site easily, your website is doing its job.

Start simple, keep things consistent, and build over time. With those principles in place, a small business website can become a powerful tool for growth.

This article accompanies the podcast episode discussing what makes a good website. The Zehr.net Conversation Series explores practical ideas to help small businesses & organizations use the web more effectively.