Let’s be honest – most people don’t spend their day thinking about websites. But when it’s your business, side project or personal blog on the line, getting it right matters.
The trouble is, it’s not always clear what “good” actually means. Is it about design? Speed? SEO? A hundred bells and whistles?
Here’s my take – based on what I’ve seen work (and not work) for real people.
Make it clear what you do
Your homepage isn’t a mystery novel. People need to land on your site and immediately understand who you are and what you offer.
If someone has to scroll or dig around to figure that out, you’ve probably lost them.
What to avoid: Vague headlines, clever but confusing taglines, and hiding key info down the page.
Easy to use, for everyone
Good websites feel effortless to get around. You shouldn’t have to be “techy” to use them. Menus are clear. Pages load quickly. Everything works on mobile.
This is especially important if your audience isn’t the most digital-confident — because many of mine aren’t.
What to avoid: Overcomplicated menus, dead ends, tiny buttons on phones.
A good website doesn’t need to be fancy – it just needs to work for you and your visitors.
It should look good – but not overdone
Design matters. But simple and clean almost always beats flashy and overloaded. The goal isn’t to impress other designers – it’s to make something your visitors actually want to use.
What to avoid: Crazy colour combos, ten different fonts, and cramming everything “above the fold”.
It should reflect you
Whether you’re running a business, launching a project or just sharing your story – your site should feel like yours. It doesn’t have to be corporate. It just has to feel genuine and easy to trust.
What to avoid: Generic copy, stock photos everywhere, and sites that feel like they belong to someone else.
Final word
A good website isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about getting something out there that works for you – and your audience. Whether you’re just starting out or thinking about a refresh, the main thing is: it doesn’t have to be stressful.
If you’re stuck or not sure what your next step is, feel free to get in touch. No pressure. Just a chat.
