The Value of a Great Website
It’s 2019. You’re supposed to have a website, right? But why?
A few months ago, I was sitting down with a team from a large church, discussing their upcoming website redesign. In the middle of the conversation, their head of operations asked a great question.
Why do we even need a website?
I’m sure he’s not the only person to wonder that, especially with the amount of time, effort, and resources that goes into creating a great website.
It was a good question because it brought us back to the basics, and brought us to other underlying questions.
- What purpose does a website actually accomplish?
- Are we just doing it to check that box?
- If there were other, cheaper ways to accomplish the same thing, why not do those?
Thinking in these terms, we were able to identify benefits of a website for their organization that nothing else could really provide. Ultimately, a website should be an asset that, if done well, yields far more value than the investment into it.
Why have a website?
Again, it’s important to consider this question specifically for your organization. But generally speaking, here are a few big reasons:
- First impressions — most first impressions come online. Investing in a solid website is one way you can be sure to make a good impression. Furthermore, a good website adds legitimacy to an organization.
- Information sharing and message clarity — a good website is a communication tool. And it’s not all about the words on the screen. Even the site architecture (how you direct users through the site) and images convey a message. A well thought out website gives you a chance to reinforce your message.
- Efficiency — Not only should a website look good, but it should help your organization operate more efficiently. This primarily happens through streamlining communication, which often results in increased team capacity in other areas.
What makes a good website?
You can find lots of opinions on the interwebs about this, but I’d boil it down to these three:
- Goals-focused. This should always be the starting point. What primary purpose does your website serve? How does it support the bigger picture of your organization?
- Well designed. A lot of people don’t understand this, but beauty actually makes things work better.
- Great user experience. People shouldn’t be confused or overwhelmed when they visit your site. When in doubt, bias toward simplicity.
Would love to hear other opinions on the value of a website and what makes a good one. What am I missing? What have you seen be the most valuable part of your website?
Polar Notion is a website and software agency based in Atlanta, GA. We solve real-world problems through digital solutions. If you think we may be able to help you or your organization, please reach out to walker@polarnotion.com.
