10 Tips to Take Your Website to the Next Level

2024 will be an exciting year of evolution for the World Wide Web. 2023 saw the explosion of artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT, Dalle, Google Bard, and others. As these tools surge in use and adoption, website owners must consider leveraging AI to enhance their websites. Both by integrating AI into their website and using AI to help craft and generate content, images, SEO strategies, and more. So, as you review these 10 tips to take your website to the next level in 2024, consider using AI to help you get there:

#1: Create Content Quality

• Update and refresh content regularly to keep it relevant.
• Invest in high-quality, engaging, and shareable blog-style content.
• Avoid long-form content and choose bulleted lists over paragraphs. 
• Use headings with meaning. Avoid “About Us” and instead try something like “Leading Web Developers.”
• Make your copy clear, concise, and easy to read.

#2: Ensure Website Accessibility

• 16% of your visitors most likely have a disability. Ensure your site is accessible to all your users by having an ADA-compliant website.
• Implement an accessibility monitoring tool to flag accessibility issues as they arise, allowing you to stay compliant easily.

#3: Review Your Mobile User Experience

• For many of our clients, we see upwards of 65% of their traffic coming from mobile users. Mobile is the most common way people view your website. If your site is not responsive, make this a top priority.
• Test your mobile site across as many devices as possible to ensure a good user experience. 
• Buttons, links, tabs, and form fields should be spaced appropriately for finger tapping.
• Your mobile and desktop sites should have the same content. Less is not more. Keep your experience consistent.

#4: Improve Loading Speed

• Reduce unused code (CSS, JavaScript, plugins, etc). 
• Utilize content delivery networks (CDNs) for faster load times.
• Optimize your images and graphics.

#5: AI Integrations

• Implement AI-driven language translation to cater to a global audience, making your content accessible to users in different languages.
• Employ AI-driven content moderation to filter out inappropriate or harmful content in user-generated content sections, ensuring a safer user experience.
• Use AI to optimize website performance by analyzing server logs and user behavior to ensure fast loading times and minimal downtime.
• AI can be used for cybersecurity purposes, detecting and preventing fraudulent activities on your website, ensuring a secure user experience.
• AI-driven content generation tools can help create personalized and dynamic content.

#6: Utilize Your Analytics

• Install an Analytic tracking software on your website if you haven't already. Google Analytics 4 is one of the most popular free tools.
• Review your analytics regularly to see what is working and what is not. Make incremental changes to improve your website.
• Make sure you understand how to read your analytics, and if you don’t hire a professional.

#7: Image Optimization

• Images should be compressed to provide a fast-loading experience.
• Ensure images are relevant and engaging. A photo of two hands shaking does very little to convey value.
• Ensure images enhance your user experience; if they don’t, consider removing them for improved load performance.

#8: Search Engine Optimization

• Write high-quality, interesting content. 
• Boost your search engine click-through rates with engaging title and meta description tags.
• Build up your backlinks from high-authority websites.
• Optimize your images.
• Run a search engine optimization audit to find where your website needs attention. 

#9: Security Measures

• Regularly update your website’s plugins and software. It is safest to be up to date.
• Implement a Web Application Firewall to block access for known bad actors.
• Don’t use system defaults for usernames; consider if your email as your username is a good idea.  

#10: Community Building

• Become a thought leader in your space by giving back: speak, join a board, host an event…
• Foster a sense of community by engaging with your users through newsletters and posting on social media platforms. 
• Keep them updated on new features, trends, or news relevant to your products or services.
• Post regularly to your website and social channels while maintaining a consistent cadence for your newsletters.

While the tips above can lead to remarkable growth in 2024, we understand it can be overwhelming. If you need expert guidance, 10 Pound Gorilla is here for you. Our dedicated team specializes in consulting, design, development, optimization, marketing, and strategic planning. We are well-equipped to assist you in implementing the above strategies to enhance your website.

Image Credit: Adobe Firefly