So, what makes a website good?

There is an endless amount of information (and misinformation) about what makes or breaks a website.

Thick and heavy textbooks have been written on the subject, only to become obsolete within just a couple of years of their publication.

Nevertheless, there are certain key principles that have remained unchallenged ever since the very first website made its debut on the World Wide Web and we’ll try to cover them here, briefly and concisely.

A good website is one that satisfies the needs of its visitors while meeting the objectives of the owner. It should load quickly, be user friendly (easy to navigate), and be compatible with every major browser, and be tailored to your targeted audience.

MORE SPECIFICALLY, A GOOD WEBSITE IS ONE THAT . . .

• Looks clean and uncluttered
• Has a good balance of colors
• Uses fast-loading, good-quality graphics
• Is centered on the screen
• Has its own domain name
• Uses ad-free hosting
• Is easy to browse
• Presents no obvious bugs
• Is free of broken links and missing images
• Provides information clearly, concisely, and coherently
• Makes good use of grammar and spelling
• Explains its purpose
• Provides contact details

Naturally, there are many other aspects that influence the quality of a website. But overall, if it meets the criteria outlined above, then it’s definitely a good website!