The ABC’s of Crafting that Perfect Online Presence.

So, you've decided to embark on the epic quest of building a website. Fantastic!  I’ve structured a funny yet quirky take on Web Design. Always strive to be different…so if you can get past the corny aspect of this elementary-style article, there are gold nuggets of information. It’s a valuable piece. I promise. 

**A is for Aesthetics:**

Forget what they say about beauty being skin deep. When it comes to websites, beauty is the whole package – the skin, the muscles, and maybe a dash of glitter. People click faster when they like what they see, so slap on some digital mascara and make that website dazzle. I’ve said it before and I’ll keep saying it, Pinterest is the bees knees for inspiration. Create a board for inspiration and start pinning websites that speak to you. Pull a little something from here, a little something from there and voila, web design poetry! Well, it’s a start for sure. 

**B is for Branding:**

Your brand is like your website's superhero costume. Nail that logo, pick a color scheme that doesn’t induce migraines, and for the love of pixels, stay consistent! Your brand is your cape – wear it proudly.  Struggling to figure out your branding? Get my free workbook here. 

**C is for Content:**

Content is king, and your audience is the royal court. Whether you're selling widgets or wacky ideas, make your content so engaging that people forget they're supposed to be working. Pro tip: sprinkle in personalization and humor where you can. You want your content to be relatable and real. Reposting memes and other peoples opinions can be great, but you will build your target audience when you can be authentically you. 

**D is for Domains:**

Your domain name is like your website's alter ego. Keep it short, memorable, and avoid any accidental PG-13 situations. No one wants to explain why they accidentally ended up on a site they can't talk about at the dinner table. Bonus tip, try to secure our website with a dot com or dot ca (For us Canadians eh?) It all works towards ranking on Google. 

**E is for Engagement:**

Think of your website as a happening party, and engagement is the cool kid who brings everyone together. Social media buttons, comments sections, valuable blog posts– make your visitors feel like they stumbled upon the digital Coachella of their dreams.

**F is for Functionality:**

Your website should work like a Swiss watch, not a potato clock. Test everything, fix those broken links, and for the sake of online sanity, please make sure your buttons do what they say. Ain't nobody got time for misleading buttons.

**G is for Graphics:**

Visuals are the unsung heroes of web design. From eye-catching banners to images that could make a stone smile, invest in graphics that tell your story. Just remember, a picture is worth a thousand clicks! There are some amazing resources for royalty free images that you can use if you don’t have the budget to pay for stock photos. But also, use your own photos if you can! The cameras on phones these days are nothing to scoff at. A few youtube tutorials and you’ll be golden. Either way, just don’t steal images from Google willy nilly. Kapiche?

**H is for Hosting:**

Your website needs a home, and hosting is like picking the right neighborhood. Choose wisely, because no one wants to live in a sketchy part of the internet. Secure, reliable, and with plenty of virtual sunlight – that's the hosting dream. Also, budget is something to consider. Obviously, I am privy to Squarespace but there are a ton of options out there also. I mean, a TON. Do some research and look up reviews before settling on one. 

**I is for Interaction:**

Interactivity is the secret sauce to keep visitors coming back for more. Quizzes, polls, and maybe even a virtual high-five button – get creative and turn your website into a digital playground. If you have a value add to offer, place it in multiple areas in your website. 

**J is for Jargon:**

Don’t turn your website into a secret society where only industry experts have the golden key. Speak the language of your audience, not in binary code or techno-mumbo-jumbo. Skip the SEO, SERP, KW, etc. Keep it simple, silly! 

**K is for Keywords:**

Your website needs to be BFFs with search engines. Research keywords like your digital life depends on it. Strategic placement is the name of the game – but don't overdo it. Google can smell desperation from a mile away. Again, Google Search is an awesome resource in itself for this and even better, it’s free. There are some other high tech platforms to use, but start small. Those big guys can break the break. Ahrefs, I’m looking at you, SMH. 

**L is for Loading Speed:**

Ain't nobody got the patience for a slow-loading website. Optimize those images, and make sure your website is faster than a caffeinated hummingbird on rollerblades.

**M is for Mobile Optimization:**

The era of desktop dominance is over. Your website needs to look just as dashing on a smartphone or tablet. If it doesn't, you risk losing visitors faster than a cat chasing a laser pointer. If you can, test it on different models of phones, Apple, Android, you get the picture.

**N is for Navigation:**

Make sure your visitors can find what they're looking for without a treasure map. Intuitive navigation is like the GPS of the internet – make wrong turns a thing of the past.

**O is for Optimization:**

SEO is your digital soulmate. Optimize your website for search engines like it's a competitive sport. Meta tags, alt text, and all the other SEO sorcery – sprinkle it liberally.

**P is for Privacy:**

With cyber sharks swimming in the digital ocean, ensure your website is Fort Knox secure. SSL certificates, secure payment gateways – keep your visitors' data safer than 

**Q is for Quality Content:**

Your content should be a delightful cocktail of quirky charm and valuable information. Serve up a concoction that leaves your visitors saying, 'Wow, I need more of that in my life.' You want to keep people coming back, remember it takes a potential customer to see your offer 7 times before acting. 

**R is for Responsiveness:**

Your website should be responsive enough to make a chameleon jealous. Whether on a 27-inch monitor or a smartwatch, ensure your site adapts like a shape-shifting ninja. Again, this is where we test test test! 

**S is for Social Proof:**

Whether it's customer testimonials, glowing reviews, or the occasional victory dance, let your visitors know that others have tread the digital path before and survived – nay, thrived! In all seriousness though, Social Proof is the best marketing tactic you can get. Don’t be afraid to ask past clients (albiet the happy ones) to leave you a review. Make it easy for them. A form or quick email. It’s a level of free marketing that will keep paying it forward. 

**T is for Testing:**

Before you unleash your website into the wild, be the ultimate beta tester. Click everything, explore every nook and cranny, and fix those sneaky bugs like a digital exterminator.

**U is for User Experience:**

Make your website the Disneyland of the internet. A happy user is a repeat user, so sprinkle joy, simplicity, and a hint of pixie dust throughout their digital journey. Make it intuitive. Nobody likes a scavenger hunt to find the information they need. 

**V is for Visual Hierarchy:**

Guide your visitors through a visual adventure. The most important elements should scream 'Look at me!' while the less crucial ones can enjoy a comfy spot in the background.  Think call to actions, contact buttons and value add info. Make it all stand out. 

**W is for White Space:**

Don’t fear the white space; embrace it like a zen master. A cluttered website is like a crowded subway – people want off at the next stop.

**X is for XML Sitemap:**

Okay, finding words that start with 'X' is hard, but XML sitemaps are crucial. They help search engines understand your website's structure, ensuring it gets the spotlight it deserves.

**Y is for You-Centric:**

Ok, Y is equally as hard as X, so this was a stretch but still important! Your website is not an autobiography; it's a love letter to your audience. Make it about them – their needs, their desires, and their journey through your digital wonderland.

**Z is for Zeal:**

I know, I know, but we’re done now! Your enthusiasm is contagious. Infuse every pixel with passion, and let the world see that your website is not just a collection of code; it's a digital manifestation of your boundless zeal.

That was NOT easy there, but we did it. And I can’t end my own blog post without tooting my own horn right? If this all sounds like a bore and you are yawning at the thought of it, no problem. You can hire me instead.

Actually, my wallet would prefer it!