Wow-Worthy Websites: Madison+Main’s 7 Musts to Building Success Through Your Site
Written by: Lauren McKinney
In the digital world, your website is your storefront, your handshake, and your best salesperson—all rolled into one. And just like an outdated, dusty brick-and-mortar shop wouldn’t attract customers, an outdated, clunky website won’t do your brand any favors.
A wow-worthy website is more than just a pretty homepage; it’s a powerful business tool that boosts credibility, attracts customers, and—most importantly—converts. So, let’s break down the must-haves for a website that wows, works, and wins.
1. First Impressions Matter – Make Them Count
You have 0.05 seconds to make an impression on a visitor (yes, you read that right!). According to Forbes, first impressions are 94% design-related, meaning your visuals, layout, and branding are the first things that determine whether visitors stay—or bounce faster than a bad Tinder date.
✅ Use a clean, modern design
✅ Keep branding consistent (colors, fonts, and logo placement)
✅ Ensure intuitive navigation—users shouldn’t have to go on a scavenger hunt to find your services
And please, ditch the clutter—if your homepage looks like a yard sale of competing CTAs (calls to action), your visitors won’t know where to go next.
2. Make It Mobile-Friendly – or Risk Losing Half Your Visitors
Let’s be real—no one wants to pinch and zoom their way through a website that wasn’t designed for mobile. According to Google, over 60% of searches come from mobile devices, and 57% of users say they won’t recommend a business with a poorly designed mobile site.
Your site should adapt seamlessly to every screen size, whether your audience is browsing on a phone, tablet, or oversized desktop monitor. Not sure if your site makes the cut? Run it through an Online Mobile-Friendly Test to see if your UX needs a little TLC.
3. Speed Matters – Because No One Likes to Wait
If your website loads slower than grandma’s Wi-Fi, your visitors will leave—and fast. A delay of just one second can reduce conversions by 7%, according to HubSpot.
🚀 Compress images and files
🚀 Minimize unnecessary plug-ins
🚀 Upgrade to a faster hosting provider
Still slow? Might be time to talk to the experts–-and we’re proud to be partners our clients can count on to help them maximize their marketing, and minimize your loading time.
4. SEO: Because a Gorgeous Website is Useless if No One Can Find It
Having a sleek, professional website is great—but if it’s buried on page two of Google, it’s not working for you. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is what helps your website rank higher in search results, bringing more eyes (and potential customers) to your business.
Quick SEO wins:
📌 Use relevant keywords naturally throughout your site (but don’t overstuff!)
📌 Optimize meta titles and descriptions to boost click-through rates
📌 Add alt text to images (Google likes accessible content!)
📌 Publish fresh content regularly—blogs, updates, or case studies
Pro tip: Google loves websites that provide value. HubSpot reports that companies that blog get 55% more website visitors than those that don’t—so keep your content fresh!
5. Strong Calls to Action – Because Visitors Need a Nudge
If your website isn’t guiding visitors toward action, you’re missing out on valuable conversions. Whether you want people to book a call, sign up for a newsletter, or make a purchase, your Call to Action (CTA) needs to be:
✅ Clear & concise (“Get a Free Quote” > “Learn More”)
✅ Eye-catching (contrast colors help!)
✅ Placed above the fold (don’t make visitors scroll to find it)
And let’s talk about button copy: “Submit” is boring. “Let’s Get Started!” sounds way more inviting, don’t you think?
6. Security & Trust – Because Customers Are Cautious
Would you enter your credit card details into a sketchy-looking website? Nope. And neither will your customers. A secure site builds trust and ensures your visitors feel safe browsing (and buying!)
✅ SSL Certificate (if your site isn’t HTTPS, Google will penalize you)
✅ Trust badges (especially if you handle payments)
✅ Privacy policy (transparency matters!)
According to Cybersecurity Ventures, cybercrime is expected to cost the world $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, so securing your site isn’t just a suggestion—it’s a necessity.
7. Keep It Fresh – Regular Updates Are Key
A website that hasn’t been updated in years looks outdated and untrustworthy. Keep things fresh by:
📌 Updating images and banners to reflect current promotions
📌 Refreshing your About and Team pages—people love knowing who’s behind the brand
📌 Removing broken links and outdated information
Think of your website like a storefront window—if it’s dusty and hasn’t changed in years, people will assume your business is out of date too.
Ready to wow? It’s as easy as point and click:
Your website isn’t just a digital placeholder—it’s a powerful business tool that should work just as hard as you do. Whether you need better branding, faster loading speeds, or stronger calls to action, a little TLC can turn your site from “meh” to “WOW!”
If your website could use a refresh (or a complete overhaul), Madison+Main is here to help! From stunning web design to SEO strategies that put you on the map, we know what it takes to build wow-worthy websites that drive results.
Ready to upgrade your site? Reach out today! We’d love to chat and help your business stand out online – just call us at (877) 623-6246 or fill out our contact form to get started!