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Having a website is crucial to your business's success. But just having a website isn't enough - it needs to be search engine optimized, mobile-friendly, secured by an SSL certificate, and have a favicon. Wait, what's a favicon? Don't worry, we'll explain it all in this article!
We're Bizfront, a website design company in Calgary, and we're here to help you learn how to check if your website is up to snuff. We know that not everyone is a web developer, which is why we've compiled a list of easy ways for even the most tech-challenged folks to check their website's SEO, mobile-friendliness, SSL security, and favicon status.
So, let's get started!
1. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
If your website isn't optimized for search engines, you're missing out on a lot of potential traffic. Here's how to check if your website is search engine optimized:
Google Yourself: Type your website's name or keywords related to your website into Google's search bar and see if your website shows up in the search results. If it doesn't, then you need to work on improving your SEO.
Meta Descriptions: Check if your website has meta descriptions. These are brief descriptions of your website's content that appear under your website's name in search results. If your website doesn't have meta descriptions, you're missing out on the chance to entice potential visitors to click on your website.
Page Titles: Check if your website has page titles. These are the titles that appear at the top of your browser window and in search results. If your website doesn't have page titles, search engines won't know what your website is about, which will hurt your SEO.
Keywords: Check if your website has relevant keywords in its content. Keywords are the words and phrases that people use to find your website on search engines. If your website doesn't have relevant keywords, then it won't appear in search results for those keywords.
Why it Matters: If your website is not optimized for search engines, potential customers won't be able to find your website, which means you're missing out on potential business.
2. Mobile-Friendliness
More and more people are browsing the internet on their smartphones and tablets, which means that having a mobile-friendly website is essential. Here's how to check if your website is mobile-friendly:
Responsinator.com: Use a tool like Responsinator.com to test how your website looks on different devices. If your website looks weird on mobile devices, then it's not mobile-friendly.
View on Different Devices: View your website on different devices like desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones to see if the website is adapting to different screen sizes. If the website appears the same on all devices, it is not responsive.
Why it Matters: Over 50% of web traffic is from a mobile device. If your website is not mobile-friendly, customers will have a poor experience on your website, which can lead to frustration and a negative impression of your business.
3. SSL Security
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) security is essential for any website that collects sensitive information like passwords, credit card information, or personal information. Here's how to check if your website is secured by an SSL certificate:
Padlock Icon: Look for the padlock icon in the address bar of your web browser. If the padlock is closed, then the site is using HTTPS, which means it has an SSL certificate and the connection is encrypted.
SSL Checker: Use an online tool like SSL Checker to check if your site has a valid SSL certificate and if it is properly installed. If your website doesn't have an SSL certificate, it's time to get one!
Why it Matters: If your website doesn't have SSL security, visitors may be hesitant to enter sensitive information like personal information or credit card information, which can lead to lost business. Some browsers (like Chrome, the #1 browser with 63% of all web traffic) won't even let customers view your site without a warning and an override. Yikes!
4. Favicon
A favicon is a small icon that appears in the browser tab next to your website's title. It might seem like a small thing, but having a favicon is essential for branding and credibility. Here's how to check if your website has a favicon:
Browser Tab: Simply look at the browser tab when you're on your website. If you see a small icon next to your website's title, then your website has a favicon. If you don't see one, then you need to create one.
Online Favicon Generator: Use an online favicon generator to create a favicon for your website. You can use your logo or any other image that represents your brand.
Why it Matters: If your website doesn't have a favicon, it can look unprofessional and lack branding, which can harm your business's recognition and credibility. Wasn't the whole point to build trust and get people to contact you?
Now that you know how to check if your website is up to snuff, you can take action to improve it if necessary. Remember, having a website that is search engine optimized, mobile-friendly, secured by an SSL certificate, and has a favicon is essential for the success of your business online.
At Bizfront, we specialize in creating websites that are up to snuff and meet all of these criteria. If you need help optimizing your website or creating a new one, we're here to help. Contact us today to learn more!