Web Design Basics: 5 Things You Should Do Before You Build Your Website

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Jollof rice is a dish that stands out for Africans, particularly the Nigerian Jollof and Ghanaian Jollof. A longstanding competition exists between both countries over who cooks it better.  The truth is the two countries are “Jollof cooking authorities”. These countries serve as an interesting case study in this regard.

Jollof is a brand on its own both in Nigeria and Ghana. Jollof, like every brand, has a well-detailed identity and is expected to create a specific effect on its consumers/target audience.

Let’s set aside the culinary debate as we employ the “Jollof cooking technique” as a means to build a website that stands out and captures the attention of the target audience.

A well-prepared Jollof is expected to create a lasting impact on the consumer, creating in them a desire for more of that relishing experience. In the same vein, an effective website aims to attract visitors and convert them into loyal customers. In this article, we’ll explore the five essential steps to building a website, drawing inspiration from the process of cooking a smokey Nigerian Jollof or tasty Ghanaian Jollof.

1. Get your ingredients (Define Your Website’s Purpose and Goals)

The Jollof rice recipe consists of specific sets of ingredients. Without these ingredients, it is delusional to nurture the possibility of enjoying a tasty Jollof. Likewise, a successful website begins with a clear understanding of its purpose and goals. It is important to determine what you want to achieve with your website. Is it to showcase your products or services, provide information, or sell goods online? These questions (s) must be answered without leaving a stone unturned.

Then consider your target audience, know their needs, and how your website can provide value to them. By identifying your objectives from the outset, you can ensure that your website’s design, content, and operations aim to help you achieve your outlined goals.

The ingredients in Jollof rice work together to create a sumptuous dish. Similarly, your website elements should harmonise to create a seamless user experience.

2. Prepare and Season (Planning and Designing Your Website)

Before cooking Jollof rice, preparation is crucial. Sorting the implements (pots, pans, grillers, etc.) and ingredients (meat, stocks, salts, seasoning) is imperative. This is the stage where the rice is washed, the meat is seasoned and boiled to extract stock, and pepper and carrots are diced, among other processes. Similarly, designing a website requires careful planning and thoughtfulness. Take time to define the structure and layout of your website, considering user experience (UX) principles. Create a sitemap that outlines the main pages and their hierarchy. Pay attention to the visual elements, such as colour schemes and typography, ensuring they reflect your brand identity. Like seasoning is expected to add flavour to Jollof, the design elements give your website a visual that appeals to and compels your target audience.

3. Cook and Stir (Developing Engaging and Relevant Content)

The cooking process of Jollof involves stirring and adding various ingredients at the right time. Similarly, your website’s content should be engaging, relevant, and regularly updated. Write copies that communicate your brand message clearly and resonate with your target audience who are your potential customers. Employ multimedia elements like quality images, videos, and graphics that ensure a pleasing user experience. Always stir up your content strategy by keeping your content fresh and valuable to keep your audience engaged and encourage return visits.

4. Taste and Adjust (Testing and Optimizing Your Website)

A skilled Jollof cook knows the importance of tasting the dish and making adjustments as needed. Likewise, testing and optimizing your website is crucial for its success. Conduct usability tests to ensure that the website is intuitive, user-friendly, easy to navigate and accessible across devices and browsers. Collect feedback from users and make necessary adjustments to improve the user experience. Analyze user behaviour using tools like Google Analytics to help make data-driven decisions. Jollof can be adjusted in taste to suit individual preferences. Likewise, your website should adapt and evolve to meet user needs.

5. Serve and Share (Launching and Promoting Your Website)

After cooking Jollof rice, it’s time to serve and share it with others. The moment when a steaming pot of Jollof rice is served is synonymous with the launch of your website. However, the work doesn’t end there. You need to promote your website to attract visitors. Implement search engine optimisation (SEO) techniques to enable your website’s visibility in search engine results. Leverage social media platforms, content marketing, and online advertising to reach your target audience. Encourage friends, family and visiting audience to leave a review and share your website with others, this will spread the fame of the website and increase the possibility of reaching your potential customers.

The difficulty of determining which is best between Nigerian Jollof and Ghanaian Jollof has transcended over time. This is not likely to change because each country employs its flavours and styles to achieve a unique taste. Building a website that stands out requires careful planning, creativity, and attention to detail. By following the five essential steps outlined above, you can create a website that attracts and engages your target audience, just like a well-prepared plate of Jollof rice. Whether you’re aiming for a Nigerian Jollof or Ghanaian Jollof kind of website, the goal remains the same: to capture attention, deliver value, and convert visitors into loyal customers. 

Just like cooking the legendary Nigerian/Ghanaian Jollof, building a website that leaves a lasting impression has four requirements: Creativity, Experience, Expertise and Innovation.

Our team at Child provides you with these qualities and much more. We are committed to making your vision a reality. You only need to hit the [link] and communicate your desires. Now sit back and watch your dreams come alive.

Visit our services page to explore our offerings.