What Really Goes Into A Website that Works?
This I think is the $64,000 question we would all like the answer to.... What really does go into a website that works?
We all know what we should be doing, we have the training here, either certification or bootcamp or like me right now the SAC but whichever one you're on or did, we are given the basic structures for every website and in that we are all proabably very similar. But then what do we do?
We come to our workshop every day.....
aka... Wealthy Affiliate ! Get out our tools... and get working on whatever blog, article, post, page, we have planned. Maybe we are following a webinar or have some training that another member has posted that we are going to implement on our website, or use a new plugin to create that perfect button to make the call to action work better, or perhaps a landing page and we have the email set up to do next... for me its juggling a bit of everything including trying to write an ebook to offer as a freebie for subscribers. There is a never ending list of things we have to do in our workshop.
But...
We are alll building something unique. There is no blueprint because we know that one size does not fit all... one website does not suit everyone... one approach to blogging doesnt suit the next person. That makes this business of affiliate marketing/online marketing a little more hit and miss... a little more exciting..
I ask myself.... Have I REALLY got a website that works?
Well I suppose it depends on what I mean by 'a website that works'... your interpretation might be different to mine depending on why you are here... what your goals are. Mine are emblazoned on my home page.. Im here to make money for my tennis playing son.. he's off to uni soon, with a tennis scholarship but four years from now he will be out.. and on the journey of a professional tennis player.. hes going to need financial support. 'Step forward Mom !'
The impetus for my blog today was the blog that Kyle wrote about what we want/would like from Wealthy Affiliate going forward... They are updating, planning new platforms, better functions, making our world a better place ... well there is one thing I would really like.. Something that very occaionally gets offered in Webinars with Jay and I have never been lucky enough to be chosen... the hot seat....
I would like a facility that I could have my website critiqued/ looked at/ analyticised by Jay/Kyle in person ( or another well respected member that I don't know about). This is a huge ask.... as there are hundreds of thousands of people here who would all probably like the same thing..... So I have absolutely no idea how this could be implimented....
Maybe you have to be top 100 to put in a request, or top 50... so you are a very active participant in WA and work in the platform helping others etc. Or you have 100 blogs on your website - got to be an established website to be worth their time. Or maybe its a paid feature that you have to book your website in for.
What do you think? This would really help me know that I dont have any fundametal mistakes, the areas that I am not working my best at, whether I have things fully optimsed etc. I know that there are some analytic tools out there that you can use on your website but they are computer generated and thats not the human touch of saying ' well you haven't got this on your blog about 'SEO' but actually thats not really that important, what is important is that you have no meta tags or youve not got enough this or that....
What are your thoughts?
Recent Comments
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Good Morning Helen,
Using Site Comment of WA is nice but in general, does not give an idea of what people think of your website. Everybody gives rather "nice" comments.
My personal experience with Feedback on WA has been very different. I have heard from nearly bad to oh how lovely. Feedback is a reflection of real-life visitors.
I have come to the conclusion you cannot make everybody happy. That is the reason why I continue doing my thing and sticking to my style.
Greetings from the south of Spain, Taetske
Helen,
In your place I would not seek an answer within the community but in your readers. If they like the content, they will surely tell you, don't doubt it.
Claudio
Would be a fantastic idea wouldn't it? There would have to be some control, but maybe the top 100 get the chance to have their websites appraised... We will have to see !
Absolutely ! If it was set say at ranked 100 or 100 posts on your site we would all be working like beavers !
Helen, there are many answers as Mike said to the many questions you have raised. One I will remark on that I think is key overall.
Is the website personable or just a stoic site with links and posts only. Yes, we all put an about page, yet I see many that do not even put a photo. While that is not required, for a blog I feel it's important for the reader. they have to feel an attachment to the writer and owner of the blog. Even if it's a niche website I feel it will be just as important.
You state that very nicely. Others can comment on what they think is important, but this is key I feel.
take care,
Bill
I think you are right, Bill, a feeling of being like the writer, makes us like one website over another. I read somewhere that its a great idea to add in personal details to a blog, you own anecdotes or stories showing how the topic may have affected you as the reader reads it and feels affinity with you because they have felt the same.
Thankyou for your comments,
Helen
Exactly, which is why YouTube is so good if one speaks well enough and good body language it assists and makes one look much more caring and understanding overall.
The same goes for the written word if done well. sometimes trying to look too perfect seems unauthentic.
Take care,
Bill
So true! Im a little shy of being on camera, I could do it if it was a sort of tutorial over my shoulder or use my voice as a voice over for an animated video - Ive done these ! I have used a site called renderforest, to make great animations.. with my voice over ! 🤣
They are! I have had great fun doing them ! The learning curve was steep but once I got it I am always asking.. now what could I do an animation about now ! 😂
Animated about affiliate marketing with link directly to your WA website, and also Jaaxy or whatever you want to send it to. Put a pin with a link to the video on Pinterest which could speak about your niche. just a few ideas.
Have a nice evening
Hi Helen.
So many points are raised in your post that I guess we all feel to one degree or another.
I have been on here since Jan 2019 and still feel like a newbie.
The "look" of a site is a personal thing, if you show 100 people your site you may get a massive range of comments just down to the look and design, just like one of the great foods of the world "Curry" Some like it hot and some like it plain.
As far as the technical back office side goes I really just trust the training and the experts on here.
The one thing that overrides everything is the content, all the good/great sites I look at all have great, interesting and unique content, no matter what the subject. I have passed comment on the feedback section here, some of the subjects have meant nothing to me BUT after reading a couple of pages I found myself really interested and wanting to read another page, to me that's the real key.
Kind Regards
Mike
I like that thought Mike, I too have felt the same thing when reading pages asking for feedback or comments, that it has so interested me I want to read more ! Great way to get the feel for a website!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on what really goes into a website that works? it is a very interesting question and I think that the answer would be.....
It depends.....
I still consider myself new to all of this and still learning so much but would be really interested in seeing what others have to say of this.
Jennifer
I think you are right jada it does depend, I suppose thats what makes us all individuals ! We like different things !
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I think it’s a great idea. I know the website isn’t ready yet but it would be great to know what I need to make it better
My thoughts exactly!