The tech industry is constantly changing, and the process of web development is no exception to this. Every improvement is made with the goal of providing users with an innovative and seamless experience.
This is all well and good, but it can present a challenge for business owners who have a fixed web design and development budget. Few companies have the resources to rebuild their website every year, and such levels of chopping and changing does not facilitate a particularly good user experience anyway.
So, what strategies does a web development company recommend you implement to ensure your website remains accessible and modern for many years to come? Continue reading to find out!
Choose the right CMS
These days, most websites are built using what’s known as a CMS, or content management system. This software makes website development far simpler — even professional developers prefer it to the fiddly and time-consuming process of coding from scratch.
The trick to future-proofing your website often comes down to simply picking the right CMS system. There are hundreds of them out there, each designed for websites of differing sizes and scopes. If you operate within the healthcare industry, it’s advisable to consider enlisting the services of a specialized agency that excels in custom healthcare web design.
If you’re building a pretty basic website, it’s likely that most CMS platforms will meet your needs. However, it’s still a good idea to go with one of the big providers, like WordPress or Drupal. These platforms have their own developers working behind the scenes to improve functionality and security. They release major updates every year or two, and often all you (or your development team) will need to do is click a few buttons to keep your website running smoothly.
Simple is best
When it comes to design, don’t try and complicate things. A simple, minimal interface is far more likely to stand the test of time than one that tries too hard with colour and graphics.
Speak to your designer about implementing a minimal theme with consistent font choices, a branded (yet subtle) colour theme, and high-quality photographs that will continue to look good for years to come.
Update your content
Having a blog section on your website allows you to share exciting updates with your customers. It’s also a good idea from an SEO perspective. However, before starting a blog, make sure you understand exactly how much work it’s going to be. You’ll need to write new content at least every few weeks and ensure it’s relevant and engaging for your target audience.
Many business owners think they have the time for this sort of thing but quickly abandon the task. Suddenly, the most recent blog post on a website will be from a couple of months ago, suggesting to users that either the company is no longer open for business or at the very least, doesn’t have a lot going on.
If you want a blog but know you don’t have the time, find an SEO company that can do the hard work for you.
Monitor accessibility
Everyone has the right to access content and services on the internet. Unfortunately, not all websites and applications are designed with accessibility in mind. Those with visual, auditory, or physical disabilities often find websites simply too difficult to navigate, particularly on smartphone devices.
One of the best things about advancements in technology has been improvements to accessibility. New tools are being invented every day to test UX and development from an accessibility perspective; make sure to look through these reviews of accessibility audit tools and pick out the one you need!
Be aware of privacy laws
Data privacy is one of the most discussed issues today. As a business owner, it is your responsibility to make sure you are collecting and storing user data in a safe and appropriate manner. It’s also your responsibility to stay on top of changes to data privacy laws for all regions you do business in.
As a business owner, it’s crucial to prioritize data privacy by staying informed about evolving laws and taking steps to safeguard user data, such as utilizing vpn services, you can try and get Surfshark VPN.
If you don’t have a compliance officer or privacy expert within your business, make sure your web development services team understand and are able to explain your rights and responsibilities.
Consider ongoing costs
Finally, be realistic about the fact that you’re probably (in fact, almost certainly) going to put aside some money for ongoing maintenance. This type of work doesn’t necessarily make obvious improvements to your site but ensures it remains functional and secure. You’ll need to pay your web development services team to fix bugs and patch holes if you are expecting customers to continue to use your site.
The best way to future-proof your website is to partner with a web development company that understands your goals and resources. They’ll be able to keep you updated on advancements in the development industry that could help keep your website running smoothly and at minimal cost.
