--- title: 4 Simple Thoughts About What Makes a Good Website description: What makes a good website? Start with these easy steps. image: https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/hs-fs/file-40606616-jpg/blog-images/keys_to_a_good_website-resized-600.jpg --- [![half-a-bubble-out-logo](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/hubfs/half-a-bubble-out-logo.svg "half-a-bubble-out-logo")](https://www.halfabubbleout.com) [![Get Started Today](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/215313/ae79ea0c-5eec-45db-865d-7b327f29f7d9.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/215313/ae79ea0c-5eec-45db-865d-7b327f29f7d9) # [4 Simple Thoughts About What Makes a Good Website](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/bid/284118/4-Simple-Thoughts-About-What-Makes-a-Good-Website) May 15, 2013 / by [Kathryn Redman](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/author/kathryn-redman) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) I am writing this blog on my 20th anniversary “get-away” weekend from beautiful Lake Tahoe, California so it will be short and sweet! The topic today is “what makes a good website?” As with most marketing questions, there are a lot of ways to answer this question. A couple of weeks ago, we blogged about the importance of being able to be found by local searches, and how you can get better at that. If you didn’t read that, check it out [here](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/bid/275096/What-Makes-a-Good-Website-for-a-Local-Business). Clearly if we are asking what makes a good website, having it found is a good first step!   ![keys to a good website resized 600](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/hs-fs/file-40606616-jpg/blog-images/keys_to_a_good_website-resized-600.jpg)   Let’s assume today that your website has been found by someone looking for your services. What is it that makes someone “stick” to your website? **You might be familiar with the term “bounce rate” but if you aren’t it refers to how quickly someone bounces off your site once they have arrived**. If your site does not immediately present a solution to the question they are asking, or if it is not obvious to them, they will “bounce” right off. **Statistics tell us that 95% of all people who visit a website never return**, so you have to figure out how to capture traffic once it finds you. When you are looking at your website analytics, your bounce rate can help you determine if your site is presenting helpful information or not. So, how do you help make your website “sticky” once someone arrives? Four simple thoughts for you:   ## **1. Clean, Not Cluttered**   If I am overwhelmed by the amount of stuff on your site when I arrive, I won’t stay. While the tools of the trade give us opportunities to do some fancy stuff, too many moving parts can overwhelm the brain and shut down the search. To determine if you have the makings of a good website, try what is called the **“5 second test.”** **If I show you a page for 5 seconds and take it away, can you tell me what it was about?** With the speed of people moving through the internet, 5 seconds is sometimes all you get. In web design, the 5 second test will tell you what stands out on your site. If the feedback isn’t what you want people to see first, then it’s time to change things up! First impressions matter online just like they do face to face.   ![worlds worst website](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/hs-fs/file-40610968-jpg/blog-images/worlds_worst_website-resized-600.jpg)    ## **2.      ****Easy to Navigate** Help your customers know what to do once they are in your site. A good website guides them through a process and gives them options to help understand your services. Label your navigation with terms that are consistent with other websites. While it is tempting to get creative with navigation, if you confuse your potential customers that will not serve you well.   ## **3.      ****Benefits before features** Experts always answer questions nobody is asking. We call this the disease of the expert, and as the expert it sounds something like this in your mind. “I have to give them more information and explain everything really clearly.” It sounds good, full of logic and integrity, but the problem is that you know far more about your product or industry than the average customer will ever care about. **Your website’s job isn’t to tell everything you know, it is to create enough interest for a customer to take the next step**. The customer wants to know what is in it for them. What is the benefit of using your product or service? You are tempted to give them “features” which is all of the data behind the product. Simple example:   **Feature: We offer rack and pinion steering** **Benefit: The car steers easily for safer driving**   With the feature, you make the mistake of assuming your audience understands the power of rack and pinion steering. While a small handful might, your job is to make sure that the overwhelming majority understand, so **you have to explain why the feature matters**. The clearer you are, the better you will position yourself for new customers. You have to remember that as the expert, you are inside your company, looking out. **The public is outside, looking in which means they have a very different perspective**. It is absolutely true that simple statements work best for others and help make a good website, but simple statements sometimes feel incomplete, not entirely honest or thorough if you are an expert. This is part of why it helps for somebody else to help you with your writing and communication! More on this another time perhaps. In my business it’s great if you know I can provide business consulting, write creative ads, negotiate and buy media, do graphic design, build your website and help with your internet marketing, but what really matters is “can I get you more customers?” That is the benefit people come to me for, and they can glaze over if I am determined to explain in detail the “how” of it all.   ## **4.     ****Plain English**   Similar to #3, this has to do with the writing style. With a few exceptions for websites that are geared to highly educated audiences, the rule is that **your website should be written so that an 8th grader can understand what you are saying**. I know, it sounds strange, but the experts tell us that 8th grade English is the best place to aim in our communication. The old acronym, **KISS, Keep It Simple Stupid** is a truism for your website writing. Again, the goal is to make sure that someone coming to your site can understand who you are and what you are offering that will make their lives a bit better. That’s it for today. Four simple rules that are part of the answer to the question of what makes a good website. What are your thoughts or examples? Would love to hear from you.       **Read our related articles: ** [Answering the Question: What Makes A Good Website Suck?!](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/bid/293520/Answering-the-Question-What-Makes-A-Good-Website-Suck) [What Makes a Good Website is an Awesome Question](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/bid/262714/What-Makes-a-Good-Website-is-an-Awesome-Question)   Topics: [Lead Generation](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/lead-generation), [Website Development](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/website-development) ### Subscribe for Weekly FREE Business Strategies and Resources [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/215313/bbb29c6d-05bd-4754-b460-5715edf0ba4b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/215313/bbb29c6d-05bd-4754-b460-5715edf0ba4b) [![Resiliency Quiz](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/215313/d2402a14-057e-402d-9226-5ebb3ffb0cf0.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/215313/d2402a14-057e-402d-9226-5ebb3ffb0cf0) ### Latest Posts ### Posts by Topic - [Ask Method (1)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/ask-method) - [Best Practices (10)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/best-practices) - [Blogging (65)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/blogging) - [Business Development (75)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/business-development) - [Calls-to-Action (5)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/calls-to-action) - [Client Spotlight (5)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/client-spotlight) - [Content Marketing (69)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/content-marketing) - [Culture (12)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/culture) - [Customer Retention (7)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/customer-retention) - [Digital Marketing (10)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/digital-marketing) - [email marketing (41)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/email-marketing) - [employee engagement (7)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/employee-engagement) - [employee happiness (14)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/employee-happiness) - [employee motivation (8)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/employee-motivation) - [Employees (2)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/employees) - [Grow Your Business (38)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/grow-your-business) - [Guest Blogs (6)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/guest-blogs) - [HaBO News (8)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/habo-news) - [Holistic Strategy (1)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/holistic-strategy) - [Inbound Marketing (102)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/inbound-marketing) - [Internet marketing (157)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/internet-marketing) - [Keywords (25)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/keywords) - [Landing Pages (25)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/landing-pages) - [Lead Conversion (46)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/lead-conversion) - [Lead Generation (78)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/lead-generation) - [Lead Nurturing (19)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/lead-nurturing) - [Leadership (13)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/leadership) - [Link Building (17)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/link-building) - [Management (2)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/management) - [Marketing (48)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/marketing) - [Mobile Marketing (2)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/mobile-marketing) - [News (60)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/news) - [Non-Profts (1)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/non-profts) - [Online Public Relations (11)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/online-public-relations) - [Online Video (6)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/online-video) - [Our Thought Bubbles (38)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/our-thought-bubbles) - [Paid Advertising (2)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/paid-advertising) - [Passion & Provision (29)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/passion-provision) - [Personal Reflections (1)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/reflections) - [Promotion (4)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/promotion) - [Sales (7)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/sales) - [SEO (85)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/seo) - [small business (104)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/small-business) - [Social Media (111)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/social-media) - [The Leadership Contrarian Newsletter (28)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/the-leadership-contrarian-newsletter) - [Traditional Marketing (19)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/traditional-marketing) - [video marketing (3)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/video-marketing) - [Website Development (70)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/website-development) - [Website Traffic (6)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/topic/website-traffic) [More Blog Topics](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/bid/284118/4-Simple-Thoughts-About-What-Makes-a-Good-Website#) ### Posts by Month - [July 2026 (1)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2026/07) - [June 2026 (4)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2026/06) - [May 2026 (5)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2026/05) - [April 2026 (4)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2026/04) - [March 2026 (4)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2026/03) - [February 2026 (4)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2026/02) - [January 2026 (5)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2026/01) - [December 2025 (1)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2025/12) - [April 2023 (1)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2023/04) - [March 2023 (2)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2023/03) - [December 2022 (1)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2022/12) - [September 2022 (1)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2022/09) - [March 2022 (1)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2022/03) - [February 2022 (2)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2022/02) - [January 2022 (4)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2022/01) - [September 2020 (1)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2020/09) - [October 2019 (1)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2019/10) - [January 2018 (2)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2018/01) - [December 2017 (1)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2017/12) - [August 2017 (2)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2017/08) - [May 2017 (1)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2017/05) - [December 2016 (1)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2016/12) - [October 2016 (2)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2016/10) - [July 2016 (1)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2016/07) - [April 2016 (2)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2016/04) - [March 2016 (3)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2016/03) - [February 2016 (7)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2016/02) - [January 2016 (10)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2016/01) - [December 2015 (12)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2015/12) - [November 2015 (12)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2015/11) - [October 2015 (12)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2015/10) - [September 2015 (15)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2015/09) - [August 2015 (20)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2015/08) - [July 2015 (23)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2015/07) - [June 2015 (19)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2015/06) - [May 2015 (17)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2015/05) - [April 2015 (20)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2015/04) - [March 2015 (15)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2015/03) - [February 2015 (16)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2015/02) - [January 2015 (23)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2015/01) - [December 2014 (22)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2014/12) - [November 2014 (22)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2014/11) - [October 2014 (21)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2014/10) - [September 2014 (22)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2014/09) - [August 2014 (20)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2014/08) - [July 2014 (22)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2014/07) - [June 2014 (25)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2014/06) - [May 2014 (26)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2014/05) - [April 2014 (24)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2014/04) - [March 2014 (21)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2014/03) - [February 2014 (20)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2014/02) - [January 2014 (25)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2014/01) - [December 2013 (25)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2013/12) - [November 2013 (28)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2013/11) - [October 2013 (27)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2013/10) - [September 2013 (27)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2013/09) - [August 2013 (21)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2013/08) - [July 2013 (23)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2013/07) - [June 2013 (24)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2013/06) - [May 2013 (31)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2013/05) - [April 2013 (19)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2013/04) - [March 2013 (9)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2013/03) - [February 2013 (8)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2013/02) - [January 2013 (2)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2013/01) - [September 2012 (2)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2012/09) - [August 2012 (1)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2012/08) - [July 2012 (2)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2012/07) - [May 2012 (1)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2012/05) - [April 2012 (1)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2012/04) - [February 2012 (1)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2012/02) - [October 2011 (1)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2011/10) - [August 2011 (1)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2011/08) - [July 2011 (3)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2011/07) - [March 2011 (2)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2011/03) - [December 2010 (1)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2010/12) - [September 2010 (1)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2010/09) - [May 2010 (1)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2010/05) - [February 2010 (1)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2010/02) - [January 2010 (1)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2010/01) - [August 2009 (1)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2009/08) - [April 2009 (1)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2009/04) - [March 2009 (2)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2009/03) - [February 2009 (1)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2009/02) - [January 2009 (6)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2009/01) - [November 2008 (1)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2008/11) - [August 2008 (3)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2008/08) - [July 2008 (2)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/archive/2008/07) [Older Blog Posts](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/bid/284118/4-Simple-Thoughts-About-What-Makes-a-Good-Website#) ![HaBO Logo W Tag Knockout](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/hubfs/HaBO%20Logo%202022/HaBO%20Logo%20W%20Tag%20Knockout.svg)   SEARCH THIS SITE - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. [About](https://www.halfabubbleout.com/about-us) [Our Book](https://www.fulfilledthebook.com) [Marketing Services](https://www.halfabubbleout.com/our-services) [Consulting](https://www.halfabubbleout.com/our-services) [The Leadership Contrarian Newsletter](https://info.halfabubbleout.com/leadership-contrarian-newsletter) [Blog](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog) [Podcast](https://www.habovillage.com/podcast/habovillage) [Team](https://www.halfabubbleout.com/team) [Careers](https://www.halfabubbleout.com/team) [![facebook](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/hs-fs/hubfs/facebook.png?width=47&name=facebook.png)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/bid/284118/4-Simple-Thoughts-About-What-Makes-a-Good-Website#) [![x.com](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/hs-fs/hubfs/new%20social%20media%20icons/x-com.png?width=47&name=x-com.png)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/bid/284118/4-Simple-Thoughts-About-What-Makes-a-Good-Website#) [![linked-in](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/hs-fs/hubfs/linked-in.png?width=47&name=linked-in.png)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/bid/284118/4-Simple-Thoughts-About-What-Makes-a-Good-Website#) [![instagram](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/hs-fs/hubfs/new%20social%20media%20icons/instagram.png?width=47&name=instagram.png)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/bid/284118/4-Simple-Thoughts-About-What-Makes-a-Good-Website#) [![youtube](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/hs-fs/hubfs/youtube.png?width=47&name=youtube.png)](https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/bid/284118/4-Simple-Thoughts-About-What-Makes-a-Good-Website#) #### [Contact Us](https://www.halfabubbleout.com/contact) [Accessibility Information](https://www.halfabubbleout.com/accessibility-information) Half a Bubble Out Marketing, Advertising and Consulting 680 Rio Lindo Avenue, Suite 40 Chico, CA 95926 (530) 345-8295 [info@halfabubbleout.com](mailto:info@halfabubbleout.com) [Terms & Conditions](https://www.halfabubbleout.com/terms-and-conditions) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.halfabubbleout.com/privacy-policy) | [Earnings Disclaimer](https://www.halfabubbleout.com/earnings-disclaimer) ©Copyright 2026 Half a Bubble Out ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Kathryn Redman", "url" : "https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/author/kathryn-redman" }, "datePublished" : "2013-05-15T15:59:00.000Z", "headline" : "4 Simple Thoughts About What Makes a Good Website", "image" : [ "https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/hs-fs/file-40606616-jpg/blog-images/keys_to_a_good_website-resized-600.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/blog/bid/284118/4-Simple-Thoughts-About-What-Makes-a-Good-Website", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.halfabubbleout.com/hubfs/HaBO%20Logo%20W%20Tag%20RGB.png" }, "name" : "Half a Bubble Out" } } ```