Introduction + What is a Website?
Overview of class + final goal (live website)
Habakkuk 2:2
“Write the vision and make it plain…”
FOCUS
This year, you will create your own website from the ground up. You will learn how to turn an idea into a digital experience by developing a purpose, planning your content, and designing a website that communicates your message clearly.
God tells us to “write the vision and make it plain” (Habakkuk 2:2). In this class, you will practice creating a clear vision, making a plan, and bringing your ideas to life through website design.
Icebreaker Discussion
1. Icebreaker Discussion
What makes a good website?
Say one thing but you can not repeat an answer
Homework
- In three sentence share what makes a good website.
- Brainstorm and write 3 website ideas. Even if you have your mind made up of what you want give your 1st idea and 2 backup answers.
Think About It
Every great idea starts with a problem. The clearer the problem, the stronger the solution.
A good website is not just attractive. It helps visitors accomplish what they came to do quickly and confidently. The best websites balance design, usability, speed, accessibility, and clear messaging.
Here are the most important characteristics.
1. Clear Purpose
Within the first 5 seconds, visitors should know:
- Who you are
- What you do
- Who you help
- What action they should take next
Example:
"Professional Branding, Photography, and Website Design for Small Businesses."
2. Simple Navigation
Keep menus easy to understand.
A typical navigation might include:
- Home
- About
- Services
- Portfolio
- Pricing
- Blog
- Contact
Visitors shouldn't have to guess where to click.
3. Strong Visual Hierarchy
Good websites guide the eye.
They use:
- Large headlines
- Plenty of white space
- High-quality images
- Consistent typography
- Clear buttons
People naturally scan pages instead of reading every word.
4. Mobile Friendly
Over half of web traffic comes from phones.
A good website looks just as good on:
- Desktop
- Tablet
- Mobile
5. Fast Loading
Pages should ideally load in under three seconds.
Ways to improve speed:
- Compress images
- Limit unnecessary plugins
- Use quality hosting
- Cache pages
6. Consistent Branding
Every page should feel like it belongs to the same business.
Use consistent:
- Colors
- Fonts
- Logo
- Photography style
- Tone of voice
7. Easy to Read
Avoid huge blocks of text.
Instead use:
- Headlines
- Short paragraphs
- Bullet lists
- Icons
- Images
8. Clear Calls to Action
Every page should answer:
"What should I do next?"
Examples:
- Schedule a Consultation
- Book Now
- Get a Quote
- Shop Now
- Download Guide
9. Trust Builders
Visitors need confidence before buying.
Include:
- Reviews
- Testimonials
- Google Reviews
- Portfolio
- Certifications
- Awards
- Years of experience
- Client logos
10. Accessibility
A good website works for everyone.
Include:
- Good color contrast
- Readable font sizes
- Alt text for images
- Keyboard navigation
- Descriptive button text
11. SEO Foundation
Good websites are easy for search engines to understand.
They include:
- Proper headings (H1, H2, H3)
- Optimized images
- Meta titles
- Meta descriptions
- Internal links
- Fast performance
12. Professional Photography
Real photos almost always outperform generic stock photos.
Use:
- Team photos
- Office photos
- Product photography
- Behind-the-scenes images
- Client work
- Beautiful photography
- Excellent recipe organization
- Strong SEO
- Clear headline
- Benefits before features
- Customer testimonials
- Multiple calls to action
- Showcase work immediately
- Minimize distractions
- Tell the story behind each project
- Make contacting the creator easy