How to Build a High-Converting Website: Design, UX, and SEO Tips

Like most things in life, my web development skills weren’t built overnight. They started with curiosity, grew through hands-on experience, and were sharpened by real-world business needs.

My first website? A WordPress site in 2007, purely for my own use. Back then, I had no clue what I was doing—just experimenting with layouts, colours, and fonts, trying to make something that felt mine. It wasn’t perfect, but it was the beginning.

By 2010, I was diving deeper. I received technical training in Weebly, where I learned the importance of UX (user experience) design—making sure websites weren’t just pretty but intuitive and easy to navigate. Around that time, I also worked with Microsoft SharePoint and ended up creating a fully digital version of my senior yearbook. This was my first experience with structured content management, an essential skill I still use today.

Fast forward to 2022, and my web development journey came full circle when I started working with Kalleigh Sharp, CEO of NV Beauty and the National Association of Estheticians. Suddenly, I was back in WordPress, refining, updating, and restructuring two different websites. On top of that, I was managing content across just about every social platform you can think of.

By 2023, I took my learning into overdrive, self-studying multiple CRMs, automation tools like Zapier, web development suites, and coding platforms like GitHub and PowerShell. I wanted to understand not just how websites looked—but how they functioned behind the scenes.

Then came 2024, and my biggest challenge yet: Charters Bay. Working alongside Eric Simtob and an incredibly skilled developer, I helped redesign the company from the ground up—including its website. We took a business that was bursting with potential but weighed down by inefficiencies and turned it into something scalable, streamlined, and built for growth.

Through all of this, I’ve learned a few core truths about building a website that actually works. It needs to be functional, accurate, easy to update, and most importantly—bot and SEO-friendly.

Here’s how to make sure yours is.

1. Design for People First, Search Engines Second

Great web design is not about flashy graphics or complicated animations—it’s about making things easier for your users. If people can’t navigate your site quickly, they’ll leave. And if Google can’t understand your content, it won’t rank.

Good UX (User Experience) Looks Like This:

✅ Navigation is effortless. Visitors should find what they need in three clicks or less.

✅ It’s built for mobile. Over 50% of web traffic comes from phones—your site should adjust seamlessly.

✅ Load times are fast. Google recommends under 2 seconds—compress images and avoid clunky code.

A website should feel natural to use. If you’ve ever visited a site and struggled to find the "Contact" page or had to scroll endlessly for basic info—you know how frustrating bad UX can be.

2. Structure Your Website Like a Pro

A well-structured website is like a well-organized home. Everything has its place, making it easier for both users and search engines to navigate.

Must-Have Pages for Any Website:

📍 Homepage – Your first impression. Keep it clear, concise, and engaging.

📍 About Page – People want to know who they’re working with—don’t skimp on this!

📍 Services/Products – Be specific. What do you offer? Why should people choose you?

📍 Contact Page – Make it easy for people to reach you. Include a form, phone, and email.📍 Blog (Optional but Powerful!) – Helps with SEO and positions you as an expert.

Each page should serve a clear purpose. If it doesn’t contribute to your business goals, it probably doesn’t need to exist.

3. Make Your Website SEO-Friendly (Without Overcomplicating It)

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is how your website gets found on Google. It can feel technical, but the basics are simple.

🔹 Use Clear Headings (H1, H2, H3) – Google reads your site like an outline. Keep it structured.

🔹 Optimize Your Metadata – This includes title tags and meta descriptions—make them keyword-rich but natural.

🔹 Internal Linking – Link between your pages to help visitors (and Google) navigate your site.

🔹 Use Schema Markup – This helps Google understand special content like reviews, FAQs, and events.

If this sounds overwhelming—don’t worry. The key is to start simple and build over time.

4. Think Long-Term: Make It Easy to Update

The biggest mistake people make? Building a website that’s impossible to maintain.

💡 Use a CMS (Content Management System) like Wix Studio or WordPress so you can update without needing a developer.💡 Create a Style Guide to keep fonts, colors, and branding consistent.💡 Automate Where Possible – Tools like Zapier can connect your website to emails, CRMs, and more.

The goal is to build once and refine as needed—not start from scratch every few months.

5. Store & Format Content the Smart Way

A well-organized site isn’t just about what’s visible—it’s also about what’s behind the scenes.

📂 Folder Structures Matter – Keep images, documents, and code neatly stored.

📑 Name Files Properly – "final_final2_version3.jpg" isn’t helpful. Use clear names.

🔄 Backup Regularly – Websites break. Always have a restore point.

These small habits can save hours of frustration later.

Final Thoughts: Build a Website That Works for You

Over the years, I’ve built, redesigned, and optimized more websites than I can count. Every single one has taught me something new.

A great website isn’t just a digital storefront—it’s a powerful tool that can work for you, bringing in leads, supporting your clients, and growing your business.

My goal? To help you build a website that converts, engages, and grows with your business.

Need help? Let’s chat. I’d love to help bring your vision to life.