Any blog-based business, small business or website dedicated to a cause or passion in essence represents its image, which makes the tasks of website development, design and maintenance some of the most important elements involved in the process. In years past, the development of a website was a fairly straightforward process – in terms of design and search engine optimization alike – but the ever-evolving role of technology and its influence on the internet has created new requirements, demands and in many cases, opportunities. If you want to ensure that your website has a solid foundation in terms of its effectiveness and reach, then continue reading to find out about a few simple strategies that can assist you in the process.

Optimize for Mobile

With around 25% of internet traffic now originating from mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, any website should be configured to display mobile pages for these users. While it is possible to navigate most traditional websites with mobile phones, it makes the process less efficient for your readers and visitors. In turn, this can lead to frustration and less time spent on your website – which in the world of business, is a death knell. You want as many people as possible pinging your website, and there are a variety of free add-ons and software utilities available that can convert your traditional website into a mobile-friendly version with little technical expertise needed.

Integrate Social Media

If your website or blog is already up and running, then there should be no excuse to not have a social media presence. Depending on your niche, you may find Facebook, Instagram, Vine, Twitter or Google Plus to be ideal for your audience, but this takes experimentation and requires a presence on each to fully measure. There are hundreds of social media widgets and applications that can be used within your website to promote and encourage interaction with your brand outside of the website itself – comment sections that work with Facebook accounts, widgets that display your page and most recent status updates and pop-ups to encourage your readers to engage with your profiles are just a few examples of proper social media integration.

Simplify Contact Options

Nobody wants to hunt down a tiny link at the bottom of the page in order to contact you – these options should be prominently featured and optimized for maximum effectiveness. Many websites include a module or widget on one side of each web page that provides telephone numbers, email addresses and social media links in order to convey an array of options to users in a simple-yet-effective format. These options should be easily visible, aesthetically pleasing and brief in their descriptions.

Utilize a CMS

Now more than ever, static pages are irrelevant and unnatural in the scheme of pinging your website and dealing with search engine optimization. Flexible systems known as CMS (content management systems) are a much better way in which to blog and create dynamic websites that require little technical expertise to maintain. The most popular CMS currently is WordPress, which has been used by millions to create an unprecedented number of styles and functionalities for businesses, blogs and non-profits alike.