1. Introduction
A Minimum Viable Website (MVW) is a simple, effective website designed to get your online presence established quickly. The goal is to create a functional site that can be indexed by Google without getting bogged down in complex designs or features.
2. Web Design Principles
2.1 Design for Conversions
- Consider your website as the central hub for your business and traffic
- Focus on ranking on Google, getting traffic, and driving conversions
2.2 Design for Good User Experience
- Ensure proper heading structure
- Use black text on a white background for readability
- Optimize images and page speed
- Avoid bloated designs or unnecessary plugins
2.3 Design for Simplicity
- Avoid flashy designs
- Use pleasing fonts, colors, and layouts
- Aim to keep visitors on the page longer
3. Design Elements
3.1 Fonts
- Use standard fonts like Helvetica, Arial, Roboto, or Poppins
- Use one font for headings and another for paragraph text
- Implement proper font hierarchy (H1, H2, H3, H4)
- Ensure headers are darker or bolder than regular text
3.2 Colors
- Use complementary colors (opposite on the color wheel)
- Limit to two main colors for your site
- Use tools like colors.co to generate complementary color schemes
4. Core Pages of an MVW
4.1 Homepage
- Center focus of your brand
- Include:
- Hero image
- Call to action
- Brief introduction
- Featured content or categories
4.2 Blog Archive Page
- Central hub for all blog posts
- Keep it simple with or without a sidebar
- Consider adding a call to action for email list or products
4.3 Blog Post Page
- Individual blog post content
- Minimize white space
- Ensure featured images don’t distract from content
- Include a clear heading structure and table of contents
4.4 About Me Page
- Share your story and connect with your audience
- Aim for 1,200 to 1,500 words
- Include a call to action for social media profiles
5. Navigation
5.1 Menu
- Start with the four core pages (Easy mode)
- Add categories as you grow (Medium mode)
- Eventually, create a customized header menu (Advanced mode)
5.2 Footer
- Include important links (disclaimers, disclosures)
- Add featured posts or an about me link
- Consider including social media links
6. Key Takeaways
- Don’t overcomplicate your initial design
- Focus on writing good content and building authority
- Start simple and add features as you grow
- Prioritize getting indexed by Google and attracting traffic
Remember, the goal is to create a functional, simple website that can grow with your content and traffic. Don’t get caught up in perfecting the design initially – focus on creating valuable content and establishing your online presence.
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