Ah, the charm of a polished and functional WordPress website! It not only captivates its intended audience but also catches the eye of esteemed award panels, like our very own Bluehost Creators Awards. Curious how to win? Let’s show you the way to website award success.
In today’s digital landscape, your website serves as the face of your brand, making its design and functionality pivotal in making a lasting impression. A well-crafted WordPress website combines aesthetics with seamless functionality, creating a user experience that keeps visitors engaged and coming back for more and this is exactly what the awards look for!
As we mark the Bluehost Creators award’s 3rd anniversary, we’re delving into the essential elements that truly define an exceptional website. In this blog, we’ll uncover valuable insights on how to distinguish your WordPress website and increase your chances to win a website award. These insights are drawn from the experiences of our winners from the previous years. For a sneak peek into the winners’ circle from last year, head over to our Creators Awards 2022 winners post.
About Bluehost Creators Awards
The Bluehost Creators Awards are our way of rolling out the red carpet for the stars of the WordPress world – and hey, that could be you!
Be it a website, a blog, a plugin, or a theme – if it’s built on WordPress, we are eager to witness its excellence.
This award is a tribute to the remarkable talent and dedication of not just business owners and bloggers, but also creative professionals. Business owners and bloggers encompass a spectrum, from startups and students to self-starters building their online presence on WordPress. On the other hand, creative professionals, including web developers, web designers, and digital marketing agencies catering to enterprises, as well as those passionate about crafting themes and plugins on WordPress, are all esteemed contributors we seek to honor.
How to win a website excellence award?
Winning this WordPress spectacle is like finding hidden treasure, but worry not! We’ve got the map—uh, I mean, the golden tips—that’ll guide you to the treasure chest. Behold the keys to unlocking victory:
Show off your creativity
Let your website be a canvas where your creativity can dance! Make it so visually appealing that it leaves people in awe. Think of your website like a canvas, waiting for your creative brushstrokes to bring it to life. Like Steve Jobs said, “Creativity is just connecting things”. So connect the vibrant strokes of uniqueness that make your site a masterpiece! It can include how you’ve played with the colors, the structure, the elements, and the personality of your website—everything that adds to the artistry of your online presence. Be careful not to overthink things, and make sure your idea can be distilled in a creative but simple way.
Have a look at this website by our last year’s winner in the creative web professional category, Harry Hamernik. The vibrant imagery, captivating colors, thoughtfully structured layout, and engaging elements collectively contribute to the sheer artistry of this website.
Be the innovator
Think of your website like an inventor, exploring new ideas in the vast internet world. Look at what other popular players in your field are doing, and let your website pave a new path in the digital landscape. It’s all about trying new things that make your website truly exceptional and competitive at the same time.
Innovating with your website means injecting creativity and trying out new, exciting features to set it apart. Consider adding engaging elements to attract visitors. Utilize captivating visuals and videos to tell your website’s story in a compelling way. Personalize the user experience by tailoring content to individual preferences, making visitors feel more connected. Incorporate helpful chatbots for quick assistance and easy navigation.
Ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience for all users, including those with disabilities, through accessible design. By embracing these innovative approaches, you can elevate your website and provide a memorable experience for your audience.
To help you understand better, here’s a glimpse at another one of our last year’s winners, Mike McAlister’s website. The seamless synchronization of visual elements, especially the use of this banner image as a lift-off cover to insinuate it with the essence of the website is not only visually appealing but also displays innovation at its best!
Ensure smooth navigation for users
Creating a website that users can effortlessly navigate is akin to crafting a well-organized and welcoming store. Imagine your website as a neatly arranged shop, where customers can easily find what they’re looking for, browse through items comfortably, and have an overall enjoyable shopping experience. Similarly, a website with intuitive navigation, clear information, and easy access to services or products enhances user satisfaction and encourages them to explore more. It’s about making your user’s digital journey smooth and enjoyable, just like a memorable shopping trip that keeps them coming back.
For example, here’s a quick peek at Joshua Ogbonnia’s website, one of our last year’s winners. The website offers a seamless user experience—intuitive navigation, clear information, and easy product access enhance user satisfaction and inspire further exploration.
The need for speed
Your website should load faster than a cannonball. Swift websites steal the show!
Speed is more than a technical attribute; it’s the linchpin of user satisfaction. A website that glides and flows, unburdened by sluggishness, guarantees a delightful user experience that keeps them coming back for an encore.
Beyond just user preference, speed holds the key to where your website stands in the SEO arena as well. Search engines like Google are the discerning judges of this high-speed race. A website that accelerates swiftly up the loading time ranks higher on the results page. It’s like a sprinter surging ahead, claiming the spotlight. The faster your website, the more likely it is to grab Google’s attention, ensuring a front-row seat in the grand spectacle of online visibility.
Bluehost has been awarded as top-tier WordPress hosting 2023 by Review Signal!
Check out here how effortlessly we handled the tests scoring perfect results. Our enhanced WordPress hosting for peak performance, with PHP 8.2 upgrades, caching improvements, faster load times (99.9% uptime), and global CDN integration, our dedication to excellence and faster website speed earned us the Top-tier WordPress hosting recognition in 2023. 🙂
Effortless user experience with the foundation of functionality
In the digital world, a website’s functionality is the cornerstone. Imagine a customer visiting an e-commerce website to purchase a product. The ‘Add to Cart’ button should function seamlessly—click, and it’s added, mirroring the smoothness of a well-oiled machine. If the process is efficient and effortless, ensuring users can easily browse, select, and purchase, it’s a mark of excellent functionality.
The responsiveness in design ensures that users can smoothly interact with the website across devices, showcasing high functionality and standing out to your users. Every button and link on your website should work seamlessly, like a well-trained crew on a ship.
For a deeper understanding, let’s explore Pixel Print Media & Perfekt’s website, another winner of our 2022 Creators Awards. The design’s simple, and faster responsiveness guarantees users a seamless interaction across various devices, showcasing top-notch functionality and making a lasting impression. Every CTA and link on this website function seamlessly leading a user straight to their destinations.
A branding should be unforgettable
Think of your branding like a memorable logo or tagline that makes your brand stand out in the market. It’s about creating a visual and message package that’s unforgettable for your audience. Your branding should catch the eye and signify your business, helping you navigate the competitive market with distinction.
Take Coca Cola, for example—simple, yet it signifies quality. The website reflects Coca-Cola’s classic, vibrant red branding and effectively communicates its brand message and history. Similarly, your branding needs to be equally powerful and recognizable. It’s this distinct branding that sets you apart, much like a pirate flag distinguishes a ship. It’s not just a symbol; it’s your mark of excellence that leaves a lasting impression.
Engage your community
Imagine your audience as the lively streets of a bustling port town. Engaging them is like hosting a vibrant market day—interact, offer what they seek, and keep the energy high. Responding to comments, sparking discussions, and involving them in your brand’s journey is akin to keeping the town’s festivities alive. The more you engage, the more bustling and lively your ‘community port’ becomes, attracting even more visitors who want to be part of the vibrant atmosphere.
A brand’s success hinges on engaging its community. Imagine each interaction as a merchant offering goods—the more attractive and engaging, the more visitors it attracts. It’s this lively engagement that creates a thriving community, essential for your brand’s voyage towards success.
One prominent example is Goodreads: The brand has created an inviting community where book enthusiasts unite to share their reading escapades, explore fresh literary finds, and form connections with like-minded readers.
Content is crucial
Fill your website with valuable content that people crave. Content is like the heart of your website. It’s the stuff that people come to see—like articles, pictures, and videos. Valuable content makes your website shine, and people will keep coming back to see what’s new and exciting!
To make your website awesome, you need to fill it with good content. Share things that people will enjoy and find helpful. The more amazing content you have, the more amazing your website becomes!
To grasp the essence, take a swift tour of Michelle Lee’s photography website. Michelle, a recipient of the 2022 Creators Award, has brilliantly showcased what draws visitors—her exceptional, high-quality pictures that illuminate her website, ensuring visitors return for the latest and most captivating content!
Enhanced user experience on all devices
Your website should look great on phones, tablets, laptops—everything. Aye, adaptability is the key! Your website needs to be a smooth ride for everyone, no matter the device they’re using. Ensuring this adaptability is crucial—it’s like providing a comfy seat to every visitor, making their journey on your website enjoyable and hassle-free.
Embracing adaptability ensures your audience has an excellent experience, wherever they are and whatever device they’re using.
For instance, explore Chris Schoenwald’s website, an esteemed recipient of the 2022 Creators Award. Chris has crafted a remarkable website that seamlessly adapts to various devices—phones, tablets, laptops—ensuring a seamless browsing experience for everyone, regardless of the device they are using.
Last but not least, infuse passion and dedication
Let your love for your website shine through! 🙂
Creating a website is more than just a technical task—it’s an expression of your passion and dedication. Allow your love for what you do to shine through in every pixel, every word, and every feature of your website.
By understanding your audience, staying updated on trends, and being open to experimenting with new ideas and technologies, you can infuse innovation into your website, amplify its value and influence and increase your chances to become one of the winners of this year’s Creators Awards!
Now you know how to increase your chances to win a website award. And if you’re all revved up and ready to be the WordPress hero, enter the 2023 edition here. 🌟
