Translating your website can unlock entirely new markets, boost your SEO, and show customers you’re ready to meet them in their language. And the good news is that you don’t need a huge budget or a professional translator on speed dial.

In this guide, we’re covering quick and affordable methods — from AI-powered translation tools to simple WordPress plugins — to help you create a multilingual site so you can offer multilingual content to users worldwide. Let’s get started!

Why You Should Translate Your Website

Before we get into how, let’s briefly tackle why. If you’re on the fence, consider these key benefits.

1. Expand your audience reach: Breaking past the English-speaking crowd can bring in customers from around the globe. 
2. Boost conversions and sales: People tend to buy more readily in their native tongue. Translating your site lowers the barrier to purchase, whether you’re selling digital services or physical products.
3. Improve user experience (UX): Showing that you value non-English readers by giving them a tailored language experience builds trust and feels more inclusive.
4. Enhance SEO: Offering content in multiple languages helps you capture less-competitive foreign-language keywords. You can also set up localized URLs or subdirectories for different regions, further improving search rankings abroad.
5. Build more brand trust: Providing content in a user’s language sends a message: “We care about you.” That resonates deeply with visitors and can boost brand loyalty.

Key Considerations Before You Begin

Translating your site isn’t just a matter of running everything through Google Translate and calling it a day. Here are a few factors to think about before you dive in:

• Identify your target markets: Which countries or languages are most relevant to your business? It might be Spanish for a U.S.-based store, or French for a Canadian audience. Focus on the few that matter most.
• Assess your budget and resources for translation: Decide if you can afford professional translators for critical pages (like product descriptions) or if you need to rely on AI and other technology tools. Consider a hybrid approach if brand voice is crucial but your funds are limited (more on this below).
• Know your platform and tech constraints: Are you on WordPress, Wix, Shopify, or a custom-coded site? Different platforms have different translation solutions (and complexities).
• Consider the SEO challenges: Translating text alone might not be enough. For real international SEO, you’ll want hreflang tags, localized keywords, and possibly subdirectories or subdomains for each language.
• Don’t forget about brand voice and quality control: Machine translation can produce awkward results. If your site’s tone and clarity are key, consider human proofreading for your top-traffic pages, at the very least.

Translation Approaches: AI vs. Human vs. Hybrid

There are a few approaches you can take to translate your site. Before we dive into the tools and methods, let’s briefly compare the pros and cons of AI versus human versus hybrid, or a combination of the two.

How To Translate Your Site Quickly and Easily

In this section, we’ll explore different methods in detail, from simple browser tools to advanced plugins. Whether you’re on WordPress or using another site builder, there’s an approach that fits your needs, and we’ll explore some of the most popular choices below.

1. Browser-Based Translation (Good for Quick Previews)

If you just want a quick sense of how your site looks in another language — or if you’d like to offer a one-click translation option for users — most major browsers have you covered.

Best for: Quick internal checks or adding a small convenience for visitors (though it won’t look super professional)

Pros: 

• Instant
• No installation required
• Free

Cons:

• Usually for personal or user-side translation, not an official website version
• You can’t effectively track or optimize SEO with this method

Here’s what to do:

1. Enable translation in your browser settings
   1. In Chrome, go to Settings > Languages > Google Translate > and turn Use Google Translate on or off.
   2. In Safari, launch the Settings app and go to General > Language & Region. Translation is on by default, but here, you can choose your preferred languages for translation.
   3. In Firefox, go to Settings > General > Language and Appearance > Translations. Translation is on by default, but here, you can choose your preferred languages for translation.

2. Translate your site
   1. In Chrome, select Translate on the right of the address bar, or right-click anywhere on the page and select Translate to [Language].
   2. In Safari, click the Translate button in the Smart Search field and choose a language.
   3. In Firefox, click the translation icon in the toolbar and select your desired translation language from the bottom dropdown menu.

2. AI-Powered Translation Tools

If you want a straightforward, do-it-yourself solution, AI can be the powerful tool you’re looking for. 

Best for: Lean teams that need a broad brush approach, with the option to fine-tune important pages manually

Pros: 

• Generally free or low-cost
• Easy to use
• Fast

Cons:

• Machine translations can be clumsy
• You might need to manually polish important copy

Below, explore some popular AI translation tools and how to use them.

1. Google Translate

Google Translate is one of the longest-running and most popular online translator tools. You can use it to translate individual pages or your entire site into different languages.

Here’s what to do:

1. Go to Google Translate.
2. Choose Websites.
3. Enter your site URL.
4. Select your target language.

2. DeepL

DeepL is widely praised for producing more natural-sounding translations than Google in certain languages, especially European languages like German or French.. It offers a free version for limited text, plus paid tiers for larger volumes. 

Here’s what to do:

1. Go to DeepL.
2. Select your target language.
3. Enter the text from your website that you want to translate.

3. Lokalise

Lokalise is more of a localization platform with a free trial, offering translation and project management.

Here’s what to do:

1. Go to Lokalise.
2. Sign up for a free trial.
3. Upload files to translate.
4. Choose human or machine translators, depending on your site and needs.

4. ChatGPT

ChatGPT or other AI text-generation APIs can produce translations, but you’ll need custom prompts and potential coding to integrate them into your site.

Here’s what to do:

1. Log in to ChatGPT to access the model.
2. Enter a prompt asking it to translate your website copy from one language to another.
3. For more accurate translations, you might include context about your website in your prompt.

3. WordPress Translation Plugins

For WordPress users, installing a dedicated plugin can seamlessly manage translations across your site. 

Best for: WordPress sites wanting a built-in, trackable solution for both auto and manual translations.

Pros:

• Automatic creation of language switchers
• SEO benefits
• Easy to manage from the WP admin

Cons:

• Some advanced features cost extra
• Not applicable to non-WordPress users

Below are four standout WordPress translation plugins we recommend looking into.

1. Weglot

Weglot combines automatic and manual translation — it instantly translates site content into over 100 languages, then lets you tweak or edit in a user-friendly interface. It’s also easy to set up. 

Get an API key from Weglot, install their plugin, pick your languages, and you’re off.

Here’s what to do:

1. Sign up for a Weglot account to get your API key.
2. Install the Weglot Translate plugin on your WordPress site.
3. After activating the plugin, navigate to Weglot and enter your API key.
4. Select your Original Language (such as English) and set the Destination Languages.
5. Click Save.

2. Polylang

Polylang offers a free base plugin that can translate posts, pages, media, and even categories manually. It also has advanced SEO tools like built-in hreflang support, SEO-friendly permalinks, etc.

Here’s what to do:

1. Install and activate the plugin. 
2. Access its settings by navigating to Languages.
3. For more advanced features, upgrade to a Pro plan.

3. WPML

WPML is one of the most popular translation plugins for WordPress. It isn’t free like the previous two plugins on this list, but it’s powerful, making it a longtime favorite for big, complex sites. It offers broad language coverage, with over 40 languages out of the box. Plus, custom variants.

This tool is intuitive and easy to use. However, it’s mostly focused on manual translation.

Here’s what to do:

1. Install and activate the plugin. 
2. Assign the Translator role to specific users.

4. TranslatePress

TranslatePress adds a language switcher to your site: a dropdown menu or button that visitors can use to select a translated version of a page.

A language switcher can enable each visitor to your site to select their preferred language. This provides a quick, convenient way to translate your website without leaving the page.

Here’s what to do:

1. Install and activate the plugin.
2. Go to Settings > TranslatePress > General. In the “All Languages” section, there will be a default language set for your website. Here, select some alternate languages.
3. Scroll down to the Language Switcher settings. With TranslatePress, you can display your language switcher with shortcodes, as a menu item, or with a floating language selection menu.
4. Using the dropdown menu, you can choose to display the language names, flags, or both.
5. When you’re finished, save your changes.
6. Add the switcher to a page by adding a shortcode block: ‘[language-switcher]’. On the front end, you’ll be able to see your list of available languages, and any visitor can easily read your website in their preferred language simply by selecting it.

4. Manual (Human) Translations

For absolute precision and brand alignment, you can’t beat a real human who knows the language well. This approach makes sense if your site has crucial marketing copy or nuanced product descriptions.

Best for: Key landing pages, product descriptions, or brand storytelling sections you can’t afford to get wrong.

Pros:

• Highest-quality, tailored copy that resonates with local markets

Cons:

• Slower turnaround
• Higher cost
• Requires ongoing maintenance for updates or new blog posts

You can take a few different approaches here. 

Some business owners choose to hire freelancers, which you can do on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or ProZ. These platforms make it easier to find translators specializing in your industry and at a wide range of price points. 

Even though they aren’t an employee, you can share your style guide or brand guidelines with your chosen translator to help them keep their voice consistent.

Another option is to hire an agency. Services like Gengo or Translated.com offer quick, professional translations per word. Typically, with this type of service, you pay by word count or by project size, so translation is more expensive for larger sites or more complex projects.

5. Combining Methods: The Hybrid Approach

If you want to keep costs low while avoiding cringe-worthy translations, consider a best-of-both-worlds approach: use AI for the bulk of your translation needs, and have a human do manual checks to proofread or polish the most important pages.

Best for: Small businesses that want decent translations but can’t afford to pay for every single page.

Pros:

• Strikes a balance between speed, cost, and quality

Cons:

• You still need at least a bit of budget for final edits

Here’s what to do:

1. Run your entire site through an AI tool or plugin to generate rough translations.
2. Hire a freelancer or agency to refine your most critical pages (homepage, product pages, sign-up forms, etc.).
3. Track user feedback and analytics to see if visitors spend more time on the new language versions.

SEO Considerations for International Content

Translating text is one thing, but making sure search engines can discover and rank these new language pages is another. Keep these pointers in mind.

• URL structures:
  • Consider subfolders (e.g., example.com/fr/) or subdomains (fr.example.com) for clarity.
  • Some big brands use country-coded TLDs (example.fr) if they’re focused on a particular region.
• Hreflang tags:
  • These tags tell Google and other search engines: “This page is intended for French speakers,” or “This version is for Spanish speakers.”
  • Implement them correctly to avoid duplicate content issues.
• Localized keywords:
  • Translating “shoes” directly into Spanish might yield moderate results, but local slang or synonyms may do better.
  • Use local keyword research to find real terms people use.
• Translated media:
  • Titles and meta descriptions matter for SEO. Don’t forget to localize them as well — helps search engines match your pages to the right audience.
• Analytics:
  • Look at traffic from different countries, bounce rates, time on page, etc. Tweak if you see low engagement for certain languages.

Putting It All Together: Quick Start Checklist

Ready to translate your site? To wrap up, here’s a checklist you can follow as you get started.

1. Choose your translation method: Decide on an AI, manual, or hybrid approach based on budget and how critical perfect translations are.
2. Focus on key pages first: Translate the pages most important to your business goals (like product listings or a signup page).
3. Add a language switcher: Make it easy for users to switch languages with a clear dropdown or flags.
4. Proofread your most crucial copy: Even if you rely on AI for 80% of the site, get a human to review your homepage or sales pages.
5. Implement basic SEO steps: Use hreflang tags, create subdirectories, and localize your meta tags.
6. Test, launch, and track: Check analytics for engagement from new regions. Iterate your strategy if you see poor metrics or notice additional opportunities.

Translate Your Site Today

Translating your site can be the difference between local niche success and a thriving international brand. Whether you opt for a zero-cost AI solution, a specialized WordPress plugin, or a fully human-led approach, offering content in multiple languages can open doors to markets you’ve never tapped before.

Remember, you don’t have to be a multilingual whiz — even a partial translation can yield more traffic, sales, and brand loyalty from non-English speakers. If you’re looking for a reliable home for your newly global site, DreamHost’s hosting solutions offer fast, secure, and scalable plans to support your international ambitions.

The post How To Translate Your Site in Multiple Languages (Quick & Easy) appeared first on DreamHost Blog.

By the 25th time you answer, “What’s your product return window?” you wish you could clone yourself just to answer the same customer questions over and over. But even worse, the customer asking, “How can your product solve my very important business problem?” is waiting for an answer while you’re tied up with all the FAQs.

The good news: a well-crafted FAQ page can take over the heavy lifting for you, serving as a round-the-clock support rep that addresses shoppers’ lingering doubts, confusion, or hesitations before they ever need to hit “Contact Us.” Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or a small team already juggling a million tasks, an FAQ page is one of the most effective ways to keep customer service stress at bay while helping to boost sales.

In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how to brainstorm, structure, and refine your FAQ page so it actually reduces support tickets (rather than just listing random questions). By the end, you’ll know how to pick the best questions, write answers that convert skeptics into buyers, and measure whether your new FAQ is truly taking a load off your inbox.

What Is an FAQ Page?

An FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page is a dedicated section on your website that provides quick, straightforward answers to the queries your customers and prospects ask most often. Think of it as a first-stop resource for users who want instant clarity — whether it’s about shipping timelines, return policies, product features, or other details about your services.

Beyond simply rattling off answers, an FAQ page can be a powerful trust-building tool. When people see you’ve taken the time to anticipate their needs, they feel supported —and when they feel supported, they’re more likely to click “Buy Now.”

Why Do You Need an FAQ Page?

You might be thinking, “I’ve got a contact form for questions; isn’t that enough?” In reality, an FAQ page adds unique value by giving people quick answers on their own terms. Here are a few reasons why an FAQ is a must-have for any small business website.

1. To Answer Common Customer Questions

Ever notice you get the same five or six queries week after week? Maybe it’s “Do you ship internationally?” or “Can I cancel my subscription anytime?”

By creating an FAQ page, you tackle these FAQs head-on, saving your future self (and your team) from repetitive support queries.

2. To Provide 24/7 Support

Even if you’re a one-person show, your FAQ page works tirelessly around the clock. Night owls shopping at 2 a.m. don’t have to wait hours for a response. They can find answers on the spot, which keeps potential buyers from drifting to a more transparent competitor.

3. To Build Trust and Confidence in Your Brand

Customers are more likely to buy from businesses that seem transparent and organized. Having an FAQ page that addresses typical concerns — from return policies to manufacturing processes — shows you’ve got nothing to hide. It’s a subtle but powerful trust signal.

4. To Market Your Brand

Yes, FAQs can also do marketing for you. Think about it: If your brand’s biggest selling point is “We use 100% organic cotton,” your FAQ is a perfect place to highlight that fact. A little brand personality sprinkled into your Q&A section can transform a mundane FAQ into a mini sales pitch — without feeling sales-y.

The Cost of a Bad FAQ Page

A poorly executed FAQ page can be worse than none at all. If your answers are hidden, outdated, or incomplete, you risk frustrating your users and increasing the volume of “Help, I still don’t get it” emails. Worse yet, you might actually lose credibility if visitors think, “If they can’t even manage a simple FAQ, can I trust them with my money?”

Some risks of a bad FAQ page include:

• Missed sales – You may miss out on impulse buyers who just needed a nudge to finalize checkout. If they can’t quickly confirm shipping rates or product specs, they could bail, and your competitor might end up with their business.
• Overburdened support – When your FAQ page is unhelpful or disorganized, customers will still resort to emailing you directly. That adds up to more admin work, less time for product development or marketing, and potentially slower responses.
• Damaged credibility – A neglected FAQ page sends the message that you don’t care about your customers’ top concerns. Even if that’s not true, the perception alone can be enough to make users think twice about buying from you.

What Questions Belong on an FAQ Page?

The difference between an FAQ that genuinely helps users and one that’s just “meh” often lies in the relevance of the questions you include. So, how do you figure out what belongs on your page? Look for questions to include in the places below:

1. Common Customer Queries

Start by compiling questions you’ve seen in emails, social media DMs, or live chats. If multiple people have asked the same thing, it’s a prime candidate for your FAQ. This approach directly tackles real-life pain points, so it’s a great first step.

2. Google and Quora Questions

Sometimes, potential customers don’t ask you directly — they Google their questions or browse Q&A sites like Quora, Reddit, or niche forums. A quick search for your product or service can reveal issues people commonly face, which you can then address in your FAQ.

3. Competitors’ Websites

If your competitors have FAQ pages, they’re great places to look for inspiration. But don’t just blindly copy your competitor’s FAQ; use it for inspiration on what your shared audience might be curious about. Pay attention to how they group topics, which ones they prioritize, and any potential gaps you can fill to differentiate your brand.

How To Create an FAQ Page That Works in 7 Steps

Now that you know why you need an FAQ and which questions to include, let’s talk about how to build one that’s both functional and user-friendly.

Step 1: Organize Your Questions by Theme

Rather than dumping every question into a single, scrolling wall of text, break them into logical categories. Examples might include:

• Shipping and returns
• Product and usage
• Billing and payment
• Company information

This helps visitors jump straight to the info they want without sifting through irrelevant topics. If you run an e-commerce store, you could even subdivide by product lines or target certain common issues (like sizing or ingredients).

Step 2: Write Clear, Concise Answers

An FAQ page shouldn’t read like a novel. Keep it straightforward so it’s easy for customers to find the information they need (and quickly).

• Use short paragraphs or bullet points: Big text blocks can feel overwhelming.
• Be consistent with your tone: Whether you’re a lively, cheeky brand or more buttoned-up, make sure the writing style reflects your personality and stays consistent from one question to the next.
• Address the question directly: Start by restating the question briefly, and then offer the solution or explanation.

Step 3: Incorporate Visual or Video Elements (Optional, but Powerful)

Some people need to see how something works. If you often get questions like, “How do I assemble X?” or “Where do I find my account details?”, consider embedding a brief video clip or animated GIF. A picture can save a thousand words (and a bunch of support emails).

Groomer’s Choice, a company that specializes in pet grooming supplies and equipment, incorporates video into its FAQs to add an extra layer of clarity and understanding.

Step 4: Cross-Link to Deeper Resources

Your FAQ answers don’t have to be exhaustive if you link to in-depth resources. For example, if you have a blog post offering an advanced how-to for one of your popular products, mention and link to it in a relevant FAQ answer. Not only does this prevent clutter, but it also helps with internal linking for better SEO.

Step 5: Use Internal Search Functionality or Accordions

If your FAQ page is large, consider:

• Adding on-page search – A simple search bar that filters FAQ entries by keyword can be a lifesaver for visitors with highly specific queries.
• Accordion layouts – Click-to-expand answers keep the page organized while letting users see all available questions at a glance.

Step 6: Provide a Contact Option for Unanswered Questions

Even the best FAQ won’t cover every edge case. Let people know they can still reach out by email or phone if needed. A polite “Still can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact us here!” can be a final safety net that reassures users you’ve got them covered.

Step 7: Keep It Updated

Your business evolves — so should your FAQ. Set a reminder every quarter (or monthly if you’re rapidly changing) to check:

• Customer feedback – For new issues or recurring customer questions.
• Statistics or policies – For example, did your shipping times change? Adjust the FAQ accordingly.
• Product updates – If you’re launching a new feature, add relevant Qs and As.

Examples of Exceptional FAQ Pages

Seeing how other businesses nail their FAQs can spark inspiration. Here are a few standouts:

Airbnb

Airbnb organizes questions by user type (hosts vs. guests) and has a powerful search function. It also surfaces trending or seasonal queries (like COVID-19 policies) so users see the most relevant information immediately.

Segmenting by user category helps visitors navigate quickly, especially if your audience has distinct user groups.

ASOS

ASOS focuses on what shoppers need right now, such as order tracking and returns. Answers are broken down in collapsible sections with concise bullet points and direct links to relevant answers.

Prioritizing top concerns (returns, shipping, sizing) addresses buyer anxieties upfront, which can reduce cart abandonment and boost sales!

FAQ Page Checklist

Before you launch (or overhaul) your FAQ page, run through this short checklist to make sure you hit all the key points to make it successful.

• Identify core questions: Gather top queries from emails, social media, Google searches, and competitor sites.
• Group questions by category: Make it easy for users to scan topics like shipping, billing, or product usage.
• Write straightforward answers: Use bullet points, short paragraphs, and brand-consistent language.
• Add visuals or links: Consider including step-by-step images, short videos, or links to more detailed resources.
• Make it organized and/or searchable: Use accordions, search bars, or clearly labeled headings to reduce clutter.
• Provide a contact option: Offer a fallback method for edge cases or complicated questions.
• Review and update regularly: Schedule periodic check-ins to ensure the info stays accurate and relevant.

Bring Your FAQ Page to Life With DreamHost

Now that you have a blueprint for creating an FAQ page that does far more than fill space on your website, you can cut down on repetitive support requests (freeing you to focus on growing your business), build trust, and nudge visitors toward that “Buy” button.

But none of this matters unless you have somewhere reliable to put your FAQ page (and the rest of your website). DreamHost offers reliable hosting, seamless site-building tools, and other resources for business owners to build the perfect foundation for an FAQ page that shines.

Don’t let endless customer queries slow you down. Start drafting your FAQ with the steps we’ve covered, and watch your business serve customers even when you’re off the clock!

Pro Services – Web Design

DreamHost Makes Web Design Easy

Our designers can create a gorgeous website from SCRATCH to perfectly match your brand and vision — all coded with WordPress so you can manage your content going forward.

Learn More

The post How To Create an FAQ Page That Actually Reduces Customer Support Requests appeared first on DreamHost Blog.

We’re not talking about pleases and thank yous. We’re talking about micro-animations, those subtle, functional movements that make your site feel polished, intuitive, and alive.

Because even if your copy is sharp and your pages load in a flash, a site that doesn’t respond to user actions can still feel clunky and cold. Micro-animations fill in those gaps. They guide. They reassure. They create moments of delight that stick.

Think of them as the quiet MVP of user experience (UX) — small details with a big impact.

Let’s break down how these tiny visual cues punch above their weight and how you can start using them without turning your site into a theme park.

What Are Micro-Animations?

Micro-animations are small, purposeful animations — blips of motion that help your interface speak the same language as your users. They usually last less than a second, and when used right, they make everything feel smoother, smarter, and more human.

Examples include:

• That slight bounce when you click a button
• The smooth transition when you hover over a menu item
• The satisfying little wiggle when you complete a form
• That perfect little swoop when a modal window appears

Think about how less satisfying “heart-ing” something on Instagram would be without this haptic and visual feedback:

Micro-animations are especially powerful on mobile, where space is tight and every touch counts. A tiny bounce here and a smooth fade there help users get where they want to go without second-guessing.

The Psychology of Micro-Animations (+ How They Improve User Experience)

Our brains are hardwired to notice movement. It’s an evolutionary thing. Movement could mean “food” or “danger” or “potential mate.”

Micro-animations tap into this primitive part of our brains by:

• Providing feedback – A button click that responds feels like it’s doing something (because it is).
• Making things feel faster – Even a brief loading animation buys you goodwill while content catches up.
• Reducing confusion – Animations can subtly steer attention where it’s needed.
• Building trust – Visual confirmation that something worked, like a checkmark or a progress bar, goes a long way.
• Adding delight – A small, clever animation can make your site more memorable and your brand more lovable.

Micro-animations sit in that sweet spot between lifeless icons and bandwidth-hogging video. Static visuals? They’re quick but flat. Video? Flashy but heavy. Micro-animations? They’re the Goldilocks solution — just enough movement to feel alive, not enough to tank your load time.

If you’ve ever been seduced by the products on Apple’s website, micro-animations have a LOT to do with that:

This is backed by cold, hard facts: studies have found that people recognize animated elements up to 60% faster than static ones, highlighting how motion can attract attention and convey information.

The business case for these tiny delightful elements is equally compelling:

• According to 34.5% of marketers, the average time spent on their website has increased significantly.
• 27.5% of marketers say animations increase click-through rates.
• In 19% of cases, marketers believe animation increases their conversion rates significantly.

Where To Use Micro-Animations (Without Being a Bother)

1. Button Feedback

Nothing is more frustrating than clicking a button and wondering if the website registered your desperate plea for interaction. Try adding a subtle scale or color change.

2. Page Transitions

Make moving between pages feel like silk, not sandpaper. A 0.3-second fade can make your website feel premium – Luxury, but for your eyeballs.

3. Loading Indicators

If your website takes more than two seconds to load something (fix that, by the way), at least entertain me while I wait. A creative loading animation can reduce perceived wait time by up to 30%.

4. Form Validation

Instead of just telling users they screwed up with angry red text, show them with a gentle shake of the input field. It’s like saying “Try again” but with jazz hands. Or tell them they’re doing great with a bright green checkmark!

3 Delightful Real-Life Examples of Micro-Animations

Let’s get specific. Here are five micro-animations that make me want to slow-clap at my screen.

1. Apple’s Navigation Menu

Hover over Apple’s mega menu and watch how elements fade in with a slight stagger effect. It’s butter-smooth and lightning-quick. This isn’t random; the animation subtly guides your eye through the product hierarchy while making the experience feel premium.

2. Spicy Margarita’s Hero Animation

The second you land, Spicy Margarita’s bold typography animates in with just enough swagger to match the brand voice. The lime slice bounces, the salt shakes, and the whole thing screams personality. It’s slick, punchy, and perfectly timed, making a loud first impression while staying clean and controlled.

3. Fenty Beauty’s Slot Machine Animation

The Fenty homepage greets you with a playful, casino-style product reel that spins and lands with a satisfying bounce. It’s bold, punchy, and impossible to ignore — perfectly on-brand for a sale campaign. The motion adds urgency and energy without being chaotic, making the promotion feel exciting instead of intrusive.

How To Add Micro-Animations To Your Website

You don’t need a Hollywood effects budget or a developer team with Pixar résumés. Thanks to modern tools, especially low-code and no-code ones, you can add buttery-smooth motion without touching a single line of JavaScript (unless you really want to).

Step 1: Pick an Interaction

Start with something obvious: a button hover, a CTA click, or a loading spinner. You’re not reinventing the homepage but adding polish where it counts.

Step 2: Choose the Right Tool

Whether you want to drag and drop or fine-tune code by hand, there’s a tool for you.

Here’s a quick-start guide to help you find your fit.

• Experiment with CSS for simple effects: Start with hover animations to make buttons or links interactive. It’s fast, lightweight, and supported everywhere.
• Use GreenSock Animation Platform (GSAP) for advanced effects: GSAP provides versatile tools for crafting custom animations that are both efficient and high-performing, making it a popular choice for complex interactions.
• Try Lottie for scalable vector animations: Lottie enables vector-based animations that maintain quality across devices, perfect for icons and onboarding elements.

And if you want the full landscape, here’s a cheat sheet.

Step 3: Test It

Your animation might look slick on your MacBook, but how does it feel on mobile? Is it fast? Does it help, or just dance around for fun?

BTW, DreamHost offers professional web hosting services to make sure your site stays lightning-fast, even with animation layers added in. And if you need a hand when bringing your animation ideas to life, our team of talented developers can help you build it without breaking your brand or your site.

Step 4: Rinse, Refine, Repeat

Once you’ve nailed one great interaction, layer in another. Maybe a scroll-triggered content reveal. Maybe a little feedback on a form submission. Build up slowly. Not everything needs motion, but the right moments? They stick.

You’re going for elevated, not overcooked.

Best Practices for Micro-Animations

The best micro-animations are invisible in the best way. You feel them more than you notice them. And that’s the goal.

But behind that smooth little fade or bounce is some serious intention.

1. Nail the Timing

Fast animations (around 150–300ms) work best for UI feedback. Think button clicks or form validations.

Google’s Material UI guidelines state that animations between 150-400ms feel smooth to the user while those longer or shorter can feel sluggish and difficult to follow.

Either way, keep it consistent. Erratic animation speeds make your site feel chaotic.

2. Make Them Accessible To Everyone

Creating an inclusive experience is table stakes. Here’s how to keep your micro-animations friendly for all users.

• Respect “reduced motion” settings: If someone has motion sensitivity, offer a simpler experience with fades instead of motion-heavy transitions.
• Use high contrast: Make sure animated elements stand out clearly, especially for users with visual impairments.
• Don’t rely on color alone: Color-blind users can miss subtle transitions. Use shapes, labels, or patterns alongside color.
• Check your contrast ratios: Aim for at least a 4.5:1 contrast ratio for animated text and icons. Test with tools like Contrast Checker.
• Support screen readers: Use tools like Wave or Axe to confirm animations don’t trip up assistive tech.
• Add descriptive tooltips or audio cues: If something moves or changes on the screen, explain it — especially if it affects the user experience.

3. Build With Intent

Every animation should answer the question: “Why is this here?” If it doesn’t make something clearer, faster, or more delightful — cut it. A great micro-animation feels inevitable, like it was always supposed to be there.

4. Test On Different Devices

A study by Akamai analyzed over 10 billion visits to top retail sites and found that even milliseconds matter. According to the research, customers go elsewhere even if a page takes longer than three seconds, with more than half leaving if it takes more than that.

Animation that feels silky on your laptop might jitter on a mid-range Android. Test on different devices, browsers, and connection speeds to make sure the experience holds up everywhere.

This is called responsive design.

5. Provide Immediate Feedback on High-Stakes Actions

Micro-animations really earn their keep on transaction-heavy pages. Think e-commerce checkouts, booking platforms, subscription signups, donation flows, or any place where customers submit payment or personal information.

A checkmark after a form submission or a satisfying bounce when an item hits the cart tells the user, “Yep, it worked.”

That tiny flash of confirmation builds trust and prevents double-clicking, rage-refreshing, or user frustration — all of which can kill your conversions.

6. Maintain Consistency

Use a design system or animation library to standardize motion across the site. A button that slides up on one page and fades on another? That’s not personality; it’s chaos.

The Little Things Are the Big Things

Micro-animations are proof that details matter. They make your product look good and feel right. A site that responds, reassures, and delights at just the right moment? That’s not fluff – That’s great product design.

Start with a button. Add a form. Sprinkle in a scroll animation. Then, keep refining. Because once you start paying attention to the little things, your users will, too — and they’ll stick around for it.

Need help figuring out where to start? Just want a gut check on your UX? DreamHost has the hosting power and dev team to make your dreams a reality.

The post How To Use Micro-Animations To Improve Website Engagement appeared first on DreamHost Blog.

We get it.

You want the right option without wasting time or money on the wrong choice.

So here’s a simple way to think of it:

• A static website is like a printed restaurant menu – Beautifully designed. Carefully crafted. Ready to be handed over instantly.
• A dynamic website is like a restaurant menu on an iPad – Easily updated. Can remember preferences. Changes in real time.

Just like these menus, each website type serves different business needs perfectly.

The printed menu (static site) gets into customers’ hands instantly, costs less, and rarely breaks. It’s perfect when your content rarely changes.

The iPad menu (dynamic site) is easily updatable and can even adjust to each customer’s preferences. This is what you need if your content constantly changes.

Neither is “better” — they’re just different tools for different jobs.

Static vs. Dynamic at a Glance

From the outside, static and dynamic websites can be designed to look exactly the same. But they’re very different when you look behind the curtains. BuiltWith can help you see what technology runs behind the curtains for pretty much any website.

Here’s a breakdown of the key differences in plain English.

The core difference? Static sites are pre-built and ready to serve, while dynamic sites are assembled by the server in real-time when a visitor requests them.

What Are Static Websites?

A static website is pre-made, consistent, and immediately available.

The content is fixed and delivered exactly as it was created — to every visitor.

When someone visits your static site, they’re simply receiving pre-built HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files directly from the server.

Put simply, what you create is precisely what visitors see, without any on-the-fly processing or customization. Every page exists as a complete file ready to be served up instantly.

Examples of Static Websites

Visually, both static and dynamic websites can look the same. And it’s difficult to distinguish between static vs. dynamic websites just by looking at it.

Here are two examples of static websites:

• https://moderncss.dev/ is designed using a static site generator called 11ty.
• https://letsencrypt.org/ is built with plain HTML and CSS.

If you see a content management system (CMS) like WordPress, Joomla, etc, or frameworks like PHP, Flask, Django, the website has a backend system. And it’s most likely a dynamic website pulling data from this backend.

However, if you don’t see either a CMS or framework powering the website, it’s safe to assume that it’s a static website.

When To Use A Static Website

• Professional portfolios for photographers, designers, and consultants
• Small business “brochure” sites with basic company information
• Restaurant websites with fixed menus and location details
• Event landing pages for conferences or special occasions
• Documentation sites with technical information or guides

The Good Stuff (Pros)

Static websites offer some solid advantages over dynamic websites when it comes to performance and cost savings. Here are a few benefits.

1. Rock-Solid Security

With fewer moving parts, static websites present a smaller target for hackers.

They don’t have databases that can be injected with malicious code or complex server-side scripts that might contain vulnerabilities.

This doesn’t mean they’re bulletproof, but they’re naturally resistant to most common attacks like SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS).

2. Lightning-Fast Loading Speeds

Static websites shine when it comes to performance.

Since there’s no server-side processing required for each page visit, content loads remarkably fast. Studies show static websites typically load 2-3 times faster than comparable dynamic sites.

Google has considered page speed a ranking factor since 2010, and more so after introducing Core Web Vitals, giving static sites a potential SEO advantage.

3. Budget-Friendly Hosting

Static websites demand fewer server resources, translating directly to lower hosting costs.

You can often host a static site for as little as $5-$10 per month, or even for free with platforms like GitHub Pages or Netlify.

This cost advantage becomes even more significant as your traffic grows.

4. Excellent Reliability

With fewer components that might fail, static websites tend to be more reliable. They don’t depend on databases or complex server configurations to function, so there are fewer points of failure.

5. Easy CDN Integration

Static sites work beautifully with Content Delivery Networks (CDNs), which store copies of your website on servers worldwide.

This boosts loading speeds further for visitors regardless of their location and provides excellent protection against traffic spikes.

The Not-So-Good Stuff (Cons)

We wouldn’t need this blog if static websites were perfect in every way, right? Here’s what you need to keep in mind if you consider going with one.

1. Content Updates Can Be Difficult

Making changes to a static website typically requires editing HTML files directly and may require developer time. Even if you do understand code, you’d need a drag and drop static site builder to actually make updates quickly.

2. Limited Functionality

Static websites cannot easily implement features like user accounts, shopping carts, or personalized content without relying on third-party services or learning JavaScript.

3. No Built-In Content Management

Unlike dynamic sites with content management systems, static websites don’t offer user-friendly interfaces for updates. Non-technical team members might struggle to make even simple content changes.

4. Scalability Challenges for Content

While static sites handle traffic well, they can become unwieldy when managing large amounts of content. Add hundreds of product pages, and you’d be creating and maintaining individual files for each of those pages.

What Are Dynamic Websites?

A dynamic website, like that restaurant’s tablet menu, is assembled on demand as requested by the user.

When someone lands on your dynamic site, the server processes their request, pulls information from a database, and generates a customized page specifically for that moment.

This means the website can be built to change based on various factors: the time of day, who’s visiting, what they’ve done previously on your site, or what’s currently in your inventory database.

Examples of Dynamic Websites

Dynamic websites are much easier to come across since most of the popular websites have some sort of database processing to have interactions built in.

Look at pretty much any e-commerce website:

• hexclad.com
• maguireshoes.com

They’re all going to be dynamic — the products displayed on the front-end are being pulled from the database and can be changed as required.

When To Use A Dynamic Website

• E-commerce stores with product catalogs and shopping carts
• Business websites that need frequent content updates
• News sites publishing multiple articles daily
• Online booking systems for appointments or reservations
• Membership sites with user accounts and personalized dashboards
• Forums and community platforms with user-generated content

The Good Stuff (Pros)

Dynamic websites are great, especially if you want control over your website content without having to play with the code.

1. Easy Content Management

Dynamic websites typically include content management systems (CMS) (like WordPress!) that make updates simple. Non-technical team members can add, edit, or remove content through a user-friendly dashboard without touching code.

This feature is a necessity for businesses that publish regularly or need to update information frequently.

2. Powerful Functionality

There’s a lot more to dynamic websites than just updating content. You can create:

• User registration and login systems
• E-commerce with shopping carts and payment processing
• Customer accounts with order history
• Personalized content based on user behavior
• Search functionality across large content collections

3. Database Integration

For a dynamic website, the database integration makes all the magic happen on the front-end.

Because of database integration, dynamic websites can manage large amounts of structured data efficiently. This means you can have thousands of products, articles, or user profiles stored in a database instead of managing thousands of individual files.

4. Content Personalization

Dynamic websites can also be designed to personalize the user experience based on individual preferences, past behavior, location, or device type.

5. Scalable Content Structure

As your business grows, a dynamic website can easily accommodate new sections, features, or content types without requiring a complete redesign.

The Not-So-Good Stuff (Cons)

All that customizability comes at a cost…

1. Typically Slower Loading Times

The need to generate pages on demand means dynamic websites often load more slowly than their static counterparts. Each page request requires database queries and server processing before content is delivered to the visitor.

However, website caching can improve performance to a certain extent here — maybe even make the website fast enough so users don’t notice.

2. Higher Security Maintenance

Dynamic websites face more security challenges because of their complexity. Databases, server-side code, and CMS platforms all need regular updates and security patches to stay protected against developing threats.

There are ways to improve dynamic website security and make it difficult for hackers. But compared to a static website, you’ll always have more attack surfaces.

3. More Expensive To Build and Host

The technical complexity of dynamic websites usually translates to higher development costs and ongoing hosting expenses. You’ll need servers capable of handling database operations and server-side processing, unlike static file hosts, which can be extremely basic and still work well.

4. Technical Complexity

Dynamic websites involve more moving parts, including server configuration, database management, and potentially multiple programming languages. So when things go wrong, you need to figure out which of the moving parts is broken.

How To Decide: Is Static or Dynamic Right for You?

Alright, you understand static and dynamic websites much better now. But you obviously don’t want to pick the wrong option for your website.

Ask Yourself These 5 Key Questions

1. How often will your content change?

This is perhaps the most important factor in your decision.

• Monthly or less frequent updates? A static website likely meets your needs.
• Weekly or daily updates? A dynamic website with a CMS will save you time and hassle.
• Constantly changing information? Dynamic is your best choice.

2. What functionality do you need?

• Simple information sharing only? Static websites are great for this.
• User accounts or personalization? You’ll need a dynamic website.
• E-commerce capabilities? Dynamic websites handle this much better.
• Contact forms? Both can manage this (static sites with third-party services).
• Search functionality? Dynamic sites offer more robust searching.

3. Who will manage your website?

• Web developer or technically skilled team member? Either option works.
• Non-technical staff? A dynamic site with a CMS will be much easier.
• Multiple content contributors? Dynamic sites better support collaborative workflows.

4. What’s your budget?

• Limited budget for both development and ongoing costs? Static may be best.
• Willing to invest more upfront for easier management? Dynamic could save money long term.
• Growing business with increasing needs? Dynamic offers more room to expand.

5. How important is performance?

• Visitors expect websites that load immediately? Static sites could work great. But look into caching if you need the dynamic flexibility.
• Complex user journeys with multiple pages? Dynamic websites are better suited, since they can design personalized paths based on user behavior and preferences.
• Mostly mobile users with slower connection speeds? Static sites can provide a great experience.

Cost and Maintenance: What Small Business Owners Need To Know

What can you expect to pay for creating and maintaining a static vs. dynamic website?

Initial Development Costs

Once you decide between static vs. dynamic, you need to hire a web developer to create the website.

Monthly Hosting Costs

Next, you’d be hosting the website. That’s going to be an ongoing cost for keeping your website live.

Ongoing Maintenance Expenses

Both types of websites have ongoing maintenance costs, but they vary depending on what you need to change. You may even want to hand over the website maintenance to a service provider.

The Hidden Costs To Consider

Beyond the obvious expenses, you also need to consider these potential hidden costs:

No-Code and Low-Code Solutions To Build a Static or Dynamic Website

Not every business needs a website that’s coded and built from the ground up. For most small business use cases, like showing your service portfolio, allowing for meeting bookings, displaying product catalog, etc., can be easily done with the help of customizable themes and website builders.

Static Website Builders

• Liftoff AI website builder: Tell AI what website you want, and it builds the site for you
• Wix: Drag-and-drop editor with hundreds of templates
• Squarespace: Design-focused platform with beautiful templates
• Carrd: Extremely simple one-page website builder
• Adobe Portfolio: Great for creative professionals

Dynamic Website Platforms

• WordPress.com: Hosted version of the popular CMS
• Shopify: All-in-one e-commerce platform
• Webflow: Visual development platform with CMS capabilities
• Wix: Also offers dynamic features and an app marketplace

Static Site Generators (Middle Ground)

If you have some technical skills, static site generators (SSGs) can be the perfect middle ground where you have both a CMS and a static website.

• Jekyll: Popular static site generator
• Hugo: Extremely fast site generator
• Gatsby: React-based static site generator
• Eleventy: A simpler alternative to complex generators

How To Choose a No-Code Platform

Again, the tool you pick will depend on what features you need, so you need to try them out and see if they fit. These are some basic guidelines for picking a good no-code web dev platform.

• Ease of use: Is the interface intuitive, or does it have a steep learning curve?
• Templates: How well do the existing templates fit your vision?
• Customization: How much can you personalize the look and feel to match your brand?
• Growth potential: Can the platform scale with your business, or will you need to migrate to something complex later?
• Support: What help is available when you get stuck, and what resources are available to help?
• Cost: What are the monthly/annual fees? Are there transaction costs you should know?

If you don’t want to spend time, pick an option from the ones listed above, and you’ll do just fine.

When To Skip DIY and Hire a Pro

You may not always be satisfied with the default look of the template you’re using, or maybe you need integrations (like passing sales data to your accounting software or integrating with other business apps).

Here are some other reasons you might skip DIY:

• Your website is central to your business model
• You need custom functionality beyond standard templates
• Your brand requires a unique visual identity
• You’re building a complex e-commerce system
• You’re not technically inclined and don’t have the time to learn

That’s when the basic templates will not be enough and you’d need professional web developers, like us!

Make the Right Choice for Your Business

While there’s no universally “correct” choice, picking between static and dynamic websites is a rather straightforward decision.

If you want to update the website as and when required, take the dynamic route.

If you need performance and don’t care about changing much, pick static websites.

And whichever type of site you choose, the performance depends heavily on your hosting environment. So, it might be worth testing your site on powerful hosting right from the beginning.

Virtual Private Servers (VPS) give raw power and flexibility to host even the heaviest of sites without sacrificing performance. Want to give it a try? Start with a small VPS and scale it up as your website grows.

VPS Hosting

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Here’s how DreamHost’s VPS offering stands apart: 24/7 customer support, an intuitive panel, scalable RAM, unlimited bandwidth, unlimited hosting domains, and SSD storage.

Choose Your VPS Plan

The post Static vs. Dynamic: Which Website Is Right for You? appeared first on DreamHost Blog.

It’s meant to compress photos on your site, so pages don’t load at a glacial speed.

So far, you’ve kinda ignored the whole idea. Fair play — it doesn’t make a huge difference until your site is fully formed.

But now, the time has come to do something. Your arch nemesis…um, we mean…your nearest competitor is absolutely trouncing your site in the performance wars. It’s time to fight back.

Squoosh is one of the best tools at your disposal. It’s free, open source, and easy to use.

In this guide, we’re going to look at how to use Squoosh to compress images and reduce your load times. Let’s get going!

How To Optimize Images With Squoosh in 30 Seconds

Let’s get straight to business.

You can start optimizing images for your site very quickly.

Head over to https://squoosh.app.

Click on the big pink blob at the top of the page, and select the image you want to compress.

You’ll then enter a preview screen, with a settings panel in the bottom right.

Here, you can choose to resize your image, reduce the color palette, change the quality, and select your preferred output file type.

Below that, a counter tells you how much smaller your new file will be.

As you select different options, you can move the slider in the middle of your screen to see the effect on image quality. On the left is a zoomed-in view of your original image; on the right is a preview of your compressed version.

Looking good? Download your compressed image by tapping the blue blob in the bottom right. This is ready to add to your website.

Boom, done.

Pro Tip: Want to speed things up for the next image? Tap the little “cog” icon in the control panel. This will save your current settings as a preset, which you can load later by tapping the other cog icon.

Getting To Know Squoosh a Little Better

That’s the short version, but there’s a whole lot more to Squoosh.

This open-source image compression tool was actually developed by the folks at Google. It’s available both as a web app and a browser add-on for Chrome.

If you’re feeling techy, you can also download Squoosh from GitHub and run it offline via the command line.

Squoosh supports PNG, JPG, TIFF, GIF, and many more formats. Every version is free to use, and the app handles compression locally. That’s good news for privacy, because images never leave your machine.

Learning How To Use Squoosh Like a Pro

The other great thing about Squoosh is that it offers loads of control. You just need to know how to navigate the control panel.

Let’s take a quick tour.

When you first load an image into Squoosh, you’ll see just four options on the control panel:

Resize

If you’re planning to use an image for a thumbnail, you don’t need full resolution. You can flick this toggle to change the image size.

Put in the pixel count you want, but leave the default options selected unless you have a good reason. Make sure “Maintain Aspect Ratio” is selected to avoid warping!

Reduce Palette

Many images don’t actually contain that many colors. This option lets you throw away hues to reduce file size.

That “Dithering” slider? It essentially creates a noise pattern to disguise the reduced color palette.

Note: This technique is best used on designs rather than photos, since photos can end up looking like bad photocopies.

Format

Under the “Compress” label, you can select an output format for your image. The options fall into two main categories.

• Lossy (e.g., JPG, GIF): These formats discard tiny bits of your image to save space. You generally won’t notice the difference, unless you want something with really high resolution.
• Lossless (e.g., PNG, AVIF): In contrast, lossless formats find ways to reduce file size without affecting the quality of your image.

As a general rule, lossy is fine for simple graphics, while lossless is better for crisp icons and detailed photos.

Quality

If you choose a lossy format, you’ll also see this slider. It runs from 0 (squashing your image flat) to 100 (no change).

Before saving your image, we would recommend moving this slider and seeing the effect in the preview area. To get a nice, small file, move the slider as far left as you can without creating ugly artefacts.

If you’re converting to WebP, you’ll also see an “Effort” slider. This controls how thoroughly Squoosh will analyze your image before deciding how to apply compression. Choose a higher number if you have details you want to keep.

Advanced Settings

Depending on the output format you select, you may have access to more options under the “Advanced settings” tab.

Unless you have a Ph.D. in image editing, these settings are best avoided.

Quick Tips for Squeezing More Out of Squoosh

Overall, Squoosh is super easy to use. And honestly, the section above contains everything you really have to know about the app.

But we see you, reader. You want to become a god of image compression, don’t you?

Well, here are some pro tips that will help you reach that immortal status.

• Drag and drop: Don’t bother with the file menu. Just drag your image right into Squoosh.
• Know your formats: Use WebP for modern browsers, MozJPEG for photos, and OptiPNG for graphics. Remember, AVIF is the new kid on the block; check which browsers can handle it.
• Size matters: Compress for quality, not just file size. If your image goes from looking like a masterpiece to a kindergarten art project, take a step back and adjust those settings.
• Effort counts: Crank up that effort slider for PNGs and WebP to squeeze every last bit out of the file size without dramatically impacting quality. 
• “Reduce Palette” is your friend: How many different colors does your image contain? If it’s pretty simple, you can save a lot of space by moving the “Reduce Palette” slider to the left.

Remember, every MB saved means less waiting time for your users!

How To Manage Website Images for Better Performance

While Squoosh can shrink your images to a more manageable size, it’s not a catch-all fix.

Follow these guidelines to make sure your compressed images deliver the performance boost you’re hoping for!

• Use a CDN: Content delivery networks (CDNs) are optimized for media, and they take pressure off your host’s servers.
• Think carefully about file types: It’s easy to make all images the same. But your choice of file should match the requirements of each image on your site.
• Remove unneeded metadata: Does your image need to be lugging around location and camera information? Probably not.
• Try using sprites: Instead of using one big image with a repeating pattern, you may be able to use a tiny sprite multiple times instead. That could really speed things up!

If you’re curious about all the ways you can implement image optimization, our blog is absolutely stacked with helpful tutorials. Here are some of the highlights:

• So Long, JPG: Here’s How To Optimize Images for the Modern Web (WebP, SVG, and More)
• How To Fix 16 Common Image Issues in WordPress
• Common WordPress Image Upload Issues And How To Fix Them (5 Methods)

Squoosh Alternatives: The Best Image Compression Tools

Squoosh is a great starting point for compressing and optimizing images for your website. However, there are other options out there:

• TinyPNG: This web app instantly compresses images while retaining impressive quality. It’s free for batch uploads of 20 images or fewer; you can unlock more for $39 per month.
• ShortPixel: If you own a WordPress website, this plugin lets you compress images right from your admin area. It’s free for up to 100 images a month. 
• ImageOptim: One for the Mac owners. This open-source app lets you compress batches of images on your computer. And it’s totally free!
• Kraken.io: This powerful image compression tool works quite like Squoosh, albeit without the nice preview display. Oh, and it’s only free for files up to 1MB in size.
• JPEGmini: Work with a lot of high-quality photos? With a quick drag and drop, this desktop app lets you reduce the file size of JPGs by up to 80%.

Make Your Site Run More Smoothly Today

Optimizing images is a chore. But it’s worth the effort when your pages load at lightning speed. Plus, it’s not too much effort when you have a tool like Squoosh.

Of course, images aren’t the only cause of slow page loading. Your hosting plan could be to blame.

Want something that offers more reliable performance? At DreamHost, all our plans come with 100% guaranteed uptime and unlimited bandwidth. That means your site will never wobble under pressure.

Want to give it a go? Sign up today to feel the difference!

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The post How To Optimize Images for the Web Using Squoosh.app appeared first on DreamHost Blog.

You show up on a page and hope the content will perfectly match your expectations.

In many cases, the magic isn’t quite there, but just occasionally, you find the one — the only article you’ll ever need on cooking with chorizo (everyone loves a good sausage).

Wait, there’s a problem. The link to the best chorizo supplier in the world is broken! If this were an actual date, you would’ve been ghosted.

That’s exactly how visitors to your website feel when they come across broken links. It’s a painful experience that only time (and website maintenance) can heal.

If you want to prevent this kind of heartbreak and make every customer fall in love with your brand, this is your super simple guide to finding and fixing broken links.

Why Broken Links Are Bad News for Business

When your site contains broken links, visitors will come across 404 errors when they try to navigate.

This might sound like a relatively minor issue in the grand scheme of your website, but some major consequences can really harm your business.

Broken Links Create a Bad User Experience

When someone clicks a link, it’s because they really want to visit a certain page.

If access is denied because a link is broken, your visitors can quickly become frustrated. It can be enough to make them bounce (leave your site) and never return.

Broken Links Can Damage Your Brand Reputation

If you visited a brick-and-mortar store and found spiders’ webs in the corners, you’d probably think twice about sticking around.

Broken links create exactly the same off vibe on your website. It feels like the place has been neglected and allowed to fall into ruin.

Broken Links Could Prevent Conversions

Some links on your website are really important — stuff like your CTAs (calls to action) and menu items. If these elements break, customers who are ready to convert could be unable to follow through.

The likely result is a big negative impact on your total number of sales or sign-ups.

Broken Links Harm Your SEO Efforts

If you’re trying to climb the search rankings, you can’t afford to carry too many dead links.

There’s a list of reasons why:

• When visitors bounce because of a bad user experience, search engines take note.
• Broken links also distract search engine crawler bots from the task of mapping your site.
• Search engines will mark down your domain authority if they see enough broken links.
• They’ll also assume your site is a deserted wasteland that’s not worth visiting.

In other words — no bueno.

So, What Causes Broken Links?

A link is broken — or “dead” — when it points to a page that doesn’t exist. This problem occurs for a variety of reasons:

• Typographical errors: When you created the URL, it’s possible you made a whoopsie. Common errors include missing the “https://” or adding extra spaces. 
• URL updates: You got the URL right at the time but the page has moved to a new home. This can cause problems if there are no proper URL redirects in place.
• Lost pages: When content is deleted or moved, you can end up seeing a 404 page.
• Malfunctioning plugins: Misbehaving add-ons can set up HTML or JavaScript errors, which may break certain elements — like your links.
• Changes in URL structures: While the specific page URL might remain the same, changes to the overall structure of site URLs can still break things (e.g. “example.com/product-name” changing to “example.com/products/category/product-name”).

So many things could cause broken links, no wonder you have some!

5 Ways To Track Down and Fix Broken Links

You’re here ’cause you found some broken links on your site, right?

While you could just fix those specific instances, we recommend checking your entire site for problem links. That way, none will slip through the net.

Here are the best ways to find broken links, starting with the easiest option known to humankind…

1. Use a Broken Link Checker Tool

Well…this one is kinda obvious.

Specialized tools like the W3C Link Checker and Ahrefs’ Broken Link Checker are free and effective. Simply type in your website URL and wait a few minutes while the tool performs a link check.

You should then get a complete list of links that need updating. But…here’s the bad news: you now need to update these manually — one by one.

That means fixing typos, moving to the new URL for a particular page, or removing the link completely.

2. Install a Broken Link Checker WordPress Plugin

If your site runs on the world’s favorite CMS, you’re in luck. There are loads of great plugins that can find broken links on your site, and help you fix them.

The accurately named Broken Link Checker is the standout option here. It allows you to scan your entire site with a click, and then edit the individual URLs from the results page.

Here’s how to set it up:

Head to Plugins > Install New Plugin in your WordPress admin area.

Search for “Broken Link Checker.” It’s the one that looks like this:

Hit Install Now. Once that process is complete, click Activate.

Next, find the new “Link Checker” option in the WordPress sidebar. Click it, and you’ll be presented with two options:

• Cloud (new): This uses remote servers to handle link checking, taking the pressure off your host, which can be good on larger sites. It’s also more comprehensive. The downside is that you’ll need to create a free account.
• Local (old): This starts a search locally. This works fine for most SMB websites, but it relies on your host’s servers.

The plugin will run a scan on your site and reveal how many broken links you have. If you choose the “Cloud” option, you will need to click VIEW FULL REPORT to see them.

On the results page, tap Edit Link next to each broken link to make your fix.

If you’re using WordPress, a plugin’s the quickest way to patch up those broken links.

3. Check Google Search Console’s Crawl Errors Report

Given the SEO impacts of broken links, it’s a good idea to get Google’s view on your website. You can do this by visiting Google Search Console (GSC).

While GSC will provide similar results to the tools mentioned above, it can reveal additional insights about broken links and help you figure out which links to fix first.

Here’s the workflow:

Visit GSC and click on Settings in the sidebar.

Next, scroll down until you see “Crawl stats.” Hit the OPEN REPORT button here.

Ooh, lots of nice data – but we just need the “By response” box.

Start by tapping on Not found (404) from the list. Google should provide a complete list of links that produce a 404 error page. You’ll need to fix these on your website.

Now, return to the previous screen and select Moved permanently (301). These broken links point to pages that have moved to new pastures. You need to fix these as well (more on this in the next section).

One advantage of using GSC is that you can easily see recurring problems over time, such as redirects…

4. Implement 301 Redirects

Whenever you make a significant change to your website, such as migrating to a new host or changing the domain name, the URL for each page is likely to change.

If you don’t rectify the problem, links to your content will break, and users will encounter a 404 error.

The solution is to use 301 redirects. These instructions help web browsers to find the new location for existing content. It’s like hanging a “We’ve moved!” sign on your shop window.

There are two ways to set up 301 redirects:

• Using a plugin (easy)
• By editing your .htaccess file (a bit more technical)

If your site runs on WordPress, we recommend using a plugin like Safe Redirect Manager. Here’s how to get started:

In your WordPress admin area, hit Plugins > Add New Plugin.

Search for “Safe Redirect Manager.” This is the one you want:

Select Install Now, and then Activate when it appears.

Make your way to Tools > Safe Redirect Manager.

Here, you can start setting up redirects for the URLs that have moved. Just hit Create Redirect Rule.

Enter the original URL path in the “Redirect From” field and the destination URL in the “Redirect To” field. Then, select your preferred HTTP status code (302 is temporary, 301 is permanent) and click the “Publish” button to activate your redirect.

If you want to take a deeper dive (and see some alternative routes), check out our dedicated guide to creating 301 Redirects in WordPress. The post also contains detailed instructions on editing your .htaccess file.

5. Check Your Links Manually

Well, what if you own a teeny tiny business website and you don’t need the hassle? Luckily, you can check your links manually in five easy steps:

1. List your pages: Write down or open a document listing all the pages on your website.
2. Click through every link: Start with the homepage and click every link, including navigation, footer, and in-text links. Open each link in a new tab to see if it loads properly. Repeat for every page of your site.
3. Check for errors: If a page doesn’t load, note the error (e.g., “404 Not Found” or “This site can’t be reached”). If the link goes to another site, make sure the page is still active and relevant.
4. Record issues: Keep a simple spreadsheet (or a notes app) where you list broken links and where they appear on your site.
5. Fix or remove: If the broken link is internal, check if the page has moved and update the link. If it’s an external link, find a new relevant source or remove the broken one.

This should only take you a couple of hours if you run a small website. Just don’t get distracted; it’s way too easy to start fixing links on the fly, and forget to check the other parts of your site!

Internal vs. External Broken Links

The best fix for each broken link depends on whether it’s internal (pointing to your own content) or external (pointing to another site).

As a general rule:

• Internal links: Update the broken link with the new URL, unless you deleted the original content.
• External links: Find another resource that performs the same role as the lost page, or delete the link completely.

Fixing the Ongoing Problem of Broken Links

Of course, finding and fixing all the broken links on your site isn’t a one-time job. As time passes, links will continue to break. So, how do you keep up?

That’s where dedicated tools really make the difference. Most allow you to schedule regular broken link checks. Some can even alert you when they find a new issue.

This feature is often a premium option. It might not be worth paying for if your site is pretty small. But if you have loads of pages, we recommend setting up periodic checks.

Marketing Hack: Fix Broken Links on Other Websites

Broken links don’t only affect your site. Every website has them.

If you find broken links on other sites, you have the chance to make some moves in SEO.

Broken link building is a marketing hack used by many SEO professionals. It works like this:

1. Use link-checking tools to find broken links on notable websites.
2. Get in touch with the site owner and suggest your content as the perfect replacement for a specific broken link.
3. They add a link to your site, boosting your domain authority.

Boom, instant high-quality backlinks!

Well, it’s not instant. You might have to email a lot of site owners before you get a response. But the rewards can be worth the effort.

More Resources on Essential Website Maintenance

Want to keep on top of other website maintenance tasks? Here are some of our most popular guides:

• How To Grow Your Website Traffic (40 Proven Ideas)
• Your Website Redesign Checklist for an Incredible Revamp
• How To Perform A Content Audit On Your Website
• From Clicks to Customers: 23 Techniques & Tools To Improve Website Conversion Rates
• Your SEO Strategy Game Plan for 2025

Fix Your Business Website Today

We did it. Your customers no longer feel ghosted; they can see you care about making this work.

Just as importantly, fixing your links is going to push your site up the search rankings and help you close more sales. If that wasn’t reason enough to check for broken links, we give up.
¯_(ツ)_/¯

Remember, your options are to:

• Use a dedicated dead link checker.
• Grab a WordPress plugin for checking links.
• Visit your Google Search Console dashboard.
• Set up 301 redirects.
• Manually check and fix your links.

While you’re thinking about improving your website, why not upgrade your hosting? Our plans offer unlimited bandwidth and 100% guaranteed uptime, so you’ll never leave your customers high and dry.

Sign up today to feel the difference!

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The post 5 Easy Ways To Identify & Fix Broken Links on Your Small Business Website appeared first on DreamHost Blog.

This burger place is an example of how not to create a mega menu. If you make your website visitors wade through a jungle of disorganized categories, subcategories, and sub-subcategories, they’ll likely head for the exit.

When done correctly, however, a mega menu can help guide users straight toward what they’re looking for. It can be the difference between rummaging through a cluttered closet and stepping into a well-organized walk-in wardrobe — everything’s where you expect it to be, labeled and within arm’s reach.

In this article, we’re going to show you how to create the good kind of mega menu (no Comic Sans or 19-page overload). We’ll dive into practical tips, real-world examples, and best design practices to help you build a mega menu your visitors and search engines will love. If you’re ready to delight your users, boost your site’s discoverability, and maybe even give your competitors a little menu envy, keep reading.

What Is a Mega Menu?

A mega menu is a type of navigation menu that expands to show multiple columns and subcategories under broader headings. Instead of a simple dropdown listing a few links, a mega menu can lay out dozens of links, grouped by category and often enhanced with visuals like icons or product images.

Mega menus are good for user experience (UX) because they make it easier for visitors to see a clear overview of what your site offers, especially if you have a lot of product categories or blog topics. Having well-labeled and visually organized links means your site visitors can quickly locate the information or product they’re after, instead of rummaging through multiple clicks.

From an SEO perspective, mega menus can highlight your most important categories and pages, making it easier for search engines to understand your site structure. Internal links help to spread authority (sometimes called “link juice“) across key pages, which can boost their visibility in search results.

For small business owners especially, a mega menu can eliminate the clutter of an overgrown website and guide visitors toward the pages that matter most — from flagship products to blog content. That means fewer frustrated visitors and more conversions.

Benefits of Mega Menus

Before diving into design tips, it’s worth considering why you’d use a mega menu over a simpler dropdown. Here are a few of the major perks you should consider:

1. Quicker access to important content: With columns and subheadings, visitors can instantly jump to different sections of your site. No more endless clicking through multiple nested layers.
2. Reduced bounce rates: When users find what they need quickly, they’re more likely to stick around. A well-structured menu can encourage them to explore even further.
3. SEO advantages: Each link in your mega menu counts as an internal link to that page. The more relevant internal links you create, the better search engines understand your content hierarchy, which has positive effects on your SEO efforts.
4. Easier scalability: As your site grows — maybe you add new product lines or service categories — a mega menu can easily expand without breaking your design or user experience.

Together, these benefits can significantly improve how people (and search engines) engage with your content. For anyone running a business website, having more streamlined access to your products or articles via a mega menu can help drive both sales and brand loyalty.

When Should You Use a Mega Menu?

Not every site needs a mega menu. For example, a freelance writer with a simple three-page site (“Home,” “About,” “Contact”) probably won’t benefit from adding one. But if your navigation is looking like a labyrinth, a mega menu might be your (and your visitors’) saving grace.

Ask yourself these questions. If you answer “yes” to any of them, a mega menu might be the right choice for you:

1. Do you have a large product catalog? Mega menus can be a good fit for e-commerce sites with varied product lines (for example, apparel, accessories, and subcategories for both).
2. Does your site have multiple departments or sub-brands? If you manage separate business divisions and want to unify them under one domain, a mega menu can help you do so without overwhelming users.
3. Do you have a blog that has complex categories? Sites covering various topics often need a central way to direct readers to specific sections — and a mega menu can accomplish exactly that.
4. Do you often need to highlight promotions or seasonal offerings? Mega menus can spotlight limited-time sales or featured categories right in the navigation.

From a technical standpoint, you’ll want to make sure your theme or platform supports mega menus. WordPress, for example, offers several plugins (like Crocoblock or Spectra) that let you create fully customizable mega menus without coding. If you run a custom site, you might need a developer to help with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to get the layout looking just right.

9 Mega Menu Design Best Practices

Ready to create a mega menu that does more than just look fancy? These nine tips will set you up for success.

1. Keep It Simple and Intuitive

Overloading your mega menu with tons of links might seem helpful, but it can overwhelm visitors. Instead, group items thoughtfully and use headings to segment your content. That way, visitors can scan and find what they want quickly.

Segment does this well by grouping its products intuitively under clear headings to make them scannable and easy to navigate.

Pro Tip: Start by mapping out your site’s categories and subcategories on paper or a digital sketchpad. A rough “mind map” can help you see the bigger picture before you start designing.

2. Be Consistent in Your Design

Your mega menu should feel like a natural extension of your website’s theme. Match the color scheme, fonts, and general styling. This not only looks polished but also helps visitors feel they’re still on the same site.

Qualtrics is a good example of this. Notice how its mega menu fits the rest of the site with a similar color scheme and matching iconography.

Why this matters: A jarring transition from your homepage to a mismatched menu design can cause confusion that breaks user trust.

3. Limit the Number of Levels

Depth is fine, but burying your content four submenus deep? Not so much. The further people have to drill down, the more likely they are to bounce. Aim for a structure where users can locate their desired page within two or three clicks.

Asana does this well with a mega menu that goes deeper than a simple dropdown, but still keeps things simple, clean, and navigable.

Pro Tip: Check for over-nesting. If you can’t see all your subcategories at a glance, you might need to consolidate or rename some sections.

4. Use Clear, Descriptive Labels

Avoid vague labels like “Misc.” or “Stuff.” Use terms your audience actually searches for (great for SEO, too!). A descriptive label like “Winter Jackets & Coats” is more helpful than just “Outerwear.”

Take a look at how Adobe does this, slotting the search term, “What is Creative Cloud?” into their mega menu:

Pro Tip: Integrate keywords if they make sense. Don’t force it, but if people often Google “Kids’ Winter Coats,” try to make that a label.

5. Optimize for Accessibility

An accessible mega menu isn’t just good practice; it can also expand your potential audience. Make sure keyboard navigation works properly, add accessible rich internet applications (ARIA) labels for screen readers, and build in adequate color contrast for users with visual impairments.

Jasper’s simple mega menu is also accessible —its color scheme uses the correct contrast and the entire menu can be navigated by keyboard:

Pro Tip: Test your menu’s accessibility yourself. Try navigating your site using only the Tab key. If you can’t reach certain menu items easily, it’s time to fix your keyboard accessibility.

6. Make It Responsive and Mobile-Friendly

Your mega menu should adapt seamlessly to different screen sizes. On mobile, you might condense columns or switch to an accordion-style dropdown. However you handle it, make sure it’s easy to tap and scroll.

Note how Asana’s mega menu from desktop translates to the mobile version of their site. It still includes the same headers, but in a format that’s easy to scan and navigate on a smaller screen, so the UX translates easily.

Pro Tip: Design your mobile menu for thumbs. Buttons and links need enough padding, so visitors don’t accidentally tap the wrong link on a smartphone.

7. Include Visual Cues

Icons and small images can speed up recognition, especially if they align with your brand. For instance, use a camera icon for a “Photography” category or a small t-shirt graphic for “Apparel.”

Shortcut offers a good example of this. See how they use icons to illustrate each key feature in their mega menu? It adds visual interest and makes the menu easier for visitors to scan, which improves the overall UX.

Pro Tip: Use a visual hierarchy. Place the most important subcategories or promotions at the top or with a subtle color highlight.

8. Prioritize Your Most Important Content

If there are pages you really want to drive traffic to (like new arrivals, top sellers, or a seasonal sale), give them prime real estate in your mega menu. It’s a great way to guide users toward valuable or timely content.

Take a look at how Transchem Group does this to highlight featured brands in their mega menu.

Pro Tip: Don’t overdo it. Prioritizing everything means prioritizing nothing. Instead, spotlight one or two special features.

9. Update and Review Regularly

Your website isn’t static, so your mega menu shouldn’t be either. Remove outdated links, add new categories as your business evolves, and keep an eye on any structural issues that might emerge.

Pro Tip: Put a quarterly or biannual “menu check” on your calendar to make sure everything’s still relevant and functioning properly.

Mega Menu Implementation Checklist

After you’ve planned out your mega menu structure, it’s time to bring that vision to life. Use this checklist as a roadmap to make sure no crucial step gets overlooked.

Step 1: Map Your Site Structure

A clear understanding of your website’s hierarchy lays the foundation for an effective mega menu. Mapping your site structure means identifying your main categories, their subcategories, and any top-priority links you want to feature.

What to do:

• Brainstorm or audit existing pages
• Group related content
• Create a visual outline

Step 2: Choose a Plugin or Custom Solution

Your method of implementation affects not just the look of your mega menu, but also its performance, customization options, and ease of maintenance.

What to do:

• Decide how you’ll implement your mega menu (ex. WordPress plugin or theme, native menu builder, custom code, etc.)

Step 3: Make Your Menu Accessible

An accessible mega menu means all visitors — including those with disabilities — can navigate your site efficiently. Plus, many accessibility practices align with SEO best practices, making your site more discoverable.

What to do:

• Use guidelines like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to audit your menu
• Add descriptive ARIA attributes
• Use large enough text to read comfortably
• Use contrasting background and font colors
• Test your mega menu by using only the Tab key to navigate

Step 4: Optimize Performance

A mega menu that looks stunning but takes too long to load could drive visitors away before they even see it. Also, page speed is a search engine ranking factor, so performance directly affects your SEO efforts.

What to do:

• Minimize images using tools like TinyPNG or ShortPixel
• Use efficient code; avoid unnecessary scripts or frameworks
• Load scripts conditionally
• Run speed tests with Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix after implementing your mega menu

Mega Menu Pitfalls To Avoid

Even the most careful planning can go awry if you stumble into these common navigation missteps. Here’s what can derail an otherwise great mega menu:

1. Overcrowding

Some site owners try to squeeze in every link they have, hoping to give visitors “more choices.” But when everything is in one place, people can get overwhelmed.

Here’s how to avoid it:

• Limit subcategories: If you find over 10 links per category, consider whether you can simplify or combine categories.
• Use clear headings: Rather than listing 20 links under “Blog,” group them by topic (for example, “Tutorials,” “Industry News,” “Case Studies”) for easier navigation.

2. Poor Labeling

Lack of clarity or heavy use of internal jargon can confuse users who aren’t familiar with your terms.

Avoid it by:

• Speaking your visitors’ language: If visitors commonly search for “handbags,” don’t label that category as “carryalls” (unless you can back it up with powerful brand messaging).
• Using descriptive, SEO-friendly labels: Think about commonly searched phrases that match your content or products.

3. Ignoring Mobile Users

Some site owners focus on desktop design and forget that mobile users often have limited screen real estate and rely on touch interactions.

Avoid this pitfall by:

• Considering responsive or adaptive design: Test your mega menu on multiple phone sizes.
• Condensing columns wisely: If you have a four-column layout on desktop, maybe reduce it to two columns or an accordion layout on mobile.

4. Performance Issues

Visual flair or large images can slow your site down, leading to impatience (and high bounce rates).

Here’s how to mitigate performance problems:

• Compress media: Use smaller images or placeholders in your menu.
• Use lazy load features: If you’re displaying product images in the menu, consider loading them only when the user hovers or clicks.

5. Neglecting Accessibility

Site owners sometimes build menus without screen readers or keyboard navigation in mind, focusing only on how the menu looks. This can cause navigation and readability issues for site visitors with disabilities.

Here’s how to avoid this pitfall:

• Plan for accessibility from the start: Incorporate ARIA roles, test tab navigation early, and use robust color contrast in your menu design.
• Periodically audit your menu: Best practices for web accessibility sometimes change, so keep up to date with guidelines like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and check your menu against them periodically.

How To Know Your Mega Menu Is Working

Once your mega menu is live, how do you confirm it’s improving user experience and SEO? The best way is to keep tabs on a few key metrics and analyze user behavior.

Metrics To Track

• Bounce rate: If users can quickly find relevant pages, they’re less likely to leave immediately. A decrease in bounce rate is a good sign.
• Pages per session: More page visits suggest the menu is guiding users deeper into your site.
• Click-through rates (CTR): Track which menu items get the most clicks. If crucial links are underperforming, revisit your labeling or positioning.
• Time on site (or average session duration): If visitors spend more time browsing after implementing your mega menu, you’ve likely improved your navigation.

Tools To Use

• Google Analytics: A staple for monitoring traffic patterns, setting up goals, and tracking events (like menu clicks).
• Heatmap tools: Show you visually how visitors move their mouse and where they click.
• A/B testing platforms: Help you experiment with different menu layouts, color schemes, and labels to see which configuration resonates best.

Analyze and iterate

Data alone doesn’t fix problems — you need to interpret it.

Look for patterns such as:

• Frequently clicked links: These show potential areas to expand or highlight even further.
• Ignored links or sections: This might mean the items are mislabeled, uninteresting, or tucked away where nobody sees them.
• Differences between the mobile and desktop versions of your menu: If some menu items are popular on desktop but ignored on mobile, consider if your mobile layout needs adjustments.

Continuous improvement is the name of the game. Use insights from your analytics to make incremental changes, test again, and refine.

Perfect Your Mega Menu With DreamHost

A well-structured mega menu can transform the way visitors experience your site. Instead of fumbling through hidden links or dense drop-downs, they enjoy a user-friendly layout that surfaces exactly what they’re looking for. Better UX means happier visitors — and happier visitors often translate to more sales, sign-ups, or page views.

At DreamHost, we understand that website optimization isn’t just about speed and uptime — it’s also about how well you organize and present your content. Whether you’re running a small e-commerce shop or a content-rich blog, a killer mega menu can help you reach your goals faster.

So what’s next? Based on what you’ve learned in this article, here are the next steps you can take:

1. Plan your mega menu structure: Use the steps above to map out categories and subcategories in a way that makes sense for your audience.
2. Pick a platform or plugin to use to build your own mega menu: Choose a solution that’s accessible, easy to maintain, and fits your site’s style.
3. Implement and test your own mega menu: Go live, then gather data on user behavior.
4. Refine your mega menu: Tweak labels, layout, or visuals based on the metrics you collect.

And if you need assistance with hosting, website-building tools, or general optimization tips, DreamHost is here to help. We offer everything from fully managed WordPress solutions to expert guidance on performance and design best practices. We can help you build a fast, reliable WordPress site that delivers a standout user experience — mega menu(s) included.

Ready to dive in? Check out DreamHost’s hosting solutions today, and get your mega menu up and running knowing you have a reliable partner every step of the way.

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The post Enhance User Experience and SEO With a Killer Mega Menu (9 Design Tips) appeared first on DreamHost Blog.

Then why would you ever serve your products and services on a generic WordPress template?

Your business and your customers deserve better than that.

Now, WordPress does offer tons of pre-made themes, but these themes force you to fit your unique ideas into a design or layout that wasn’t really made for you.

And many businesses realize the limitations much later down the road.

So, here’s the big question: Does a pre-made theme cut it for your business, or are you just settling for something that’s “good enough”?

This article will help you figure out if you need a custom WordPress theme. And if you do, we’ll show you how to determine what you need and how to find the right developer to help bring your ideas to life.

Let’s get started!

Why Your Small Business Needs a Custom WordPress Theme

That paper plate looked fine for a quick bite, right? But it wouldn’t represent the care and quality of a chef’s creation.

Similarly, while pre-made WordPress themes are a great starting point for your website, staying with a basic template as your business grows can be like sticking with those paper plates for a fine-dining experience.

Initially, a template might seem sufficient, like this bakery website template below:

It ticks the boxes visually.

If you only swap out the text and images, your website will just look like all the other bakery websites that use the same template.

The core issue isn’t just looks either; it’s about functionality. Your website needs to adapt to your business’s increasing complexity and unique offerings.

If you find yourself constantly adding a dozen or more plugins just for standard functionality, you’re basically duct-taping features onto a foundation that probably wasn’t built for them.

Think of companies pushing boundaries online, like 795 Bladers Look Cycles with their interactive 3D models.

This level of engagement and brand-specific experience simply isn’t achievable with pre-built templates.

A custom WordPress theme provides you with:

• Design that perfectly reflects your brand identity
• Faster load times by removing unnecessary features
• Code optimized specifically for your business needs
• Built-in functionality that can be tailored to match your workflow
• Better security with cleaner, more focused code

Key Questions You Should Ask Yourself (and a Prospective Developer)

Going the custom route adds time and expenses. So, before interviewing potential WordPress developers, take some time for introspection.

7 Questions To Ask Yourself First

1. What are the absolute MUST-HAVE features and functionalities for my website?

Possible answers and considerations: E-commerce integration, custom booking system, specific data display, advanced search filters, membership portal.

Be specific, don’t just say “a blog.”

2. What is my overall budget range for this project?

Possible answers and considerations: A rough estimate is fine, but having a realistic range will help you narrow your search and have honest conversations with developers.

3. What is the desired timeline for completion?

Possible answer and considerations: Are you flexible, or is there a hard deadline? Understanding your timeline will help you assess developer availability and project feasibility.

4. What is the primary goal of this website redesign/custom build?

Possible answers and considerations: Increase leads, drive sales, improve brand perception, provide better customer service, or showcase a specific product or service.

Knowing your goal helps developers align their strategy.

5. What websites do I admire, both in terms of aesthetics and functionality?

Possible answer and considerations: You should have some specific examples of websites you enjoy.

This gives developers a visual and functional benchmark to understand your preferences.

6. What are my non-negotiables in terms of design and user experience?

Possible answers and considerations: Accessibility compliance, specific branding guidelines, certain design elements, user-friendly navigation, etc.

Identify your critical requirements upfront.

7. What level of ongoing support and maintenance will I need after the website is launched?

Possible answers and considerations: Will you need regular updates, security patches, and content changes? This will influence the type of developer you need and the ongoing costs.

Once you have a clearer picture of your own needs and expectations, you need to start asking some clarifying questions to the potential candidates.

7 Questions You Need To Ask Before Hiring a Website Developer

1. Can you show me examples of custom WordPress themes you’ve developed, particularly in my industry or with similar functionality?

Look for a strong portfolio with relevant examples. Don’t just look at pretty designs. You also want the designs to be functional and offer a great user experience. If the design confuses you, it probably isn’t a great design for you.

2. Can you walk me through your development process, from initial consultation to launch and beyond?

You want to see a clear, structured process with defined milestones, communication points, and testing phases.

3. How do you approach understanding a client’s business and translating their needs into a functional website?

Listen for genuine interest in your business and industry, insightful questions, and a focus on understanding your goals and target audience.

4. What are your preferred methods of communication, and what is your typical response time?

Make sure their communication style and timelines work for you. Some people may prefer to stick to emails, while others are fine getting onboarded onto your Slack channels. You need someone who matches and can keep up with your preferences.

5. Can you provide a detailed breakdown of the costs involved in this project, and what factors might cause those costs to fluctuate?

A clear and transparent quote is important. Get all the information you need to know what’s included in the price, the costs for revisions and updates, maintenance costs, etc.

6. What are your strategies for making sure the website is secure, optimized for search engines (SEO), and performs well (fast loading times)?

You want to try and find a developer who understands security, performance, and SEO best practices. It becomes much easier to convey requirements from the marketing team and get them executed correctly.

7. What kind of ongoing support and maintenance do you offer after the website is launched, and what are the associated costs?

Most developers would be happy to provide ongoing support and maintenance as retainers. Add these costs to your contract so you aren’t struggling to fix things when the website breaks (and websites do tend to break shockingly easily).

Okay, you’ve done the groundwork — you know what you need and you’ve got a solid list of questions to ask potential developers.

Now comes the big question: where do you find these talented website developers? Lucky for you, the internet is packed with platforms connecting businesses like yours with skilled WordPress developers. Think of it as your digital marketplace for talent.

Where To Find Your WordPress Developers: Top 6 Platforms To Try

Finding the right developer can feel overwhelming, but these platforms make the process much easier.

Each of them has their own strengths, so it’s worth checking out a few to see what feels like the best fit for you and your project.

Here are some of the top spots to kick off your search:

1. Codeable

Codeable is specifically for WordPress developers, which is a big plus because everyone there is primed on the WordPress ecosystem. Codeable pre-screens its developers, offering you extra peace of mind.

You’ll likely find higher rates here compared to general marketplaces, but you’re also potentially getting access to more specialized expertise.

2. Fiverr

Originally known for smaller, “gig-based” tasks, Fiverr has evolved and now hosts developers offering more complex services too.

It’s worth a look, especially if you have a slightly smaller project or are looking for a more budget-friendly option. Similar to Upwork, you should rely heavily on reviews and careful screening.

3. Upwork

Upwork has a massive freelance marketplace with a huge pool of developers from all over the world. The sheer volume can be a bit overwhelming, but it also means you have a good chance of finding someone who matches your specific needs and budget.

You can browse profiles, check out past work and reviews, and even post your job and have developers come to you. Just be prepared to do some thorough vetting — with so many options, quality can vary.

4. Toptal

If you’re looking for the “cream of the crop” and have the budget to match, Toptal is worth considering.

They have a very rigorous screening process, claiming to accept only the top 3% of freelance talent. This means you’re likely to find highly skilled and experienced developers, but expect premium pricing.

5. LinkedIn

Don’t underestimate the power of LinkedIn! It’s not just for finding full-time employees. Many freelance developers have profiles there too, showcasing their skills and experience.

You can search for developers with specific WordPress expertise and reach out to them directly. Looking at recommendations and past work history can be incredibly insightful.

6. Your Own Network

Sometimes the best people are the ones you already know. Or maybe you connected with someone at a WordPress meetup or a DreamHost event.

Ask for referrals from this existing network — other business owners, colleagues, or even friends in the tech industry might have recommendations for talented WordPress developers.

A few quick tips for using these platforms:

• Be incredibly clear about your project scope: The more details you provide, the better developers can understand your needs and give you accurate quotes.
• Don’t just focus on price:  While budget is important, prioritize finding someone with the right skills and experience, even if it costs a bit more. A poorly built website can cost you more in the long run.
• Read reviews carefully: Pay attention to what past clients have to say about a developer’s communication, quality of work, and ability to meet deadlines.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for more portfolio examples: Especially if you have specific functionality requirements.
• Communicate clearly and consistently: Once you’ve hired someone, clear communication is key to a smooth project.

Finding a good developer you can trust can be difficult. You can’t be sure of someone’s skills until you’ve tried working with them.

Ever wish you could skip the vetting and jump straight to the results?

DreamHost’s Web Development Services

If going through countless profiles and searching high and low for the best web developer makes your head spin — then consider a more direct route — DreamHost Web Development Services.

With DreamHost, you get access to a team that has a vested interest in making sure your website is well-optimized and runs smoothly.

Essentially, if diving into the freelance marketplace feels like another task on your already overflowing to-do list, DreamHost’s Web Development Services could be a way to get your custom theme project started immediately.

3 Tips for Managing Your Custom WordPress Theme Development Project

Remember, even if you’ve got a skilled developer or agency building your website, you’re still calling the shots!

Suppose you go with an agency that provides you with a project manager to oversee everything. In that case, you still need to understand the development process and actively manage your project to increase the chances of a successful launch — on time and within budget.

Here are three key tips to keep in mind:

1. Become Familiar With the Development Roadmap (and Key Milestones)

While an agency may provide you with a project manager, you must understand what the process involves beforehand if you want to control your project.

Regardless of its scope, there are certain milestones you should be aware of:

• Discussions and planning: This initial phase involves in-depth discussions about your goals, target audience, required features, and overall vision. Make sure you actively participate and provide clear, detailed information.
• Design phase and approval: If you haven’t nailed down the final visual experience, you’ll need to work with your website designer or developer to finalize it before you move on to coding.
• Development phase: Your developer will need time to code out the templates for your pages. If they’re working from an approved design, they may need additional files from you or details about what functionality you want.
• Testing and approval phase: This is your chance to view your theme on different devices and browsers. If your developer or agency is worth their weight, they will provide a way for you to test your new theme and relay your feedback. 
• Theme delivery and launch: After testing your theme, you’ll want to be clear about what items you’ll need to have adjusted before you can launch. If you find any issues during testing, you have to relay the feedback and discuss a timeline for their completion. Once approved, you’ll have the theme delivered. 

This is by no means a definitive list of what you should do when hiring someone to create your theme. Instead, think of this as a set of talking points to use before you sit down with your developer.

Understanding what’s involved in the process will help you set clear expectations before you start negotiating a price.

Here are some actionable pointers:

• Request a detailed project timeline upfront: This should outline key milestones and estimated completion dates for each phase.
• Ask for regular progress updates: Don’t wait for scheduled meetings. Instead, request brief updates (e.g., weekly, bi-weekly) to stay informed.
• Understand the approval process for each phase: Know when your sign-off is required and provide feedback promptly.

2. Set Realistic and Clear Expectations (Also, Document Everything)

Once you’ve decided what you need from your theme and the developer who will build it for you, you’ll need to be realistic about what you can accomplish in a given time frame.

Start by outlining what you need from your new theme and (if available) provide your prospective developer with the approved design. Make sure they can give you a clear timeline for each phase of the project.

Once you’ve gone through the details of your project and agreed to the terms, make sure to get them in writing.

Be specific about what you expect from your developer when it comes to timelines, deliverables, and pricing.

Your developer will also want to list items that you are responsible for, such as your logo in a specified file format, testing timeframes, user expectations, and approval guidelines for the final product.

Keep these tips in mind:

• Get everything in writing: Use contracts, emails, or project management software to document agreements and decisions.
• Don’t make assumptions: If something is unclear, ask for clarification.
• Be specific with your feedback: Vague feedback leads to delays. Provide detailed explanations and examples.

3. Establish a Consistent Communication Schedule

The whole point of hiring someone to create your custom theme is to free up the time you spend managing your site. Once you’ve established a contract that includes timelines and milestones, you can do just that. However, communication is the key to keeping everything on track.

You’ll need to establish a method of communication that keeps you up to date on your project. If you prefer in-person meetings or telephone conferences, you’ll need to clarify that before you agree to the terms of your contract.

Freelancers (or agencies) may require you to use a project management platform like Basecamp, Asana, or Teamwork. If your freelancer or agency doesn’t offer a project management platform, there are many free options you can use.

Here’s some more actionable advice:

• Schedule regular meetings (weekly or bi-weekly): Even short check-ins can make a big difference.
• Prepare for meetings: Have a list of questions and topics to discuss.
• Provide timely feedback: Don’t hold onto feedback. Keep sharing it when you can.
• Keep communication respectful: Even when disagreements arise, stay professional.

FAQs

Why hire a WordPress developer?

Hire a WordPress developer to create custom website features, build and maintain web applications, optimize website performance, ensure website security, and provide technical expertise you may lack in-house. They can bring your specific digital visions to life.

Can I just develop a custom WordPress theme with AI?

The short answer is: not yet. And certainly not to the level a skilled human developer can. We’re quite a few years away from being able to replace developers with AI. And while AI can handle basic coding tasks, it fails to do so when the codebase becomes larger and more complex.

Where can I hire a WordPress developer?

You can hire WordPress developers on freelance platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, specialist platforms like Codeable and Toptal, and professional networks like LinkedIn, through referrals from your own network, or by contacting web development agencies and hosting providers like DreamHost that offer development services.

How much does it cost to hire a WordPress developer?

The cost to hire a WordPress developer varies widely depending on experience, location, and project complexity. Freelancers can range from $30 to $150+ per hour, while agencies often charge per project, which can range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars.

Create the Perfect User Experience on WordPress

Remember our paper plate example? It shows a simple truth: Presentation matters.

While WordPress templates are okay to begin with, sticking to one as your business grows can hold you back. It’s about understanding that your business is unique, and your website needs to reflect that.

And for that, you need the right developer who gets your vision and can build it. Now, finding that perfect fit might take some searching, but there are ways to simplify the process.

If you’re looking for a convenient and trustworthy solution, DreamHost’s Web Development Services offer a way to create custom WordPress themes built by experienced professionals.

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The post The Smart Business Owner’s Guide To Hiring a WordPress Developer appeared first on DreamHost Blog.

That said, trying to find a theme to fulfill that vision can be quite scary, especially considering the seemingly endless options.

The WordPress marketplace has over 13,000 free themes (over 30,000 if you count the premium ones). And to complement the themes and add functionality, you have over 59,000 plugins.

The great news is that you can create almost anything you imagine. The challenge? Finding a theme that fits your needs without getting lost in the options.

This guide helps you cut through the noise.

You’ll learn what WordPress themes are, how to pick one that fits your goals, and how to customize it for your vision — all without knowing a single line of code. Let’s get your site looking its best, faster.

An Introduction to WordPress Themes

A WordPress theme is a collection of files that define your website’s appearance and functionality. It helps you control elements like layout, color scheme, typography, and widget positions, giving you consistent and appealing design across all pages.

Themes can influence elements as broad as your site’s design or as specific as the colors of your hyperlinks. It’s easy to think of a theme as a “skin” for your site, but they are much more powerful than that.

Beyond just the look and feel, themes also help you control your site’s presentation. For example, if you blog about food and run an online store, the right theme can display your blog posts in one style while offering a more suitable layout for your store’s pages.

With the release of WordPress 5.9, block themes have been introduced as a new way to build and customize websites.

Block themes use blocks for all parts of a site, including navigation menus, headers, content, and footers. We have a full guide dedicated to helping you switch to Block themes.

This approach, unlike the previous theme-dependent layout approach, allows for full site editing, helping you modify the site’s design and layout to be precisely how you want it to be.

Themes are an integral part of WordPress. Here are a few reasons why you may want to choose and install a fresh theme on your site:

• Improve your site’s visual appeal: If you have a specific vision for your site, you can choose a suitable theme and customize it to meet your requirements.
• Enable more design customization: Even without design or coding experience, many themes offer a wealth of customization options to help you create the design you like.
• Implement additional functionality: Depending on your needs, a theme may include niche-specific functionality not found elsewhere.

While the default or customized version of a theme can work for many websites, exploring the vast array of available themes can help you find one that perfectly aligns with your site’s purpose and goals.

Let’s explore this further.

Multipurpose vs. Niche Themes

WordPress themes come in two main types: multipurpose and niche-specific.

Multipurpose Themes

Multipurpose themes are designed to work across various industries and site types. They include many different layouts, widgets, code snippets, and add-ons, making them ideal if you need flexibility and room for creativity.

These themes are perfect for general blogs, portfolios, or businesses that require diverse functionality.

Niche-Specific Themes

Niche themes are designed for specific industries or purposes, such as affiliate marketing or e-commerce, and offer features and designs that address the unique needs of that target audience.

While they can be less customizable than multipurpose themes, their functionality is highly specialized to serve industry-specific requirements.

Here are some niche themes we’ve curated:

• Construction WordPress Themes
• Restaurant Website Themes
• Handyman Website Themes
• Author Website Themes

Generally speaking, your WordPress theme is a matter of your personal preference.

Here’s a simple way to decide:

• Multipurpose themes: Perfect if you need flexibility or aren’t sure exactly what to build. 
• Niche themes: Ideal for saving time since it’s a ready-made solution tailored to your specific industry.

Now, you still need to check your requirements, including your budget, before making your choice. Let’s look at how free and paid themes differ.

Free vs. Premium WordPress Themes

When picking a theme, you can either pick a free theme or a premium theme. So, how do you know which one is right for you?

Here’s a breakdown so you can decide quickly.

Free Themes

You’ll find over 13,000 free themes in the WordPress Theme Directory, each passing a strict review process to ensure quality and security. Some popular options for small business owners include:

• Astra (Free Version): Lightweight, versatile, and great for small business sites
• Storefront: Perfect for e-commerce sites using WooCommerce

Pros:

• No cost, making them ideal for beginners or those on tight budgets
• Reliable and secure due to WordPress’s review standards
• Plenty of design options to get started without overthinking

Cons:

• Limited support — you’re often relying on forums or your own troubleshooting
• Updates can be inconsistent, depending on the developer’s priorities
• Customization options may not match your ambitions

Premium Themes

Premium themes, available on sites like ThemeForest or StudioPress, offer advanced features, better support, and more frequent updates. For small business owners, standout premium themes include:

• Astra (Premium Version): A highly customizable and visually appealing theme, perfect for creative businesses
• Flatsome: A top choice for e-commerce stores with stunning designs

Pros:

• Dedicated support from developers to help with setup and troubleshooting
• Regular updates ensure compatibility with WordPress and improve security
• Rich customization options and advanced features for professional-grade sites

Cons:

• Costs range from one-time payments to ongoing subscriptions
• The abundance of features might feel overwhelming for smaller, simpler sites

Now, what theme should you pick?

Free themes are a safe choice if you’re just starting out and need to keep WordPress website costs low.

But if your business depends on your website’s functionality and polish — think online stores or service providers — premium themes offer the flexibility and support to make a real difference.

Whichever theme you pick, there are always options to extend it further and make it fully personalized for your business.

So, where can you find themes?

Quality Places to Find WordPress Themes

There are many places to find WordPress themes, covering all budgets and niches.

Let’s discuss two of them, starting with the one we’ve already mentioned.

1. The WordPress Theme Directory

The WordPress Theme Directory is the official repository for free WordPress themes.

You can access this via the web or from your WordPress dashboard:

All of the themes have been manually checked via a stringent review process before being listed. We recommend you start here when looking for a budget-friendly theme.

For each theme, you can access information to help you make an informed choice.

For example, you can see how many active installations a theme has, check when it was last updated, read customer reviews and ratings, and access the theme’s support forum.

In addition, you can preview the theme directly from its listing using default data (and using your actual site content if browsing within WordPress).

For a more thorough live demo, look for a link to the developer’s website.

This gives you a chance to see the theme in action. However, installing a theme on your own staging site is a much better way to test the full functionality.

Downloading and installing themes is also straightforward when done directly within WordPress. Just click the Upload theme button on the Add themes page and upload the theme zip file.

Alternatively, if downloaded within the WordPress admin panel, there will be a preview window and an option to install the theme directly.

2. Directly From WordPress Theme Developers

If you don’t like the thought of browsing through a large directory, you can always go directly to the source.

Many WordPress theme developers sell their work directly; however, you might want to do your own quality checks.

Here are some reputable theme developers and marketplaces:

• StudioPress: Creators of the Genesis Framework, offering a variety of premium child themes for different niches.
• ThemeForest: A vast marketplace with a broad selection of premium WordPress themes across nearly every category.
• WooCommerce Marketplace: Provides themes designed for seamless integration with the WooCommerce plugin, which is ideal for e-commerce sites. One theme we love is the Storefront theme, which can be a perfect choice for e-commerce stores.

For niche-specific themes, conducting an internet search yields numerous options tailored to your industry.

However, if you’ve searched everywhere and simply can’t find what you need, consider hiring a developer. Developers can create a custom WordPress theme to look and feel exactly how you want. However, this path is more expensive than buying a packaged theme.

Install Your New Theme Today

Your WordPress theme does more than shape your site’s design — it’s one of the smartest moves you can make for your website.

A well-designed theme sets the tone for your brand, enhances the user experience by working well on any device, and can even boost conversions.

To make the experience even smoother for your users, you need a host that remains fast, secure, and updated. DreamHost’s managed WordPress hosting, DreamPress, does all that and much more.

With less time spent on technical details, you can focus on creating a website that works for your audience and your business goals.

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Reliable, lightning-fast hosting solutions specifically optimized for WordPress.

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The post WordPress Themes: Overview and Tips on Finding the Perfect One appeared first on DreamHost Blog.