– GREEN DIGITAL –
New idea, new startup, new brand: building a website is generally the first step you will take.
It’s rather simple to build a website, but it’s more complex to have an evolutive, sustainable website. On top of that, if you want this website to be green, you would better start with a well thought-off website.
Why a green website
It’s all clear on the recent trends of technology: a green website is now a must-have.
– Speed
Google recently introduced the AMP, Accelerated Mobile Pages, to enable fast browsing of websites. By being open to this new page format, your website will both ensure speed for your visitors, but also a significant reduction of the energy consumption while browsing your website.
– Search engine optimisation
Google officially announced his search algorithm would now be mobile, local and AMP first. While SEO aims at helping you be on top positions, don’t forget it’s always the call of visitors to pick your website for discovery. Working on your content, meta and titles with a green, simple and clear message will help you bring more visitors to your pages.
– Responsibility
Recent studies led on millennial always end up with same conclusions: 60% of consumers now choose willingly responsible brands over fancy ones. Your website is the first place to broadcast the values and responsibility of your brand.
– Green design
Along with new instant interactions, mobile, and Internet of things, the web now tends to green design apps. And it all makes sense: while working on a simple, minimal, green design, you finally simplify the UI/UX and ease the visitor journey.
How to build a green website
“Ok, I get it. But how do I build a green website?”
That’s where things get tricky: there’s no universal way of doing it. Having worked around a number of projects, we have come to a series of advices for you to have a good start.
1. Keep things simple
You wouldn’t believe us, but making things simple is hard. If you like pre-packed bags for trekking, then WordPress with a scalable and optimised theme will probably suit you. If you’re more into adventure, coding your own site with simple HTML/CSS is also a solution.
2. Use third-party apps
To ensure your website complies with green standards, some ingenious third parties offer a bunch of applications that will help you along the way.
3. Reduce your footprint
Calculating how much CO2 your website is good, taking action to compensate is better. Add you website to a compensation program.
4. Minimise your data
There’s no need for you to store 10 years of pictures that won’t even be used publicly on your website. Minimise the data you store to avoid consuming too much energy.
5. Hosting
Select a green hosting for your website. Not all providers have the same preoccupations regarding energy, and making the right choice is a key step in your green approach.
6. Audit the milestones
Growing from hundreds to thousands of daily visitors will impact your website for sure. Always audit your website along the milestones to ensure the new traffic is still green-supported.
7. Act natural
Last but not least: act natural. We have a great series of actions behind this advice, but basically, playing the natural card will avoid you tons of useless actions, content, pages, advertising. Remember that today, more than ever, quality matters first.
That’s it: we hope these advices are useful!
We’re always delighted to empower organisations that make the green choice: contact us here if you need help for your next green website.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Passionate about the environment, digital and tech.
18 years of experience in digital strategy and digital marketing.
