Blog Recap: 19 Ways To Give Your Website a Glow-Up

On February 18th, 2026, Social Media Breakfast Madison welcomed Creative Director John Huston and Marketing Consultant Steve Mintz from Madison’s Huston Design to share their website expertise.

Attendees were not only able to enjoy coffee and incredible networking but we celebrated National Ice Cream for Breakfast day with our breakfast sponsor Stellie’s Ice Cream who brought in 3 incredible flavors for everyone to try. Check them out!

The SMBMadison team also gave away a Facebook Portal, a frame connected to Facebook, as a prize. Make sure you register for next month for your chance to win.

Keep reading to learn more about what John & Steve shared with us on how to apply five key techniques to improve your website readability. Click here to get the presentation slides.

Did you know that 75 percent of people judge a company just based on their website? In less then one second, a person forms either a positive or negative impression of a company. A poorly designed website can lead to many negative impacts such as loss of credibility, customers, and revenue. This goes to show just how important it is to have a proper website.

Typography

Your website will have many different visitors. In order to make sure that everyone can read your content, it is important to make sure that you are AA compliant by doing the following things.

Ensure contrast makes writing eligible
Spacing is 135%. Anything less can make people feel cramped.
Utilize categories and subcategories to help people follow concepts easier
Use dividers to create structure within the information presented
Aim for no more than 60 words per line to make reading easy

Trustbreakers

When visitors come to your website, they will look for clues that will let them conclude whether your site is trustworthy or not. Use these techniques to help build your trustworthiness.

Testimonials are very important. In fact, 72% of people trust a website after looking at testimonials. Make sure you include a picture, name, and job title to show who made the review. Include before and after photos or videos if possible. Include specific information.
Give any available proof that you have that can back up the statements you are making. For instance, case studies or mentions in the media. Mentioning the businesses that you work with is also a good idea.
Include staff bios. This increases the likelihood that a visitor makes a personal connection with you. For instance, maybe they have the same favorite food or sports team.
We live in a fast paced society. Make your website work fast as well. People don’t want to waste time on a page that doesn’t load.
Make sure spelling and grammar are correct.
Include contact information. If it is missing, it may raise suspicions.
Don’t include pop up ads or other spammy content.
Make sure all links are working.

Call to Action

Once people have digested the information on your website, you need to give them the next steps. They need information on how they can make a final decision. Here are some tips:

Make sure your call to action is well designed and not missing information. You will need to include information to peak their interest in signing up. After that, make sure that the visitor is given proper expectations and the process to sign up is simple.
Make sure the call to action button is not weak or inadequate. In order to do this, include text that explains what they are to do with the call to action button
Don’t have too many call to action buttons. If you include too many buttons such as “call now”, “donate now”, etc, this can leave the visitor confused and overwhelmed.

The Damage Reliance on AI Can Have on Your Website

Yes, AI can be very helpful. However, it is important to still go over your work. At the end of the day, the website is connecting with humans. Here are some things to keep an eye on when using AI:

Inflated significance and diluted message
Ranges that say nothing.
Summary language such as “in conclusion” or “overall”
Editorial Insertions
Three part lists everywhere
Adding your own words can combat the lack of emotion AI can convey

SPONSORS:

NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT: Logan’s Hearts and Smiles

Logan’s provides accessibility and safety home modifications for ages 21 and under with a disability. Think wheelchair ramps, safety fencing, bathroom adaptations, sensory installations, and more! We also provide a community where the children and their families are included and connected to each other and the broader community. They primarily work in Southern WI, are in their 24th year and have modified over 430 homes for children.

Logan’s Hearts and Smiles was founded by a dad who struggled to find a solution for his son, and when he realized it didn’t exist, he literally took matters into his own hands and built the ramp himself. Finding unique solutions remains at the core of what they do. They describe themselves as “scrappy, fun, and resourceful in all that we do to help other families in need”. Logan’s is not a pass through organization, they connect with the children and families they serve on a very human level.

Logan’s upcoming events include:

March 7 – Pot O’ Gold Fundraiser – Intimate networking and fundraising event – great chance to speak casually with staff and the founder while raising money.
May 16 – Annual Fundraiser – largest fundraiser of the year – golf, trivia, dinner, silent auction, raffles, meet Logan’s Friends

Connect with them at:

What’s next?

March’s Social Media Breakfast Madison (March 18 7:30-9) will feature “The Courage to Be Seen: Why Authenticity Cuts Through Social Media Noise” Laura Marie Kaiser, Founder, Engage Social Media. This event will be in-person and virtual. Be sure to follow Social Media Breakfast Madison on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Feb 18, 2026 Samantha Nagin