The online casino industry is an extremely competitive one. Established brands were quick to set up a digital presence when the internet arrived, and many other operators have since followed.
In the present day, the sector shows no sign of slowing down. In order for all casino brands to thrive, they must look to stand out from the competition, and one of the ways in which they can do this is via a striking website.
Back to Basics
A website in any industry should cover a few basic requirements. It needs to be appealing to the eye, but it must also be easy to navigate. For an online casino, this means providing prominent links to all parts of the site.
Players do not want to waste time finding their favourite games. When the time comes to make a deposit or a withdrawal, the cashier’s pages should also be easy to find. Customer service buttons should also be clear. These are all essential, but each web designer has more tools to use in order to make their casino brand stand out.
Above and Beyond
The games section of each website can be divided into specific categories. Roulette, blackjack and slots are the most popular options and these need to be clearly shown. Some operators will also have a poker section, but many have a separate website for this game.
Bingo, lottery and a live casino will also be linked. This is great for players, but many will already have their favourite games. Therefore, it is helpful to include an A to Z search bar if they are looking for Starburst, Gonzo’s Quest, or any other slot.
The buzzword around this type of feature used to be ‘user-friendly.’ It’s a phrase that has become slightly outdated in recent years, but it remains as a mission for web designers to follow. If the website is easy to navigate and those users can find their favourite games in a short period of time, the operator is more likely to retain their customers.
The Financials
The best casinos have a wide range of funding options. Along with the basics such as debit cards and bank transfers, there are many ways in which customers can deposit to and withdraw from a site.
eWallets are a popular option and these may include Paypal, Skrill and others. As for the web designer, they need to list every funding method that the casino provides. These should be clear and easy to follow. Many casinos show the logo of the funding provider in question and this adds another touch of colour with good visuals to back up the information.
Keeping Players Informed
An area for blog posts is a perfect way to keep customers engaged and boost a casino’s standing in search engine results. A blog post can be informative and may offer instructions on how to play a certain game.
Blog updates can also be promotional, and may tell customers about upcoming offers that they can take advantage of. By engaging players in this way, they can help to retain customers who feel they are part of the community.
Terms and Conditions
While this may not be the most exciting part of any website, it’s one of the most essential. General terms and conditions are important in order to keep players informed of the rules.
These can be general terms such as minimum deposits and withdrawals, or they can be regulations attached to a specific promotion. The web designer must have space to showcase these details and they must be easy to find and simple to understand.
Details of player security is another must have. Along with all the promotional elements that draw new customers in, it’s essential for the casino to have this information.
True To Life
While the online casino industry stands on its own, there is a drive for web designers to make the online platform as lifelike as possible. Discussions among those involved in the industry make it clear that the target is for players to feel like they are at a real casino.
The live rooms clearly help in this respect, although games that use automated software, should be bright and colourful, employing all of the sights and sounds of the real thing. In the future, the use of virtual reality could also enhance the user experience. All of the key points mentioned here need to be considered, but the realism element is the web designer’s main aim.
There are so many factors that make up a great casino website. From the question of aesthetics, through to key elements such as ease of navigation, the web designers have to meet all of these requirements.
In such a competitive industry, a website can literally make or break a casino brand, and the best portals have to incorporate all of these essential criteria.
