Best Websites in Myrtle Beach

For hotels and accommodations websites, the most important factor of a quality user experience is making the booking process as simple and seamless as possible — both on desktop and mobile devices.

Though it can be tough to compete against large Online Travel Agencies like Expedia, local companies such as Brittain Resorts and Vacation Myrtle Beach have done this admirably.

Resorts such as Grande Cayman Resort, Hotel Blue, Kingston Plantation, and Island Vista not only handle booking well, but also include key elements like high-quality resort and room photos and easy-to-navigate site designs.

Additionally, vacation rental companies such as Condo World and Palmetto Vacation Rentals and campgrounds including Carolina Pines and Lakewood Campground also do a good job of helping visitors find places to stay.

Honorable Mention: Check out some of our area’s top tourism portal websites including MyrtleBeach.com, Visit Myrtle Beach and Explore North Myrtle Beach, which are all well-designed and provide a great starting point for accommodations.

For those of us “in the industry” as we say, it seems that there are many different takes on what an agency site should look like. By the nature of what we do, folks in the advertising and marketing business are eager to show how dynamic and creative we can be — sometimes to a fault.

Local companies that definitely excel by going for the “Wow!” factor include LHWH, Coastal Outdoor Advertising, New Media Digital, and Three Ring Focus, which all present information in unique ways.

Leaving some of the bells and whistles aside, common elements that should go into a good agency site include prominent calls-to-action, simple navigation, responsive design, and plenty of content (blogs, case studies, whitepapers, etc.). Some agencies that excel in this avenue are The Brandon Agency, RdyToGo Web, and Intracoastal Net Designs.

Honorable Mention: Banton Media for its up-front approach to pricing; Studio 303 and Collins & Co. for interesting takes on-site navigation.

For those of us “in the industry” as we say, it seems that there are many different takes on what an agency site should look like. By the nature of what we do, folks in the advertising and marketing business are eager to show how dynamic and creative we can be — sometimes to a fault.

Local companies that definitely excel by going for the “Wow!” factor include LHWH, Coastal Outdoor Advertising, New Media Digital, and Three Ring Focus, which all present information in unique ways.

Leaving some of the bells and whistles aside, common elements that should go into a good agency site include prominent calls-to-action, simple navigation, responsive design, and plenty of content (blogs, case studies, whitepapers, etc.). Some agencies that excel in this avenue are The Brandon Agency, RdyToGo Web, and Intracoastal Net Designs.

Honorable Mention: Banton Media for its up-front approach to pricing; Studio 303 and Collins & Co. for interesting takes on-site navigation.

Unlike websites which demand deep content and complex functionality, restaurant sites are fairly simple — just make your food and facility look appealing, tell people how to get there and give them a feel for your overall atmosphere.

Capturing the vibe is a key aspect for sites like Pier 14, River City Cafe, and Suck Bang Blow (which nails the south end biker bar’s mix of edgy and appealing perfectly).

One of the biggest mistakes that sites make is making it tough to find the menu. Local sites which do a good job of making their menu a prominent call to action are Tupelo Honey, Bummz Cafe, and Angus Steakhouse.

Other good-looking sites that take their functionality a step further are Sea Captain’s House, Strong Water Craft Cocktails & Kitchen, 21 Main, and Johnny D’s which all allow for reservations and/or ordering online.

Honorable Mention: 44 & King and Eggs Up Grill are both great looking sites that make me hungry just looking at them.

With the total value of global eCommerce being nearly $4 trillion, it’s safe to say that a good retail website should be one that focuses heavily on the customer experience around selling goods and services online. Platforms like WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Magneto, and Shopify allow even small businesses to set up functional shops with relative ease.

Local retailers that have leveraged these technologies effectively to set up nice-looking eCommerce experiences include Native Sons, Spartina 449, and Pawleys Island Hammocks.

Also in the retail space, The Market Common, Coastal Grand Mall, and Pawleys Island Hammock Shops deliver on what a shopping center website should do — make the facility look appealing and make it easy to find the stores people are looking for.

Honorable Mention: Its overall design may leave a bit to desire, but you’ve got to hand it to the Gay Dolphin, one of Myrtle Beach’s oldest and most iconic shops, for having a respectably functioning eCommerce website.

Obviously, there are too many to catch every great website in the area, but it’s great to see more and more local businesses embracing the idea of using technology (and design) to help grow and promote their business.

Here’s a rundown of some quality sites in a variety of other industries:

• Automotive: Sparks Toyota, Redline Powersports, Diamondback Classic Radials
• Banking: CresCom Bank, Anderson Brothers Bank, South State Bank
• Beauty & Spas: Mirage Hair Studio, Awakening Spa, Cinzia Spa
• Events: Pawleys Island Festival of Music & Art, Carolina Country Music Festival
• Gyms & Fitness: CrossFit Myrtle Beach, Beast Boxing, MegaFitness Gym
• Home Services: Spann Roofing, East Coast Fence, Highland Roofing
• Insurance: Tilghman Insurance, SAU Insurance
• Lawyers: Law Offices of David Durant, Maguire Law Firm, Goldfinch Winslow
• Nonprofits: Murrells Inlet 2020, Boys & Girls Club of the Grand Strand, Horry County Firefighter’s Relief Fund, Surf Dreams Foundation
• Watersports: Express Watersports, Downwind Sails
• Other: GoCCUSports.com, Goldfinch Funeral Home, Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Myrtle Beach International Airport, Santee Cooper