7 Steps to Creating Excellent Web Design
Today’s business is increasingly web dependent. Even business that once were able to avoid using websites are now finding that they need to digitize to stay alive. The neighborhood cafe, grocery store, and event he autobody repair shop, once entirely offline, now find internet marketing to be a powerful tool. Still, many small business owners aren’t sure what quality web design entails. In this guide, you will learn 7 easy steps to excellent web design that converts site visitors into clients, boosts your visibility, and improves sales.
1) Know What Your Site Users Are Looking For In Web Design
Today’s consumers are tech-savvy. A website with poor design or organization will drive them away quickly. You need to maximize your first impression. According to research done on the reaction of users to web design, most concentration takes place at the top of the page. By the bottom, they’ve lost interest. Keep your main message clear, focused, visually engaging, and towards the top of the page. Most cultures also tend to favor content on the right hand side of the page, as well.
2) Visual Design and User-Friendly Design Are Equally Important
This point is common sense, really. If the design of a site is overly simplistic or lacks visual appeal, it will come off as cheap. A white paper released by Moz.com revealed that most site users judge a business by its website’s appearance, and where mobile sites were concerned, its mobile-friendliness. In short, if your website doesn’t look good, your prospective clients will assume that you don’t care about your business. On the other hand, if you have an excellent web design and your site is easy to navigate via computer and mobile phone, you’ll see more foot traffic as a result.
3) Your Website Is A Symbol Of Your Business
Like we addressed in the preceding point, the visuals and the usability of your site are both key. There is another aspect to this point, however. Web design that takes into account your industry, and creates style and design that appeal to your target market specifically are keys to success. Keep advertising to a minimum on your site, both external and internal. You wouldn’t want to post sales posters and fliers all over the walls of your business, and the same is true for your website. Keep advertisements to a minimum.
4) Quality Web Design Might Require Professional Help
Quality web design involves many small details that small business owners may not have time to manage independently. From tracking the impact of different features to incorporating SEO, SEM, and other digital marketing tactics, web design is complicated. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Web and graphic designers working in collaboration with professional copy writers and digital marketing experts can help you create a website that is user-friendly, effective and attractive.
5) Color Matters
There are many advertising professionals who have attempted to qualify the psychological attributes of color to branding. You may well be aware of them, and probably have used their research in your business. Color has a significant impact on websites, as well. Many site users who are used to looking through sites from a particular industry will expect specific design principles, often without realizing it themselves. Color schemes are one of the most important aspects of a website, and one of the first things most users notice. Make sure that your palette matches your brand image, and your industry.
6) Simplicity Is Key
Website users don’t like to waste time. They want information delivered quickly and effectively. Sometimes, the ability to convey an entire image in just a few words will carry you farther than paragraphs of text. Save your longer texts for your site’s blog, and keep your website’s design easy to navigate and quick to read.
7) Follow The Two Minute Rule
There is a rule that many web designers like to incorporate, and it works across industries. Imagine that your potential customer will only be on your site for two minutes. Does your design convey the message it needs to in that time window? Are your key features, important points, or other distinguishing attributes immediately visible? If not, head back to the drawing board.
The 7 points in this article are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Effective web design that achieves results has to be flexible. Trends change. Websites that were the peak of good design in 2005 today look antiquated and out of touch. You have to be willing to improve constantly. Yes, today’s market is more challenging. But if you incorporate quality web design in your business, you’ll profit from the effort.