Web design may be at each designer’s discretion. The designs will be different depending on the preference of the designer(s). New designs are constantly changing and depending on the trends set, designs and ideas can come and go quickly. However, there are some aspects in web design that stay true with time. Here are five quick tips that can help your web design be presented at its best.
Visuals
The one thing that attracts viewers is appealing visuals. Visuals consist of colors, space, text, images, videos, and graphics. It may seem like a lot to cover, but it is important as it will be the difference on having the user click on the back button or one of the buttons on the site.
Colors alone can definitely intrigue a viewer’s interest. That extra second could help determine if the visitor will delve deeper into the website. If the colors are uneven or don’t match, expect viewers to exit.
Space is also important. Using space is key to leading viewers navigate deeper into a website. There can be a lot of background space or an image can cover most of the website. It all depends on what you are trying to portray to the viewers. Websites are all about first impressions and if the site can’t capture a visitor’s eyes, then expect to be skipped over by a competitor’s website.
Images can really help a website “pop” out more than others. Photos help differ a website from looking generic. Same things can be said about videos. The better quality photos and videos used, the better the results of having visitors staying and revisiting later.
Text is important for SEO (Search Engine Optimization). There are various fonts available which help stylize a website without having to sacrifice SEO. Designers don’t have to create images to make a type look in a specific way anymore.
Just keep things simple for users. Simplicity is key on retaining more visitors.
About Page
People want to know who/whom they are dealing with. Whether it may be an artist or a flower distributor, visitors want to know about the person or about the company.
Simply put, people are curious. Visitors want to know everything about who they are dealing with. An about page, can help detail the philosophies, work, testimonials, services, products sold, and much more about yourself or the company. It makes it a little more personal. Think about it as someone asking you, “Can you tell me about yourself (or the company)?” Not having an About page can make a website forgettable.
However, as stated before, keep things simple. If the About page gets too long and wordy, you lose the interest of the visitor.
Contact Information
An obvious point to state to have your contact information on your webpage, but it is also how you display your contact information as well.
Certain webpage’s may put contact information on a header or on a separate page. As long as the contact information is visible for customers to easily search for, you have given your visitors less frustration during their searches. Otherwise, expect your customers to head on over to the competition’s webpage. The contact information should contain the “business card minimum” such as a name, address, website, email, phone number, etc., etc. That way, you ensure the customer to contact you in multiple ways and not miss anything they might have to say.
Content
The meat or soul of the site, especially in terms of quality content. Quantity can easily ensured once a dedicated worker or a large is in place for specific content. However, quality should always be first, as viewers want to be entertained, informed, or be interested on your site.
Content also needs to be length appropriate as well. If a blog is written about a simple topic, keep short and simple. If it is a research paper or a novel, then the content can be long and thought-out. Don’t bore your readers, as many have a million other options on the web to move onto.
User Experience
How do you keep visitors from only glancing at a website? By keeping things simple for the user. Navigating a webpage is similar to navigating a new city. You don’t know where anything is, but the signs help point to the nearest landmark or store. The same thing applies to websites. Navigation is key on keeping customers frustration-free and easily search for certain products, services, or other tidbits of information.
Make things too cluttered can lead to confusion and thus losing visitors. Make the links visible, which allows visitors to quickly get to their destination. The less lost visitors are, the more they are willing to come back because of the simplicity of finding what they are looking for.
