Are you interested in learning more about web design and how it can help your business grow? Welcome to website design 101, do you wonder what your website might be missing?
If so, then it’s important to learn all that you can about implementing a proper layout for your users.
The design and layout of your website don’t just help your site visitors navigate your website, it also helps with sales conversions and SEO as well.
By learning about different web design tips, you can then implement them into your site and reap the rewards. See below the guide on website design 101 and the factors that you can’t afford to miss for your site.
1. Mobile Friendliness
What a crazy world this is. A majority of people that visit the internet are now doing so with their smartphones. The desktop is no longer the top way that people visit websites.
As such, your website’s mobile-friendliness (ability to adapt to a smartphone’s screen) is more important than ever. If your site doesn’t adjust to a mobile screen, then there is work to do. Site visitors using their phone will click away faster than you can say “bye bye sales conversion“.
Make sure to keep a simplistic design that’s easy to maneuver. Think in terms of using your thumb. Create an easy-to-use menu screen that the site visitor can use at any time, no matter how far down they scroll on your site.
Be sure to reach out to a custom web design company for more help on this. That way, you’ll never miss another mobile user again!
2. Declutter Your Home Page
Have you ever opened up a textbook to study for a class and opened it to find that the entire page is filled with words? Odds are, you felt like closing the book and going to do something else like play videos or hang out with friends.
That’s the exact same feeling your site visitors get when your home page is cluttered with content. Except, instead of going to play video games, they’ll go to your competitor’s website.
The home page of your website is a means to an end. It’s the first impression that many of your prospects are getting for your brand.
These days, site users are used to combing a page, looking for specific words that point them to the topic or product that they’re looking for.
Instead of flooding your home page with words, try mixing up the content. Post a video or two, use high-quality images, use one word for your page tabs, and so on.
3. Use Color Psychology
The website that you build is all about visual imagery. It’s about using high-resolution images, your logo, and the right colors to entice the site visitor to learn more about your brand.
Whether you realize it or not, the colors that you use on your website send a subliminal message to anyone that visits it. It’s called color psychology, and if you choose the wrong colors, then you might be sending the wrong message to your clients.
Be sure to think through the vibe that you’re going for and what colors will be best suited for it.
For example, if you’re a cleaning company that uses eco-friendly products, consider using green to exude a tone of health and peace. If you’re a law firm, then using blue can send a feeling of trustworthiness and dependability for your brand.
4. Keep a Standard Layout
When in doubt, go the standard route. Too many companies make the mistake of focusing too much on creating a unique website layout.
However, by creating a website layout that’s never been done before, you’re creating a layout that your site visitors have zero experience with. That’s never a good thing.
When it comes to web design, site users prefer familiarity. It helps them get to the information that they need in the fastest way.
So, while you may not like using things like a standard “contact us” page tab and using a long home page, it’s a method that’s tried and true.
Focus on differentiating yourself with the content that you push out. Leave the website’s layout as generic as possible so that your clients can get to things like your blog articles, product pages, and online contact forms that much faster.
5. Focus on the Scroll
Always remember this piece of sage advice when it comes to web design: site users prefer scrolling rather than clicking. In fact, the more clicks you require of your site visitors, the lower the sales conversions that you’ll have.
Focus on a scroll-heavy home page that maintains a simple design, while also offering all the information your target audience needs.
You can include content such as an intro video, about us summary (keep it brief), testimonials from your previous clients, statistics, and so on. You’ll want to have your professional web design company build a long home page to fit this mold.
Once your client has scrolled through your long home page, they’ll click on other links within it to learn more.
6. Size the Content to Prominence
As with any other company, there will be certain bits of content on your home page that you’ll want to push your clients towards. You can increase the odds of site visitors clicking those pages by enlarging that content.
The larger the size, the more likely a site visitor will click on it. Be sure to enlarge your most important content such as blog articles, product pages, and so on at the top of your home page.
The content of lesser importance, such as your about us page, contact us page, and frequently asked questions, can be put in the smaller text towards the bottom of the page.
Website Design 101: It’s All in the Details
As you’ve undoubtedly noticed with the points made in this website design guide, the details of your website are what will set you apart.
Be sure to read this article for more information on how to launch a website successfully and efficiently.
For more inquiries, please be sure to reach out via our contact us page and we will be happy to assist you further!