Boost Your Business: Web Design Ideas – Chadds Ford Live
It takes about 0.5 seconds for a web surfer to get an idea of your website.
So if you think you can still get by with weak web design elements, you’re wrong. People will immediately form an opinion of your products/services based on the look and content of your website.
It has to be perfect if you want to keep their attention. A cluttered web design indicates that you don’t know how to use technology or don’t care. Both options are unacceptable.
Here are some general principles of good web design:
Simplicity
Too many elements presented at once can overwhelm the senses. Instead of including as much as possible on your web page, focus on one or two sections.
Huge blocks of small text quickly make people lose interest. Use a primary font type to grab your visitor’s attention.
You also need to pay attention to the color. Conflicting color patterns may offend some people.
Keep it simple by selecting no more than two complementary color schemes that represent what your website stands for:
Red — enthusiastic
Yellow — energetic
Green — growing
Blue — relaxed
Orange — warm
Violet – concentrated
brand elements
Logos and similar brand graphics are crucial for two main reasons:
- They make your website look professional;
- They provide a recognizable graphic that sticks in users’ heads.
Brand recognition is a powerful thing. If you have a great graphic that people associate with good content, they’re more likely to come back.
A high-res logo in the corner of your screen can also serve as a home button that streamlines navigation on your site.
IImmediately communicate what your website is about
Don’t force users to search your page to find out what kind of website you have. Transmit this information instantly, so they don’t waste time.
Images or large text are key here. You also need to make sure your web page is easy to navigate. If someone gets lost, don’t expect them to stick around.
contact page
Almost every website should have a contact page, especially if you’re selling something. Sites without a contact page seem unreliable.
A study found that 44% of Internet users leave a website if they discover that it does not have a contact information page.
As such, it’s worth adding one, even if it’s just a comments or suggestions page. It shows that you want to hear from your visitors.
It also gives you access to your visitors’ emails, which you can use for newsletters, special offers or content updates.
Use white space
White space is the negative space on a website – the area left blank by no text, graphics or video. Making the most of your site’s white space is one of the essentials of good design.
For one, it makes your website easier to read. White space can highlight a portion of text or an image that you want to stand out.
It is also ideal for separating different sections from each other. The open white space design offers a minimalist look that appeals to short attention spans.
Generate original content
People need an excuse to visit your website, and original content is your icebreaker. It introduces your brand to the user and keeps them coming back.
But how do you generate content for your website? Think about what might appeal to users who visit your site. For example, if you have a hardware website, some home repair content will draw potential customers to your page.
If you need more ways to come up with content ideas, it’s best to hire a professional. We write content even if we don’t design the site for you.
Mobile version
These days, someone is just as likely to view your website on their smartphone as they are on their desktop computer. So if you have a great design that works on the web, but fails on mobile, you’re losing half of your potential viewers.
Test your website by finding it on a mobile device and troubleshooting it. If you see any glaring issues, address them before launching the site.
User-friendly search
So, you made a beautiful website? Congratulation! But it doesn’t matter if people can’t find it. Using SEO features on your website will make it more likely to show up in people’s Google search.
Make sure your website displays correctly in all different types of browsers. Also, be sure to use things like meta tags, alt tags, and title tags in the HTML coding.
Know the Difference Between Good and Bad Web Design Elements
Some people think that functional web design elements are subjective, but they are proven strategies to keep people on your site and keep them coming back.
About Maria Novak Dugan
Maria L. Novak Dugan is President of Marketing Solutions & Business Development, a West Chester, PA company providing creative marketing services and goal setting for small and medium businesses. For more information contact Maria at 610-405-0633 or [email protected] or visit www.Maria-L-Novak.com She has over 20 years experience in the marketing and sales industry. .. 13 of them as the sole sales rep for a Pennsylvania payroll company that grew its customer base by over 500%. Maria Novak Dugan is a member of the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce, the Latino Luncheon Group of West Chester, Neighbors in Business of the Glen Mills Area, News4Women and The Associated Press. She is also the former Executive Director of the Delaware Chapter of eWomenNetwork. Creating, developing and leading this division of a national organization has enhanced her knowledge of networking, event planning, fundraising and small business development.