Prioritise Functionality
It’s easy to get wrapped up in trying to stand out from the crowd, by choosing to take a very artistic or abstract approach to web design, but this often comes at a needlessly large cost. Too many businesses make the mistake of forgetting to prioritise functionality above all else, which ends up putting their brand at a major long term disadvantage compared to its online competitors. The importance of offering a smooth user experience through responsive loading times and a sensical web page layout should never be overlooked.
Keep SEO In Mind
SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, describes the process of adding numerous algorithm-friendly digital features to a website, with the aim to boost its visibility via various search engine results. This form of marketing and exposure is unrivalled in its level of effectiveness, so be sure to keep it in mind when conceptualising your brand’s website. Good SEO should involve the inclusion of topical key words and phrases, high quality imagery and numerous backlinks.
Embrace Simplicity
Research suggests that online users hate being overwhelmed by too much visual complexity all at once, and it actually may be one of the leading causes behind depleting website traffic. Including too much digital information throughout your web page is guaranteed to overwhelm the onlooker, making it harder for them to engage with your business’s call to action. No need to overdo it with the typography or the colour scheme – less is more.
Avoid Tabs and Sliders
Fanciful website features such as tabs, sliders and accordions are generally not very attractive to potential clientele, who are usually trying to navigate your website in the most efficient way possible. Studies show that these complex aspects of web design often largely go ignored by online customers, as most users just want to scan the website for the information they’re seeking out without too much hassle. Don’t complicate the process by over-designing your business’s digital space.
Remember The Visual Hierarchy
“The visual hierarchy” is a term used to describe the sensical arrangement of your website’s features in order of importance. Structuring your brand’s online platform by laying out simple visual characteristics that slowly guide the website user to performing a desired action is the general rule of thumb here, and it is massively effective when aiming for an elevated approach to web design.
