Business
The Seven Golden Rules Of Web Design
Web design is so much more than creating a pretty website. It’s your first impression. It’s your statement to the world. It depicts your branding, and tells the visitor everything they need to know about your company. Before you actually say anything. Image is crucial. Not only that, but your web design must center around functionality and usability. No matter how creative and unique your site, if users can’t navigate simply, then it’s all worthless.
Of course, we’re not saying that you can’t get creative. Some of the best web designers are highly skilled artists in their own right. You should make every effort to inject some artistry and style into your website. However, you must never sacrifice functionality for style. With that in mind, we spoke to a variety of close friends in the web design industry. We asked them to share their advice on the most important aspects of web design. Their words are vital for small business owners looking to get their business up and running.
- “Simplicity is key”
The very best websites are brilliantly simple. The hardest job for any web designer is distilling all the useful information and tasks into a simple interface. The less you can show and say, the better. Put the entire emphasis on just one or two essential elements, and lead the visitors straight to it. This is no easy task, especially if you’ve got a complicated business proposition. In general, you need just a couple of things. Your logo, your value proposition, and a clear call-to-action. As a designer, it’s your job to make these elements stand out. Remove anything else.
- “Look for unique typography”
Many of the web designers we spoke to bemoaned the lack of expression and creativity in the world of fonts. That’s because most websites tend to follow the same pattern. They stick to a simple formula of sans-serif fonts, usually ariel. It’s a clear sign of a ‘template’ website, or quick theme choice. It’s the one thing that gives away the lack of professionalism. A good web designer will choose a font that works for your brand. Better yet, they’ll create a new one just for you.
- “Choose large, stunning images”
Images sell products. It’s as simple as that. They say a picture paints a thousand words; and it certainly does when it comes to web design. Nothing is more evocative than showing customers your product in action. Make use of large spaces to insert huge images of your product or service. Don’t tell people what you do. Show them. They instantly understand what you’re selling, and you can move straight onto the next stage.
- “Responsive design is the new normal”
A ‘responsive’ website is one that automatically shapes itself to whichever device loads it up. Let’s say you access a website on your laptop. The website knows it’s a laptop, so it adapts to show the site in the best possible way. When that same website is opened on an iPhone, it instinctively adjusts its measurements and design to fit the new device. According to web design experts, this is now a minimum expectation for all web users. So make sure your latest website is responsive.
- “Use clear, sharp copy”
Of course, we’ll leave the actual wording to the copywriters. They have their own magic dust to sprinkle on words and sentences. But, once the copy is delivered, it’s the web designer’s job to integrate it correctly. The best designs are clear, concise, and powerful. Remember, web users don’t read the internet in the same way they do a magazine or a book. They skim. They look for keywords that catch their eye. Copy placement is very important. Use big, bold headlines, and smaller sub-titles.
- “Space is your most important design element”
Most designers tend to focus on ‘things’. They’re busy creating great logos and inserting the right pictures. They’re crafting great looking buttons, infographics, and boxes. But there’s one design element that has more impact than any of these. Empty space. It’s a web designer’s best kept secret. By integrating huge amounts of open space, you can draw the user’s eye to just one simple element. Get rid of clutter! You don’t need it. Fill your website with space, and float only the key ingredients in the middle.
- “Never sacrifice user experience for style”
We touched upon this in the introduction paragraph, but it bears repeating. Web design is all about creativity. We respect that. But, you must never let a fun or creative design outshine functionality. Good user experience is the only thing that matters. Make it simple, informative, and easy to navigate.
There you have it, web designers! How many of these rules are you following correctly?
