Things You Should Consider When Deciding On Web Design

In our previous post, we wrote about the eight elements that a business website should have. This time, we are going to focus specifically on the design of your site.

By now, it is quite obvious that businesses that are serious about what they are doing must have a website. Whether it is merely to portray a professional image or used as a tool to generate business, one cannot deny that a well-designed website presents a better opportunity than one that is not.

Coming up with a design fit for your company or brand is more of a creative process, so allow us to shed some light on the matter so that it will be simpler for you to decide on your website’s design.

Be Clear On Who You Are

Getting involved in designing your website is exciting and oftentimes, you can already picture the outcome without much thought. The truth is, however, to achieve great website design, a good amount of thought has to go into the process. A good way to start would be to look for inspiration though the internet. There are tons of websites on web design that can give you a good idea on the latest design trends. Another way could be to see what your competitor is doing. Lastly, Connecting with the right branding professionals can help you get through this process as smoothly as possible if you don’t have the time or expertise to go through this yourself.

A strong brand identity throughout the site will help you convey your message flawlessly to your audience. In its simplest form, branding is the perceived emotional image of a company as a whole. Therefore, you should have a coherent and consistent “voice and vibe” across your site. When your brand has a clear character, it will naturally attract individuals or groups who will associate themselves with your brand. This is how you can attract more clients.

Be Consistent

Creating a website is a collaborative process. Several stakeholders from your company will usually be involved with the website design process. Idea clashing and differences in taste will always occur, so to add to our previous point, it is important that all stakeholders are on the same page when it comes to brand identity. Your brand identity will be your anchor into everything that goes into your website. Your photos, write ups, and video (if applicable) should always be in line with the image you want to project. Some companies even go as far as having a brand identity handbook. This is something you may want to look at as well if you work with third party suppliers for your marketing needs on a regular basis.

Going into the nitty gritty of things, it is paramount that your content sounds human. What do we mean by this? Well, there are websites that sound and read like a robot; this makes your audience think twice—and not for the good reasons. This is manifested through copies, grammar, typography, etc. Disregarding this is a sign that you have not put in the time and due diligence into crafting how you want to portray your brand/company.

Your design should reflect your brand philosophy as well. There should be consistency all throughout. Stick to your brand colors, retain a familiar tone, and as much as possible, keep it relatable and simple. When the design clearly has someone in mind it is speaking to, it will be easier for your audience to understand your message.

Easy Navigation

A website that is easy to navigate speaks of good service to its visitors. If a customer cannot find their way to your product and/or services, how are they going to buy it? Also, a simple and easy to navigate site will encourage readers to browse more. Spending more time on your site increases the chances of them getting in touch with you and even purchasing from you.

In addition, the website should also be mobile-ready. This means that your site should be viewed pleasantly and conveniently across different devices. Otherwise, it will discourage audiences from viewing your site. Collaborate with your web design company to make your site mobile-ready.

In Summary

The cohesive design of your website, its features, and the message makes for an effective and profit-generating site. To make your site appealing to your target consumers, you need to invest and consider these factors:

  • Identify and focus on your unique selling proposition
  • Ensure completeness and coherence of your brand identity
  • Include only relevant and valuable content
  • Concentrate on simplicity and ease of navigation

Although these do not encompass the entire design process for your site, these are basic guidelines to get you to a good start.