Every company should know: Do's and don'ts for effective web designing

Designing a website for display on the internet is known as web design. It prioritizes providing an optimal user experience, distinguishing it from software development. Although web design previously concentrated on desktop browsers, it's now equally important to design for mobile and tablet browsers.

Web design is built upon several fundamental principles, each crucial in creating a visually appealing and user-friendly website. Let's explore layout, typography, colour, and imagery principles.

⇒ Layout: It refers to the arrangement of elements on a web page. It involves structuring content, navigation menus, text, buttons, images, and interactive features to create an organized design. For instance, Apple is renowned for its clean and minimalistic layout. Its product pages feature a harmonious arrangement of images, descriptions, and CTAs, providing an immersive and user-friendly experience.

⇒ Typography: It is the art and technique of selecting and arranging fonts, sizes, styles, and text spacing on your web page. It can affect the readability, legibility, and attractiveness of your text. For instance, Medium excels in typography. Its clean, readable fonts and ample white space create a pleasing reading experience, making it user-friendly and visually appealing.

⇒ Colour: Colour choice is a powerful tool in web design. It uses hues, shades, tints, and tones to create a visual effect on the web page. It conveys emotions, establishes brand identity, and guides users' attention. For instance, Coca-Cola is a prime example of the effective use of colour. Its signature red elicits strong brand recognition, and the contrasting white test ensures readability and user-friendliness.

⇒ Imagery: It uses graphics, photos, icons, illustrations, and animations to enhance the web page. Imagery can provide visual information, support your content, and create interest. Good imagery should be relevant, high-quality, and optimized for the web. For instance, National Geographic excels in imagery. Their stunning, captivating visuals transport visitors to different parts of the world, enhancing the user experience and making the website visually appealing.

You can elevate your client's online presence and engage users using the actionable tips below for a successful web design.

• Embrace responsive design: Today, where users access websites on various devices, responsive design is non-negotiable. Ensure the website adapts seamlessly to different screen sizes, including smartphones, tablets, and desktops.
  • Actionable tip: Use CSS media queries to create responsive layouts. Make sure your website is tested on various devices to guarantee it operates smoothly and has a visually appealing appearance.
• Streamline navigation: Navigation is the backbone of user experience. Simplify and optimize your website's navigation to help users find what they are looking for quickly.
  • Actionable tip: Use clear and concise menu labels. Implement a logical and hierarchical menu structure. Include a search bar for added convenience.
• Improve loading speed: A slow-loading website can deter users and negatively impact SEO. Speed is paramount for user satisfaction and search engine rankings.
  • Actionable tip: Compress images, use browser caching, and minimize HTTP requests. One way to improve website loading times is utilizing a CDN to distribute content based on geographic location.
• Prioritize mobile optimization: It is crucial to prioritize mobile optimization for websites due to the widespread use of smartphones. Offer your customers an exceptional user experience on mobile devices to keep it as a top priority.
  • Actionable tip: Opt for a mobile-first approach when designing. Use mobile-friendly fonts and tap targets, and test your website's mobile performance regularly.
• Optimize content for readability: Content is king, but it must be easily readable to engage users. Proper typography and content layout contribute to a better reading experience.
  • Actionable tip: Use legible fonts, appropriate font sizes, and line spacing. Break content into smaller paragraphs/sentences and use headers to create a clear hierarchy.
• Enhance visual appeal: A design captures attention and engages users. Balance aesthetics with functionality for an optimal user experience.
  • Actionable tip: Use high-quality images and graphics. Maintain a consistent colour scheme and typography throughout your site. Invest in professional design if possible.
• Implement clear CTAs: CTAs guide users toward desired actions, such as viewing the services or signing up for a newsletter. Well-designed CTAs are essential for conversion.
  • Actionable tip: Make CTAs visually distinct through colour and design. Use action-oriented language, such as Visit Us or Get Started. Place CTAs strategically on key pages.
• Test user experience: Make sure to frequently assess the user experience of your website in order to pinpoint any problematic areas and opportunities for enhancement.
  • Actionable tip: Conduct usability testing with real users to gather feedback. Analyze user behaviour with tools like Google Analytics to identify drop-off points.
• Ensure accessibility: It is vital for inclusive web design. Make sure your website is usable by people with disabilities.
  • Actionable tip: Follow WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards. Write alt text for images, provide keyboard navigation, and ensure screen reader compatibility.
• Monitor and iterate: Web design is an ongoing process. Continuously monitor your website's performance, gather user feedback, and make iterative improvements.
  • Actionable tip: It's useful to implement analytics and tracking tools to keep track of user behaviour. Additionally, gathering user feedback through surveys or contact forms can provide valuable insights. Be sure to review and update your website regularly based on the data and feedback collected.

For designing a website, it is essential to have a checklist of things to avoid and do to help web designers. Let's explore some of them!

A website is not just an online placeholder; in fact, it is a dynamic platform that can shape how the audience perceives your brand, interacts with the products or services, and ultimately converts into loyal customers. Enhancing the user experience and improving the business's profitability are major benefits of having a well-designed website. As you reflect on the insights this blog shares, critically examine your website. Ask yourself, "Is it living up to its full potential?" If you are ready to take your web design to the next level, consider seeking professional assistance.

Learn about our web design services to turn your vision into a stunning website.