One thing you’ll find in abundance on the internet is web design tips. A substantial number of people have their own ideas about what makes the perfect website. This is because there is a certain level of subjectivity involved—what one person may like, another may not.
Despite that, web design is undoubtedly one of the most important aspects of a website and its success. More than 50% of web users say that the design of a site is what they use to determine a company’s credibility. As a by-product, it also affects bounce rates, sales, and other key metrics.
The best approach is to tackle web design from a more objective perspective. To do that, you need access to the right information—this is where this article comes in. Many of these ideas and tips are backed by research. So stop relying on intuition and start applying design elements that are proven to work.
1. Keep it Simple
When it comes to web design, adopting a “less is more” philosophy is best. Research shows that most users dislike visually complex websites. Simply put, the more complex a web design, the less aesthetically pleasing it is perceived to be.
So what does this mean for your website? Here are a few key considerations:
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Reconsider your sidebar: Many websites are moving away from using sidebars entirely, opting instead for a single-column layout. This reduces distractions and allows visitors to focus on the most important elements.
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Use a streamlined layout: People prefer familiarity and may be put off by unconventional website designs. Sticking to established design principles ensures a better user experience. If you want to stand out, there are other ways to do so without overcomplicating the layout.
2. Choosing Your Colour Scheme
Colour plays a crucial role in web design. The colours you choose will become strongly associated with your brand, so take the time to select them carefully. Well-marketed websites often have a distinct colour palette that makes them instantly recognisable.
When choosing a colour scheme, consider your website’s purpose. If you sell children’s toys, for example, you might want to avoid darker colours like grey and black. If it’s a personal website, you have more creative freedom in your choices.
3. Make the Website Searchable
A website serves little purpose if people can’t find it. Whether your site showcases products, offers services, or serves another function, ensuring its visibility is essential.
While pay-per-click (PPC) advertising can drive visitors to your site, optimising your content for search engines (SEO) is a cost-effective way to attract organic traffic. Implementing SEO best practices will help your site rank higher on search engines such as Google, Bing, and Yahoo.
4. Use a Responsive Design
People access websites on various devices, each with different screen sizes. No matter what device a visitor is using, their experience should remain consistent. Instead of focusing on complex animations or hover effects that may not work across all devices, prioritise user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) improvements.
A responsive design ensures that your website functions optimally on both mobile and desktop devices. There is a wealth of information available on responsive design, so it’s worth exploring further.
5. Keep Your Typography Consistent
When reading a book, we expect consistent formatting—text should have the same font size, spacing, and layout throughout. This consistency keeps readers engaged and creates a seamless experience.
The same principle applies to websites. Your typography should maintain a uniform style across body text, headings, links, and other text elements. Factors such as font size, colour, padding, line spacing, and font weight should be consistent throughout your site.
Creating a universal style guide for your website helps achieve this. Several tools and plugins can assist with typography consistency, so it’s worth exploring your options. Maintaining a uniform style enhances user experience and can positively impact engagement.
6. Utilise Social Proof
This tip is rooted in conformity bias—the psychological tendency for people to follow the actions of others. If a large number of people endorse something, others are more likely to trust it too.
You can leverage this by incorporating social proof into your website. If visitors see positive feedback from others—whether through testimonials, social media shares, or media mentions—they are more likely to perceive your site favourably.
There are many ways to implement social proof, so take the time to explore the best approach for your website.
7. Get Feedback
No matter what you pursue, feedback is crucial for growth and improvement. While criticism may not always be pleasant, it helps refine your web design skills and enhance user experience.
There are multiple ways to gather feedback, from using online review services to adding a comment box where visitors can share their thoughts. By listening to user feedback, you can make meaningful improvements to your website.
About the Author
Uchenna Ani-Okoye is a former IT Manager who now runs his own computer support website, Compuchenna.
