If you are building or designing a website for your business, you would do best to follow some basic, simple rules in order to make it both effective and fit-for-purpose.
Whatever they are promoting or selling, websites should serve one main purpose – to drive your visitors to buy your products or services. In order to do this, they should, above all, be simple, straightforward, and easy to use and navigate.
Keep it simple
Overcomplicated websites, with dozens of images, videos and hundreds of words to read, not only take ages to load but also put off potential customers. No one wants to have to plough through tons of unnecessary information and visual content when trying to search for something; equally, people are put off from taking action when they can’t find the place to do it.
According to Smashing Magazine, web users are impatient and insist on instant gratification. If they can’t find what they’re looking for on your website, they’ll quickly go elsewhere.
If you struggle with designing your website and need the professionals to take a look, you could try a Web Design Maidstone company who will be able to help with all your web design needs.
If you still want to do it yourself, here are a few pointers to give you a head-start:
Minimalism is key
If complex puts people off, minimalism attracts, yes? Yes – up to a point.
The idea should be to keep it simple – the fewer clicks a customer needs to take in order to complete an action, the better, as everyone is pushed for time these days.
Experts in the field say your website should have plenty of white space, which helps create readability. But don’t overdo it, as this will make it look sparse.
When using colour, stick with a small palette – link the colours to your branding, if you can – and don’t create unpleasant clashes, which will distract and turn visitors off.
Be balanced
Aim for balance in both your colouring and your layout. For instance, it is well known that people are attracted to symmetry, so try to make your website symmetrical.
In addition, you should simplify all navigation. It should be blatantly obvious where to click to achieve every action – for instance, have a simple Buy Here button. Simplicity will pay off, and help you build a client base.