Creating a website design with the perfect combination of visuals and functionality can be a delicate balancing act. Get it right, and you’ll make a great first impression on your audience, and encourage your users to explore your site. This guide from our digital marketing experts will help you create an eye-catching website design that will engage your users from the moment they arrive right until they get in touch with you.
Start with a Compelling Homepage Design.
Your homepage is the first thing visitors will see, so it’s important to make the right impression from the moment they land on your website. We want to keep your audience engaging and searching for the information they came to find.
The key design considerations for a successful website home page design are the structure of the information presented, high-quality images, logos and graphics and clear brand messaging.
Ensure you are using the right visual brand assets such as logo variations that are fit for purpose (get the correct version from your graphic designer). Use a combination of high-quality (but correctly optimised) images and bespoke graphic elements to illustrate your organisation’s key messages. Use contrast and whitespace to create easy-to-consume pockets of information. Most importantly of all, ensure your messaging is on brand, designed for your audience and clear on what action the user should do next on your website.
Simplify your Navigation Structure to Enhance the User Experience of your Website Design.
Simplicity is key when it comes to creating an effective website design. The ease of use is what we describe in the business as ‘User Experience’ or UX for short.
Creating a well thought out and simple navigation structure will help your visitors find the information they need on your site quickly and easily. Before getting started – there is a considered planning approach required to make sure you’re creating a logical site structure. At Grahn Creative, usability for your audience is a key design consideration that we apply to every project in the planning stages. For more information on our website design process – click here.
If you are tasked with maintaining your organisation’s website, remember to organize your pages into categories, prioritising important content, so your audience can easily find what they’re looking for without having to dig too deep. Too many drop-down menus or tabs can be overwhelming and make it difficult for users to find what they’re looking for. Limiting the number of menus on your website design, which will help streamline navigation and create a more enjoyable user experience.
Use Your Branding Consistently.
Your website is a direct reflection of your brand, so make sure all aspects of it align with your overall brand message. This is not limited to your brand colours and logo but the messaging you communicate as well. Ensure your font selection is in line with your established branding. It’s worth noting though, that web fonts do have some limitations and uploading a bespoke brand font to your website might render differently across different browsers and devices.
In all aspects of your website design, we are trying to create a consistent experience for your brand so it’s easily recognisable through every interaction. This helps encourage visitor recognition and trust—building crucial components for website design success.
Establish a Visual Hierarchy in your Website Design.
Visual hierarchy is the term used to describe the importance of each piece of information on your website (or any designed piece of content). To keep visitors engaged and paying attention to important content on your website, establish a visual hierarchy by using different shades, font sizes, and colours to create a clear path for the user’s eye. This way, the user will easily know which text block is more important than the others. Start by ensuring that the most important messaging is included at the top of the page, increasing the likelihood of your audience reading the information. Keep in mind that incorporating your keywords in the first written elements is also an important aspect for SEO purposes.
Why White Space Matters in Good Design.
When it comes to website design, white space is your best friend! Strategically using whitespace to separate sections of your web page will help make it easier for viewers to interpret content and navigate around your website. It can also draw attention to certain elements on the page, such as buttons and calls-to-action. Additionally, white space allows for breathing room for your user which helps create a fuss-free UX experience while navigating around your website. We don’t want to overwhelm your audience with information. We want your message to be clear, concise and easily understood – white space is an essential part of the website design process which should not be overlooked.
Make the Most of Color and Contrast.
In the same aspect as white space, the use of colour is one of the most powerful tools for an effective website design. Not only does it help solidify your brand but using colours that are complementary and paired with plenty of whitespaces, ensures visitors’ eyes aren’t overwhelmed by the content presented before them.
Make sure the colors you choose stand out but don’t distract from your website’s main message. Remember that high contrast between text and backgrounds can also be very effective in helping draw attention to the right pieces of content as well as assisting in accessibility for people with colour blindness to ensure your message is able to be read by all members of your audience.
Avoid Clutter and Too Many Graphics.
Although it might seem like adding too many graphics and visuals to your website design would liven up the layout (the designer’s least favourite term – jazz it up!), it can actually be very overwhelming for the audience. Too much clutter on a web page detracts from your website’s primary content. Stick with minimalism; this is key to creating a user-friendly and enjoyable experience when visiting your site. Limit the number of graphics you use in each section, choosing ones that are high quality, relevant and optimized for all types of screens.
To sum it up, making a website that’s easy to use and keeps people engaged is the key to communicating with your intended audience. This is the definition of creating a user-friendly website design. Remember to keep things simple, but make sure it’s a considered process, that your website is designed and built with intention and that your audience’s needs are at the forefront of every website design decision you undertake. If you need support or direction in your website design process – get in touch.