There are ten basic elements of web design, and each one of these fundamentals contributes in its own way to the overall user experience. Therefore, you must make sure that a single element doesn’t let down the entire website.
Navigation
The website design should be easy to navigate and the menu items should be easily accessible from any page. The viewer should always know exactly where they are on the website and have easy access to where they would like to be. A site map is a great idea and will be used if available. This sounds elementary but most websites could be improved in this area. Remember, there is a fine line between an interactive menu and an annoying one, so functionality should be the idea.
Visual Design
Humans are visually oriented creatures, and utilizing great graphics is a good way to make your website more appealing. Your website has about 1/10th of a second to impress your visitor – and potential customers – and let them know that your website – and business (by proxy) – is trustworthy and professional. However, it’s important not to go overboard with too much. Scrolling text, animation, and flash intros should be used sparingly in your web design and only to emphasize a point for maximum effect.
Content
Content is King. This is the backbone of your website. Not only does your content play a major role in your search engine placement, but it is also the reason most visitors are seeking your website in the first place. Your website text should be informative, easy to read, and concise. Well, thought-out web content and a copy will do more than anything else to make your website design engaging, effective, and popular.
Web Friendly
No matter how informative, beautiful, and easy to use your website design is, it’s useless unless it’s web-friendly. It is important that you know the keys to making your website work on all the major browsers, that they utilize meta tags, and alt tags, and are fully versed in SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Many factors affect your search engine placement and the visual appearance of your site, so make sure your web designers know their stuff.
Interaction
A truly effective website design engages your visitors immediately and continues to hold their attention through EVERY page, as well as influences them to contact you. This is called ‘conversion’ and is probably your website’s ultimate goal. Again, there is a fine line between ʻinteractionʼ and ʻannoyanceʼ, so the level of interaction should never outweigh the benefit.
Information Accessibility
Not all visitors to your website are interested in or have the time to peruse the entire site. They may need to access only a phone number or address, or just a certain bit of info. For this reason, it is important to place key information in plain site, in an area that is easily accessible. We have all had the experience of not being able to locate some needed information on a website, and the result is always a frustrated visitor. The experience is annoying at best, and a disgruntled visitor wonʼt stay on your site very long and is unlikely not to return, much less do business with you.
Intuitiveness
A great website anticipates what your visitor is thinking and caters directly to their needs, and has elements arranged in a way that makes sense. If a visitor is searching for one of your products or services on a search engine or directory where your site is listed, it’s important that your website have a landing page that is directly relevant to what they searched for rather than forcing them to filter through all of your information. Remember, the shortest distance between two points is a straight line.
Branding
Your website should be a direct reflection of your business and your brand. Your visitor should immediately make a visual connection between your logo, print material, and brick-and-mortar location. A website that does this not only contributes to the memorability of your branding but adds a level of credibility and enhances the image of that of your overall business.
Turnaround Time
The number one complaint of website design customers is the time it takes to get the site up and running. Unfortunately, a firm that takes unusually long to complete your website is par for the course. The longer it takes to complete the website, the more business – and value – you lose. A website that isnʼt on the web isnʼt and working properly isn’t going to bring you any business!
Conversion
Your website can be the most important client generator your business can have, and must place the primary emphasis on bringing in new clients and making additional services available to existing clients through increased awareness of all the services you offer. Providing them with the tools they need to do business with you in an easy and enjoyable way will increase your website conversion and bring you the kind of success you seek.
Your website isn’t just there for show, it is there to help you generate leads, increase sales and grow your business so ensure your website engages with your visitors in the correct way.