5 Tips For Great Website Design

Written by Chris Coombes on April 19, 2022

Parallax scrolling. Micro-interactions. Scavenger hunts… Website design trends come and go, and there are some great ways to add pizzazz to your online presence. But if you want to create a website that combines ease of use for your visitors with some outside-the-box innovation, here are five evergreen web design tips you need.

Why your website needs (re)designing

Your website is often the first point of contact between you and your customers. So it’s vital to  choose an overall look and feel that reflects your business and branding. Makes sense, right?

But engaging with users goes beyond aesthetics — it's about getting the right balance between messaging and content, imagery and usability. Your fonts and colours may be on point, but if your links are broken and your content is outdated, those customers won't be back for a second visit. 

Simple is super

Who wants to deal with a site that's hard work? Nobody! So in terms of your web design, that means simplifying everything from the colours you use to the forms and buttons you place on the page. But, of course, your primary goal is to communicate with your audience, so make that process simple.

It's all about staying clutter-free and using the perfect website layout with a clear hierarchy. First, you need to add weight to your business name, logo, and all-important call to action. Then, establishing a clear breadcrumb trail means your visitors can't help but follow.

Keep your site minimalist and data-light. Then add vivid imagery, soothing colours, and clear messaging to entice your viewers to engage. Looks might not be everything, but 90% of information received by the brain is visual. So using high-quality, relevant visuals will connect with viewers on a deeper level.

Create an inclusive user experience 

Share, don't tell. You want your users to connect with your brand. So you need to inspire them with messaging that makes your site a standout. One way to create a highly tactile web design experience is through interactive features like animations and personalisations.

Your interactions can be as detailed and sophisticated as you like. Just as long as they're easy to digest and highly noticeable. For example, don't underestimate the chance to offer personalisation through simple actions like changing colours and buttons. And when you want to grab people's attention or simplify a complex concept, nothing succeeds like animation.

Focus on readability

Can visitors effortlessly skim read your content? Readable website design focuses on concepts of clarity, comfort and inclusivity. Surprisingly, it's easy to achieve if you follow these basic rules:

Contrast is critical

Contrast between the background and text colours is essential for readability and accessibility. If your brand colours don't support sufficient contrast, tweak them to achieve the right balance.

Choice of fonts

Simple san serif fonts like Arial are best for large chunks of text but don't rule out more decorative display fonts. These can have a real impact but use them sparingly. And stick to no more than three fonts, otherwise, your site can look cluttered and confused.

Size matters

No one wants to squint to read your website. Set body text at a minimum of 16pt to enhance clarity and eliminate the need for a magnifying glass.

Use text themes

If you want to capture the reader's attention, use a clear hierarchy for your content. For example, use different sizes and weights of text, from large headings to smaller subheadings and then even smaller body text.

Experience easy navigation

A whopping 94% of consumers say a website should be easy to navigate. Successful sites don't break the mould. They just make the mould really easy to use. But smooth navigation doesn't just benefit your audience. The longer your viewers spend on your site, the higher your potential conversion rate. 

Creating easy navigation is a breeze if you follow a few simple steps:

  • Create a homepage link through your logo
  • Add vertical navigation with anchor menus or a 'back to the top' button
  • Make your menus stand out – whether they're drop-down or hamburger-style, they should be easy to find
  • Don't forget your footer – use it to group your important links, including contact info and social media details

Be adaptable

Did you know that an astonishing 98% of Gen Z use smartphones? Your future customers are growing up with the expectation that they can access the content they want, whenever they want. And if you're not using adaptive website design, you're not keeping up.

Now that Google uses mobile-first indexing by default, your mobile site gets crawled for indexing and ranking. Make the mobile experience slick, streamlined, and packed with mobile adapted features. Then it's easy for your customers to stick around and your site to get a ranking boost.

Successful web design starts here

Behind every great website design is a fabulous team of full-service creatives. At Nettl Exeter, we're your secret weapon when it comes to growing your digital presence, so call, email or message us today!

The End.
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