If you’ve ever been in the position of setting up a new website (which, in this modern digital age you definitely have), then you very well know how daunting it can be. While you may need to hire some experts (ahem.., yours truly) to do the designing part, you may be able to get away by putting together your own website if your needs are pretty minimal.
But the question is, where and how to start? You know the kind of information you intend to share and also possess a general idea of the direction, but to lay it out for the masses? Admit it, we’ve all come across jumbled, confusing websites before—which are not pleasant at all! Now thanks to Google, we can ignore those sites—which means yours too has a chance to get lost in the pack. website design
But with some simple tips, you can escape that fate!
Keep It Simple, Stupid
The simpler your design, the better your site. Having a simple aesthetic makes it easy for you to update your site, and you can also keep the content fresh. It also helps your customers and readers to track the changes with ease.
Keep It Professional
Thanks to platforms like WordPress and HubSpot, there is absolutely no reason for a site to look anything like GeoCities of yore. Your design doesn’t need to be stunning, but it does need to look clean and crisp. You wouldn’t go to an interview after a long night, and your site shouldn’t either.
Regular Updates
It’s one thing to have a great website running, but Google won’t care much about your content if the content never changes. A huge part of working with the internet is about keeping things up to date. Blog posts, new pages or even some new copy for your front page can refresh the old design and in turn, get you in the good books of search engines.
Relevant, Consistent Content
While the visual layout and color scheme add to the user experience, content is definitely the most important part of the design. No one appreciates a website that looks amazing but does nothing. Keep that in mind while you’re creating content.
(Over) Use of Graphics
The web is a multimedia experience. YouTube and Facebook are proof enough that people crave multiple forms of media. Use quality graphics that not only suit your content but also look and feel native. You can shoehorn images in, but you won’t be taken seriously if you don’t. Keep these details in mind when designing your site.
Standing Out
Apart from simplicity and efficiency, the biggest challenge of design is to stand out. If your website seems like aping another, you’ll be seen as a copycat of their design (and dismissed accordingly). While it’s ok to lift certain elements from others (as fashion designers tend to liberally borrow from each other), your design has to have your stamp. Strive to be unique!
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