Is your website a source of pride? Before you answer, think of it this way: when you tell a customer to visit your website, are you proud at of? what they’ll find? Or do you secretly hope they don’t visit and keep their information gathering to in-person and phone communications?
Simply having a website used to be the standard with which to gauge a company’s aptitude. That’s in the past. Now it’s all about great website design—the aesthetic, readability, and professionalism. If you’re not 100% sure that your website is designed as beautifully, efficiently, and innovatively as possible, read on.
What are the principles of a well-designed website?
We could probably prattle off dozens of our design team’s
strong-held beliefs about the principles of great design. But for the sake of
time (we know you’ve got a business to run), we’ve narrowed it down to these:
Aesthetically pleasing—and branded—experience: Are the images fitting to your company? Do they look modern? Is there a color scheme? Does it flow naturally in an uncluttered, yet comprehensive way? How about the menu—does the layout make sense? If you’re unsure, these are all answers a solid graphic designer (like ours) can answer for you. Website design is a rare occasion that you can actually judge a book—or a company—by its cover. And trust us—customers do.
Clear value proposition: Your online visitor should know within a few moments what it is you’re bringing to the table. Your website design—through images, copy, and overall aesthetics—should speak to the benefits of your company’s product or services, not just the prices and specs. Solid calls to action as well as your company’s strengths and capabilities should also be woven throughout the copy and design.
What must a website have to compete with competitors?
There are a several non-negotiables that every website must
have to compete and survive in today’s market.
Strong branding elements: Your logo, color palette, and additional graphic representations of the brand should be front and center.
Mobile-friendly design: If your website isn’t optimized for mobile, you’re missing out on the majority of your visitors. It must be scrollable, readable, and scaled perfectly for the smartphones we so frequently clutch.
Expertly written and edited copy: Professionalism is key. That’s why you should always have a professional provide marketing-driven (and typo-free) copy for every page.
Calls to action: With a button or through copy, all roads should lead the visitor to contact you or make a purchase.
Media: Professional and customized photography and videography are highly recommended. Stock photography is an option, but we recommend having a graphic design professional help you select the best fit.
Clear navigation: Make it easy on your readers by having a clear menu and navigation. If you’re not sure where to start, ask a designer to create a site map to make it clear.
What’s next?
If you feel like you have more questions than answers, that’s okay! This article’s intent was to get you thinking about your own website’s design and how hard it’s working for you. Whether you have a brand-new website or you’re still rocking a vintage 2002 edition, contact us. Our design team and content creator will happily take a look and provide recommendations to improve your website’s look, professionalism, and functionality. With your organizational knowledge and our marketing expertise, we can elevate your website to be just as awesome as the company you’ve built.