In any field of work where the performance of what is being created is important, there will be some core principles that should be followed. This applies whether the creation is an office block, a cruise ship, a piece of software, or a website. Given the title of this post, you will not be surprised that we are going to focus on the last of those examples and in particular some of the core principles that need to be followed for effective web design.
With all the templates and website building tools available, it could be said that anyone can build a website. However, what cannot be so easily stated is that everyone can build an effective website that performs and produces the results its owner is looking for. The reason is that truly high-quality web design is based upon several core principles known only to web design professionals, at least they were until now.
We say that because outlined below are some of the most important web design principles and, if included in any website you create, should ensure it generates results. Even if you are employing a web design agency to build your website, by knowing these web design principles you can ensure the website they design for you meets the necessary criteria.
Plan Your Web Design Effectively: We include this first, not only as it is the first step to great web design but because it is the foundation of them. Effective planning allows you and your web design team to ensure that nothing is missed, problems are resolved before they occur and that you have a timeframe for its completion.
Your Website Must Be User-Friendly: A close second in terms of importance is making your website user friendly. This is key not just for the benefit of those who visit your website, but because user experience sits at the heart of much of how Google evaluates the ranking position of websites.
Your Web Design Should Be Consistent: Websites that look entirely different on every page do not sit well with visitors as they become confused. You can avoid this happening to your visitors by having a consistent theme through your website including branding, fonts, colours, and page layouts.
Be Conscious Of Text Lengths: Whilst having lots of excellent content is great, be wary of making your website look like an online version of “War and Peace”. In other words, no large blocks of text that put visitors off reading them. Instead, break texts down so they have two or three sentences only.
Seek Quality In Every Piece Of Content: With quality content, we are not just talking about how good your written content is but extending that to your images, graphics, audio, and videos. Nothing should be published on your website until you are satisfied that it is the best that you can make it.
Avoid Using Large Files: Given that page load speed impacts, not just user experience but also rankings, you can address this issue by not having large files within your web design. Tips to help include using caching, minimising image file sizes, and embedding videos.
Have Clear Calls To Action: Assuming you want your website visitors to move towards becoming paying customers, you need to have crystal clear calls to action within your web design. Whether it be completing a quotation form, calling you by telephone, or entering their email, make sure they know what it is you want them to do.