Everyone with a website daydreams of their site being the first one that pops up on a search engine results page. That sort of thing isn’t likely to happen overnight. After all, there’s a lot of competition out there and undoubtedly more than one website talking about the exact same thing you are.
There are ways you can help your site stand apart from the crowd. The design is crucial. You need a website people want to visit and that gives them the information they need. Read on for 5 tips for getting a better website design.
1. What’s your main goal?
If you do not have a clear idea of why you have a website and what you want it to do for you, you’re simply wasting your time. Your website’s main goal is the basis for the whole design. Use this goal to determine what information is pertinent to your target audience and what isn’t needed.
2. Invest in photography
The importance of professional photography as part of your overall website design cannot be overstated. Photographs instantly tell your visitors a story, and one that will stick with them. Quality photos properly presented will tell your target audience more about you, the products and services you offer and what your goals are.
The quality of images you use tells their own story, even if your visitors aren’t immediately aware of it. Think about it. When you see photos that are blurry, grainy, or not lit properly, that tells you something about the person or business using these photos: They don’t value quality. That’s not a message you want to give to your audience.
3. Declutter
Visitors to your website need to be able to absorb whatever message you are trying to convey. If visitors are constantly being distracted with graphics, wild fonts and crazy colors, they’re likely to leave your site for another with a clearer message.
Another way to keep your website clutter-free is to use short paragraphs. Five to six sentences per paragraph is plenty. This allows your target audience to quickly process your message.
4. Readable text
This may seem like a no-brainer, but too often websites are designed that are hard to read. Don’t let this happen to you. Stick to a universal font, sized no less than 11pt. Your font needs to be something that can be easily read across many devices. A good design should not just look good, but should be usable.
Also make sure the text has a good contrast against its background. Though it may seem a bit stale, black text on a white background is a clean, timeless way to go.
5. Easy navigation
The last thing you want your target audience to have to do is sit and figure out how to navigate your website. If it takes too much effort for visitors to find the information they need, they’ll probably leave your website altogether.
For intuitive navigation, the top of your home page should only contain navigation to pages that speak directly to your primary goals. The pages that are of lesser importance can be placed at the bottom of your home page.
A better website design equals a better user experience. These five tips will help you enhance your website and keep visitors coming back:
- focus on your main goal
- use quality photography
- declutter
- use text that can be read
- intuitive navigation
Remember, if your target audience is not getting what they need from your website, they’ll go somewhere else.
Ready to learn more? Let’s talk today and find focus for your website.
