Websites have come a long way since the World Wide Web was created in 1990. Not only are they essential features of a company’s branding, websites often function as the first point of contact for many customers. It is of no surprise that companies around the world have quickly adopted trendy widgets and dazzling visuals, so as to capture the customer’s attention. However, they do not always translate to effective website design.
Speaking as web designers, here are 5 secret tips that will help to make your website design better and more effective in the long run:
1. Simplify Navigation
One of the most overlooked aspects of a website design is the navigational structure. People can get easily frustrated when they are unable to find what they want. Often, many companies choose to flood their websites with long and complex details, burying key information that consumers actually want to see. Ensuring a simple, easy-to-understand drop down menu is often the first step in better organisation. Labeling content consistently is another way to improve readability. Most importantly, essential information about the company should be effortlessly searchable. Good graphic design and widgets complement – not overwhelm – these contents.
2. Engage in Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
In an era where hundreds of websites are created every minute, it has become increasingly difficult for a website to stand out. One way to circumvent this is to engage in Search Engine Optimisation (SEO). In essence, SEO is the process that help to drive traffic towards your website by increasing the website’s ranking on search engines (Google, Bing and Yahoo) This can be done through the clever use of keywords and tags in the texts, and appropriate hyperlinks to other pages of the website. Recruiting a website design specialist can aid you in maximizing its effectiveness.
3. Customise your website design for different platforms
In 2016, a survey revealed that mobile and tablet web usage overtook desktop for the first time. This trend looks likely to continue in the future, especially since the number of smart phones and tablets is projected to rise exponentially. It is now highly critical for companies to plan for accessibility and readability on multiple devices. Having a mobile-friendly website will ensure that awkward page sizes do not drive away customers.
4. Create and update a blog constantly
Company websites often run the risk of looking outdated, especially when there is nothing to update. One simple way to solve this problem is to create a blog. A regularly updated blog drives traffic towards the website, because search engines rank websites which have more activities higher. In turn, they direct these views towards clicks on the company’s product or service web pages. Furthermore, blogs help to deepen the connection between the company and its customers, allowing them to understand the company better.
5. Invest time in planning
A common misconception that companies make is to jump straight into developing content for the website. More often than not, companies end up wasting time and money trying to change the direction of their website design to suit their needs. Moreover, a messy, uncoordinated website design might leave a negative brand impression on customers. Instead, plan ahead and think of what the ultimate objective of your website is. Look at who makes up your primary target audience as well. Taking note of these considerations will result in far more effective use of your website design.
