There are many dos and don’ts when it comes to web design. In order to create a website that looks great and functions well, it’s important to be aware of the basics. Here are thirteen dos and don’ts of web design to help you get started!
The Dos Of Website Design
1. Have A Clear Goal In Mind
Before you even begin designing your website, it’s important to have a clear idea of what your goal is.
Do you want visitors to purchase a certain product? Are you trying to drive traffic to an event page or encourage readership on a blog?
Establishing the purpose of your website upfront will help guide the design process and ensure that your layout and accompanying elements are optimized to meet that goal.
2. Make Navigation Easy To Use
Ease of navigation is essential for any website, as it makes it easier for visitors to find the information they’re looking for.
Keep menus simple and uncluttered while still providing enough options so people can explore different aspects of your website.
A good navigation will also make it easier to understand the structure of your website and guide users where they need to go.
3. Make It Mobile-Friendly
In today’s day and age, having a mobile-friendly website is no longer an option—it’s a necessity.
When designing your website, make sure the layout looks great on mobile devices as well as desktop computers.
This will ensure that anyone who visits your website has a positive user experience, regardless of the device they are using to access it.
To help make the process seamless, consider using a bug-tracking tool to help regulate broken code.
4. Use Simple & Clean Design
Sometimes less really is more. A cluttered web design with too many elements and competing colors will only overwhelm visitors and make them leave your website.
Stick to a simple, clean design that features a few basic colors and visuals. This will help create an aesthetically pleasing layout that also won’t slow down loading times or distract from the main purpose
5. Keep Everything Updated
Make sure to keep all of your content updated, from the text and images on each page to even small details such as contact information.
This will show visitors that you take pride in your website and are committed to providing them with the most accurate, up-to-date information.
6. Focus On The User Experience
The user experience should always be top of mind when designing a website. Ask yourself—if I were the visitor, what would I expect to find on this page?
How can I make it easier for them to take the desired action? Thinking about your visitors’ needs will help you create a more intuitive and enjoyable website design.
7. Stick To Standards
When it comes to web design, there are certain standards that should be adhered to.
This includes using alt tags for images, optimizing page titles and meta descriptions for SEO, and including a sitemap.
Following the accepted guidelines for website design will ensure that your visitors have an optimal experience when browsing your pages.
The Don’ts Of Website Design
1. Don’t Use Complex Designs
Just like with anything else, complicated designs can be a turnoff for website visitors.
Even if you think an intricate design will make your website look more impressive, remember that it could also result in a negative user experience due to the lengthy amount of time it might take for the page to load or simply from being messy and difficult to understand.
2. Don’t Be Afraid To Experiment
While there are accepted standards for website design, don’t be afraid to experiment with different layouts and styles.
Trying out new techniques can help you come up with creative solutions that set your website apart from the rest.
However, it’s important to remember not to go overboard—too much experimentation could lead to confusing or disorganized content.
3. Don’t Fall Behind The Times
Technology and trends are constantly changing, so it’s important to make sure your website doesn’t fall behind the times.
Regularly updating the design of your website and incorporating new features will help keep visitors engaged and interested in your content.
4. Don’t Forget Accessibility
Finally, it’s essential to make sure your website is accessible to all users. This means incorporating features such as closed captioning for videos, high contrast settings, and adjustable font sizes.
By making sure everyone can access your website, no matter their abilities or disabilities, you can ensure that every visitor has a great experience. Check out this guide on designing for accessibility here.
Conclusion
Designing a website can be tricky, but following these simple tips will help you create an attractive and user-friendly layout.
Remember to keep things updated, focus on the user experience, and stick to web design standards. And most importantly, always experiment with new ideas to find what works best for your website!
