Web Design Philosophies to Jumpstart Your Online Business

More than we actually realise, web design affects the way people perceive certain information presented to them. And as online business owners, it is usually through our website where our customers are first introduced to what we have to offer. A well-designed web page can be powerful – it can tease, it can persuade, it can ultimately manipulate. From the positioning of your banner title to choosing the right colour palette, there are underlying principles of design that everyone should know. Here are some of the best of them.

No wasted space

Remember that you are designing for your customers’ eyes and you have to make sure that you are catering to their needs. Every part or detail of your web page must serve the purpose it is intended for. You may include a side toolbar for quick navigation, a home button that is always accessible, or a text box for their comments or suggestions. Not only are you designing for aesthetic appeal, but you are also designing for functionality.

Visual hierarchy

Make one or two “centrepieces” on your web page where you want the viewer’s attention to be focused first and design them prominently by using size and colour. However, make sure not to overload this space just because you want it to be the focal point. The design and layout of your secondary information are just as important, as these should visually support or complement your centrepiece. This is a general principle of design that is applicable also to print media such as magazines, pull up banners and rollup banners.

Quick to load

People on the world wide web are often on-the-go and those who want instant results. You want to create a website that does not take too long to load, otherwise, you would have probably lost 50% of their attention before you’ve even begun. Do not overuse animations and graphics, as these are usually bulky in size. The bigger the file size is, the slower your web page will load. Among other factors that affect your website speed are unoptimised images, many HTTP requests, bulky codes, and JavaScript issues. You may have a consultant or hire your own graphic designer to know which objects consume too much space on your web page.

100% user-friendly

The use of grid layouts is one of the best ways to avoid visual clutter. This layout type gives the impression of content sectioning, which makes it so much easier for your viewers to navigate through your page. This is also ideal for viewing on mobile phones, where websites are really viewed from 60% of the time. Just keep in mind that while a grid layout may be the most optimal design, it is prone to monotony and is often associated with linearity. Make sure that you can still incorporate trendy or dynamic themes that appeal to different age groups.

Effective communication is the key to any marketing success. With your online business, the visuals and aesthetics of your web page are your first step to effective communication.