24 Jul Tips for Designing Your Website
If you’re working on the design or redesign of your company’s website, here are some tips to create a more usable, effective site.
Don’t use animated graphics. So many companies think it’s impressive or cool to have moving graphics and fancy effects on their website. This is the website for your business. There should be no traveling words or exploding fireworks found on your site.
No crazy colors. You can incorporate your company’s logo and colors into your site, but it’s an absolute no-no to make it hard for your readers by using crazy color combinations because you think it looks good. If people can’t read your content, they will leave.
Two fonts maximum. Choose one font for headlines and another for body copy, and never mix them up. Also make sure they are web-safe. Not all fonts work equally well online. Note: If you are designing pages for mobile devices, you have even fewer font choices.
Present a clean layout. Just like your print ads, you want enough “white space” to avoid a cluttered, disorganized look. You don’t need your company’s entire 26-page brochure crammed into your website. Give people enough to make them want to call you.
Provide a contact form. Visitors must have an easy way to reach you. Don’t ask for too much info or that will turn them away. Stick to name, email, maybe phone number, and a comment.
Call to action. What is the purpose of your website? To get people to place orders online, to call you, to make appointments? Decide a clear goal and make it obvious for visitors to do the next step by providing a clear call to action on all pages.
Easy to share. If you want visitors to recommend or share your content, make it easy for them to do so with social plugins. The less work people have to do the more they are willing. If they see a “like”, “share” or “tweet” button on the page they just read they are more likely to pass it on to all their friends and colleagues.
What do you consider important on your company website? Share by commenting below!
