Ever found yourself in a digital snarl? Your browser will take you to an old-fashioned website after clicking on a cat video. Ads that pop up, fonts similar to warning labels and colours louder than my grandmother’s concert. What is it that makes a website so irresistible to visitors? additional info.
Imagine your website as a new, cool house. You website is the coolest house in town. Your site should have curb appeal. A clear layout will get you off to a great start. The clutter in your home can make it look like there are socks all over the place. Boxy layouts? Not a big fan. Make your content vital and fresh.
Imagine reading War and Peace on your mobile phone. Tough, right? A responsive website is required to fit the screen of your smartphone. The modern equivalent is fitted jeans. The pinch and zoom technique is similar to squinting at the sun.
Some websites load as quickly as dial-up connections. On the Internet, it’s difficult to wait. If your website is slowed down by high-resolution photos, you may want to reduce the size of these images. It’s all about compressing and optimizing your images. Faster load time equals happier visitors.
Your digital toolkit needs an upgrade: It’s now time to enter the mind of your target audience. Not literally. It’s important to understand what the other person is thinking. Imagine you are building a huge treehouse. You won’t be using grandma’s old antiques if it is for children. The same is true here. Specific (winks and winks!) about the content you are presenting.
Have you ever visited a site that is all flash and no substance? Style can be added to a cake. Sugar is not something that people will ever return to. Here is the true content. Although a design that is visually pleasing may catch your attention, the content and engagement will capture your heart. Let’s be real, let’s go deep, and don’t forget to have a good laugh when it suits you. Honey bears remember people who laugh.
Navigation on a site shouldn’t feel like Indiana Jones trying to locate his Ark. Maintain simplicity. A confusing menu is not liked by anyone. Don’t use illogical categories. Use logical categories.
What exactly is a “call to action”? Yes, most likely. It’s the special sauce, however, that really makes it work. The cheeky button that tells you to “Stop standing here and click me!” button is essential. Do not overdo it. Excessive CTAs will make you appear digitally as an old auto salesman. You need the right balance to walk on a tightrope over Niagara Falls. One step.
Fonts! Fonts! Keep them readable. Stilettos are the same as a non-practical, fancy font. Avoid fonts that are reminiscent of medieval scrolls. Choose fonts which reflect your brand.
Don’t forget to use your sticky footer. Place the details there so that you can access them easily. It is comforting to know that you can send someone a message quickly and without hassle. An open gesture from a neighbor on their porch can be a good way to begin a conversation.
A compelling website can be created by following the same principles as writing a story. The combination of visual elements, engaging content, and audience information creates a coherent whole. Remember that this is an age of pixels. It all starts when function meets form. Your web design should be as brilliant as a diamond that has been caught in the sunlight.