In this digital age, it’s a prudent move for many businesses to make an effort to have some kind of online presence. Thanks to the internet, it’s easier than ever to reach out to new and old customers and give yourself more reach. However, this is a game that every business plays, and would-be customers have perhaps thousands of websites to choose from. If your aim is to outdo the competition and build trust with your customers, a small online presence won’t cut it. Web design is one of your most reliable tools for making a name for yourself online and reaching your clients in a way that matters.
What Is Web Design
To understand what web design is all about, you need to start with what web design actually is. In a nutshell, web design is the process of creating a website and pages to reflect a company’s brand and information, and create a user-friendly experience for visitors to that site. Web design is typically associated with the user experience element of website development rather than software development.
The central factor in any web design is the user experience. A well-designed website is built in such a way as to be easy for your visitors to navigate and use. Website design essentially works on every attribute that visitors interact with. When done well, your site should look simple and efficient, enable visitors to find what they want quickly and look visually appealing all at the same time.
What Do Web Designers Do?
At its heart, web design is all about identifying a website’s or page’s goal and promoting accessibility for all potential users. Ultimately, this is the job of the web designers. To do this job, web designers typically organize content and images across web pages and interactive elements to make those pages easy to use and navigate. Some of the duties of a web designer include:
- Selecting easy-to-read fonts
- Choosing attractive colour schemes that synergize with those fonts
- Implementing brand identity into the colours and fonts
- Making optimized versions of the web pages for desktops and mobile viewing
Key Benefits of Excellent Web Design
Good web design is key to speaking to your audience. Your site speaks volumes about what kind of business you are and what you have to offer your clients. With that in mind, it pays to invest in good web design to make sure you’re presenting yourself appropriately to your visitors. Some more concrete benefits of good web design include:
- An impactful first impressionIt’s always a good idea to make a good first impression, and that’s as true of your website as it is of people. As many as 94% of first impressions are related to your site’s web design, making it an element you must pay attention to. For brands, the first impression visitors have of your site plays a major role in how they view your brand as a whole. Your site represents your brand, and a well-designed site is a powerful tool for making that compelling first impression.
- Better Google rankingsA well-designed website also plays a major role in your SEO strategy. SEO is particularly beneficial for small businesses, so keep in mind how your site can be made to serve your SEO needs. Many of the elements web design is concerned with are key to improving your visibility on relevant search results. Elements like readability, mobile-friendliness, and website speed are exactly what search engines are looking for in terms of quality content.
- Brand consistencyAll the little details matter when it comes to making a memorable brand that sticks in the minds of your clients. Strong branding is key for small businesses; your logo, colour scheme, and fonts are excellent tools for making your business more memorable and differentiating you from your competitors. Quality web design takes all those unique aspects of your business and includes them in your site to add to your brand credibility and create a sense of consistency.
Web design is a must for any business, especially if you’re seriously considering investing in your online presence. In this increasingly digital world, it’s not enough to have a website. It must also be well-designed to make a positive impression on your customers. Web design is your key to that well-designed website. Consider giving your site a makeover to make visits easier on your visitors and give them a positive experience to encourage them to keep coming back.