It is said people buy from those they “know, like and trust.” Your website is no different. It must be eye-catching and also feel familiar. Let’s break down the key components of what makes a solid website design.
Simplicity
The homepage needs to act as an initial pitch – quick and to the point. It should consist of small digestible bits of information for the user to gain a fast understanding of what you offer.
Simple navigation is also key. People will be quickly steered away from a site if they feel lost. It’s important that they can find exactly what they’re looking for from your service within a few clicks. The main header navigation should rarely if ever go beyond 7 links. Fewer header links help with responsive design, so as the browser window gets smaller there is still room for the navigation.
Typography
Proper use of typography can aid in organization of content. This consists of using heading tags, lead paragraphs, and block quotes. Not only is this better aesthetically, but it help search engines pick out key words related to your business, making it easier for users to find.
Responsive Design
According to GoMoNews.com, twenty five percent of Americans use only mobile devices to access the internet. If your site isn’t formatted properly for mobile, then you’re missing out. A responsive website can adjust to various screen sizes without sacrificing design and legibility. When reduced to a mobile phone size, menus can collapse into what has been nicknamed “the hamburger” icon. Tapping this icon will reveal the websites navigation in a list format.
Quality Images
In addition to various screen sizes, screen resolutions are now impressively sharp. Crisp images are another way to draw people in. It’s important to have not only good graphics, but they must be formatted properly for the web so they download quickly.
The types of images you choose also say a lot about your business. It’s good practice to be selective about photography. If you’re using stock photos, avoid anything that appears “staged”, they should appear genuine. They should also be relevant to the copy they are paired with.
Well-written copy
This is the heart of your website. It needs to speak to your target audience. Let’s say you provide financial services. Your content can go into detail about your process and what it is you offer. Talking about the history of your business can help build accreditation, as well as testimonials from past clients. Also be aware of some of the words used, as google will use these as keywords when people search for businesses like yours.
Blogging is a great way to ramp up the amount of keywords and go into greater detail about what you do. When people read your blog posts, they can share them with others across many platforms, primarily social media. This is a great way to draw traffic from outside resources. Picking current events in your line of work will also get people’s attention.
You know how great your business is, and your website should reflect that. A well-designed and organized site can help you reach clients in a whole new way.