Great web design is essential when it comes to a successful website. Web design and optimization can increase signups and sales or cause visitors to engage in your content. The owner of the website should strive for clarity and consistency to get the best out of your website.
Finalizing on a great web design is one of the most challenging phases of any website development project. It is important that the web design, UI UX, User Journey etc. is in synchronization with the functionalities, it is user friendly and that same time communicates your marketing objectives to the audience.
A well-thought web design can impact your website positively and attract and retain traffic, but poorly thought web design and do just the opposite.
It takes just 3-5 seconds for your visitors to assess the website content, have an opinion, and decide if they want to stay to click that close button and leave. This is the harsh reality for which you need to plan your website design. Every visitor on your business website is a potential customer.
These simple website design and optimization tips can help you ensure your website design passes the blink test and bring and retain good traffic to your website.
Here are web design and optimization tips that are necessary for a positive response:
1. User-friendly Navigation
Keep navigation simple and consistent. Navigation is often the first place of interaction. Most people will click the first link they come, even before going to the next page. Carefully consider what the first link should be.
2. Strategic use of Headlines
Use hierarchy to organize headlines. Make the most important headline larger and more prominent than the rest. Keep the headlines short and precise to make the readers understand within 3 to 5 seconds. Also, make your headlines keyword-rich naturally.
3. Font, Colors, and Contrast
Pick two or three fonts and colors throughout the web page. Differentiate the sections of your website with contrast and separate them from the main content. Keep enough white space between sections, lines, copy, and headlines to show the separation of information and offers.
4. Proper use of Call-To-Action buttons
Call To Action buttons or CTAs are a part of any website or landing pages that encourage your website visitors to take the desired action. The objective of having CTA buttons on your website or landing page is to get your website visitor to click on it and complete a conversion. Here are some common examples of call-to-action buttons or CTAs:
- Add to cart buttons
- Free trial sign-up buttons
- Download buttons
- Subscribe buttons
- Contact Us buttons
- Try Our Free Trial
- Reserve Your Seat
- Download Whitepaper
It is important that you make the call-to-action buttons on your website prominent and clear. If you have multiple CTAs on one page, differentiate the secondary CTAs with a smaller font and different colors. The size and style of CTA buttons can vary depending on your goal conversion and your website UI UX. It is important to remember that your CTA buttons use action-packed text to motivate your website visitors to take an action. The text should be large and readable and the button shape should sync with your web design language. These CTA Buttons Tips can help maximize your click rate and website conversion.
5. Use of Forms on the Website
Collect a minimal amount of information with forms. Visitors are more likely to fill out a form if it’s short and to the point. You can collect more data after your visitor signs up.
6. Optimal use of Images
Use photos or illustrations to support the text on your site. When selecting an image consider how well it fits your brand. Unique, high-quality images create the best experience but make sure it does not slow down the site.
7. Website Footer Optimization
Anchor your website with the footer. Give visitors the ability to navigate anywhere on your site from the footer. It’s always a good idea to place social media links and contact information at the bottom of the page.
8. Making the Website Responsive
Google prioritizes sites that are mobile-friendly and adaptable. Design your website or use a template that adapts to every screen. Design your website with mobile-first approach. Make sure the layout responds perfectly to all types of devices. If you are not doing this, you are missing potential sales opportunities.
The rules above apply throughout a website on every page. Just remember to keep your website consistent.
The success of your website depends on whether you can achieve the purpose of your website. Your goal can be to have an official online presence like an informative brochure or to generate leads for your business or serve as an e-commerce site. Whatever the case may be, the most important thing you can do is have an answer and ensure that your website aligns with that goal.
8. Be Brief and Precise with Your Content
Short and clear headlines are critical to your website. Your copy must be concise and to the point. Brief and direct communication is the best way to attract, engage, and convert customers. When you break up the information, it’s easier for people to read and understand.
9. Make it About the Visitor
Your website should communicate how the customer will win or benefit by becoming a customer or client. Your website should provide the information your visitors are looking for and provide the solution to their problems.
10. Define a Path for Your Visitors to Nevigate
Help visitors on what to do by creating a clear path for them to take. Reduce the risk of the visitor getting lost or distracted by showing them the next step with buttons and clear navigation keys.
11. Consider the Impact of Advertisements
If you are considering the placement of an ad on your website, do it very carefully. Make sure it aligns with the goal of your website and does not drive people away.
12. Blog About it
Blogs are an extremely powerful tool for awareness and engagement. It assists in driving more traffic and helps to build a relationship with visitors.
13. Link to Social Media
Social media platforms are perfect for improving and maintaining relationships with visitors. Make sure they can easily connect with you on your social sites. You can also offer special promotions for subscribers and followers to keep them interested.
14. Search Engine Optimization
Search Engine Optimization is the process of modifying your site to boost the ranking of your website’s results returned by search engines to maximize traffic to your site.
Here are 10 tips for website optimization:
15. Keywords Search
Try to include keywords that people are looking up in search engines to lead them to your website.
16. Content
Figure out what your customers consider to be great and fill your site with it.
17. Locate Bounce Page
When people are entering your web, make sure they don’t come across a 404 error page. Know what is not working on your site so that you can immediately work on it.
18. Page Load Time
Make sure your site loads quickly in each browser type. If a page does not load quickly enough a visitor may leave the page. Your visitors expect your website to load really fast. How fast? Two seconds or less and after 3 seconds 40% will simply abandon your website.
19. Page Titles
The moderate use of keywords in page titles is good for SEO. Keep them short and informative so that search engines can easily figure out what the page is all about.
20. Optimize URLs
Use keywords in URLs as well to gain the trust of search engines. Keep it short and simple for better efficacy.
21. Header Tags
Occasionally add header tags but don’t overdo it. You can also place keywords in these tags.
22. Social Media Links
Keep your social media links visible, clear, and pointing to the right destination.
23. Internal Linking
Suggest links to other pages on your site on every page. This helps in SEO as well as navigation.
24. Outbound Linking
If you are referring to certain data points in your blog, remember to outbound to the source page or website.
These web design tips will be a good start to making your online presence more visible and user-friendly. Treat the above tips as a checklist and keep your strategy relevant and effective. To know more about web design and website optimization, visit www.digitalpresence.today.
