In our digitally driven world, it’s no longer enough to merely have a website. You can’t simply create a webpage and call it a day. Instead, your site needs to provide a positive experience for users while driving traffic through search engine optimization.
That’s no easy task, but some business owners underestimate the work this will require. And because internet trends change so quickly, it’s essential that you stay on top of the web design best practices. Whether you’re planning to launch a brand new venture this year or you’re concerned that your current website isn’t serving your needs, here are a few dos and don’ts of site design you’ll want to keep in mind.
Do…
- Remember Mobile Users: Did you know that 48% of consumers begin their mobile search with a search engine? While that illustrates the importance of SEO, it also shows just how much the average consumer relies on their smartphone to receive information and to purchase products or services. Before too long, the majority of search traffic will come from mobile users — so it’s essential that you don’t forget them when you’re designing your site. You need to ensure that your website provides a consistent and positive experience when it’s being viewed on mobile. A responsive website design is the way to go here. Not only will this allow mobile users to easily interact with your site, but it will also signal to Google that you’re dedicated to excellent user experience.
- Have Streamlined Navigation: Regardless of the device being used to view your site, you need to make web navigation clear. If someone can’t figure out how to get to a specific page, they’re going to abandon the entire venture. They won’t spend more than a couple of seconds trying to find what they need. Don’t make it harder for them to purchase a product or to contact you! Make sure that your site navigation is obvious and that it doesn’t take more than a single click to get to the right page.
Don’t…
- Get Caught Up in Fancy Features: It’s easy to be seduced by flashy plugins and special features, particularly if you’re personally swayed by aesthetics. But while your site needs to look visually appealing, that isn’t more important than its functionality. If the actual performance of your site is taking a backseat to its artistic allure, you’re losing sight of the goal. Remember, your ultimate aim should be to convert leads! Although someone might be impressed by the unique design of your site at first, that isn’t necessarily what convinces a consumer to buy a product or service. Don’t sacrifice your site’s purpose for the sake of creativity.
- Try to DIY Web Design Services: One of the biggest mistakes business owners make is trying to handle their own web design services. Although there are platforms that might promise to make DIYing your website a piece of cake, the truth is that there’s no substitute for a reputable web design company in Naples FL. Web design services involve a lot of complexity — and if you don’t work with the professionals, you’ll be missing out on opportunities to optimize or to avoid a number of design issues. By investing in professional web design services, you’ll free up your time, gain peace of mind, and end up with a beautiful and functional site that helps your business grow.
Now that you’re familiar with some dos and dont’s of web design, it might be easier to identify the shortcomings of your own site. For more information on how we can take your site to the next level and allow your organization to thrive, please contact us today.
