Research shows that half of U.S. adults were using the internet in the year 2000. Now, nearly a decade later, nine out of ten U.S. adults use the internet. Are you a new business and in the process of setting up your website? Or maybe you’re considering revamping your current website? Wondering where to start and how to design a website? We got you covered in this guide. Keep reading to learn about 9 web design tips.
1. Website Loading Time Matters
When designing a website, the loading speed of your website matters. These days, users are looking for quick results. A delayed website loading time might make the difference between a user staying on your page or hitting the “back” button and finding another website.
According to Google, it takes on average 15 seconds for a mobile page to load.
The chance of a website bounce increases by 32% if the page load time goes from 1-3 seconds. However, the bounce rate chance increases by 106% if the load time goes from 1-6 seconds.
2. Key Content Should Be Above the Fold
Another consideration for website design is being aware of your content above the fold and below the fold. Research shows that websites are getting longer, and users are more likely to scroll vertically.
However, research also shows that users will focus more on information “above the fold.” Above the fold is the part of the screen where you don’t have to scroll down. Below the fold refers to the area where you have to scroll down to see.
Research shows that users spent nearly 57% of their page viewing time above the fold. What’s more, nearly 74% of the page viewing time was spent on the first two screens. That would be the screen above the fold, and the screen immediately below that.
What does this mean for your website? It means you should prioritize key content and call to actions (CTAs) above the fold.
3. Keep Your Design Simple
You want to design a website that is simple to navigate without distractions. One way to do this is to make sure the colors you use are easy to read and easy on the eyes. You should choose a color scheme that matches your brand.
Another design tip is to avoid cluttering or overstuffing your page. You don’t want a website that is distracting with multiple colors or features.
You should use white space to break up sections of your website and to make it easier for users to scan. You can also use visual cues to bring attention to important elements such as a contact form or the navigation bar.
4. Add a Blog
You can create content on your page in the form of blog posts. Blog posts that are optimized for SEO can help bring traffic to your website through online searches.
With blog posts, you have content that you can share on your social media pages. You can also add CTAs to your blog posts to get users to check out a product, sign up for your newsletter, or another action.
If you create relevant, interesting content, it can motivate users to stay on your website longer and look through your website.
5. Optimize for Mobile
Another important website design tip is to make your website mobile-friendly. It’s estimated the mobile commerce market will hit $284 billion in the United States. This would make up 45% of the online commerce market in America.
You want your website optimized for mobile so that you can reach the mobile commerce market. Your website should be easy to navigate whether it’s on a desktop, laptop, or mobile device.
6. Optimize for SEO
When designing your website, keep in mind SEO best practices. SEO stands for search engine optimization. By implementing SEO best practices, you can increase your chance of being ranked higher on a search engine page.
7. Use CTAs
A call to action, or a CTA, can help direct users toward taking an action on your website.
Your CTA will depend on what your goal is. For example, if you’re offering a free trial of your product, you can direct the user to sign up for your free trial. You can use visual cues to direct the user’s attention to the CTA.
If you have a blog, you can have CTAs at the end of the blog post to direct the reader to schedule an appointment, get a quote, or another action.
8. Make Navigation Easy
You want the website viewer to easily and quickly find what they’re looking for on your website. Your navigation should be intuitive and simple.
If a user is spending too much time trying to find your contact page or the pricing of your product, they might end up looking elsewhere.
For example, simple navigation includes your company’s logo at the top left screen which links back to the homepage. Another common navigation feature is the navigation menu having a horizontal layout.
9. Use the Right Images
Use images that are relevant to your website and content. You want the images you use to reflect your brand.
If possible, use original images. However, this doesn’t mean you have to avoid all stock images. You can use stock photos, but choose ones that look authentic and realistic.
Final Thoughts on Web Design Tips
The above web design tips can help you create an engaging website. Many times, your website may be the first impression that you make. You want your website to be a positive representation of your business and brand.
Are you ready for a new website design? You can hire a professional team to design your website.
Want to learn more? Contact us today for a free digital marketing evaluation.
