If you started a business, you probably know that having a website is a must in today’s competitive market. But it is not just about having a website, it’s about having a great one.
Your page’s design has to be clean but interesting to catch people’s attention. Read on to learn about the key elements of web design for your business.
It’s All About First Impressions
First impressions last a lifetime. You don’t want a customer’s first impression of your business to be that you’re the one with the useless website.
When designing a website, keep in mind what your customers will see first. Think about what will be interesting about your home page. Your website says a lot about your business, so keep that in mind when choosing the colors and general layout.
An outdated page that is difficult to navigate will make customers think that doing business with you is difficult. You want to create an inviting atmosphere that lets people know you know what you’re doing.
But it’s not all about a pretty design. You want your customers to know exactly what your business is about when they click on your site. Being intentional and precise will help you expand your business.
Often times, people do not want to spend a lot of time looking for the search button or general menu. If your business is a restaurant, chances are people are on your site to look for the menu or business hours. Make sure these things are easily accessible.
Organize tabs like contact information, directions, and hours of operation in neat tabs that are easy to read. Be sure to keep your information constantly updated. For example, if you change emails or close earlier on holidays, keep your customers posted.
It Helps Your Business Grow
If you’re a small business, you need all the exposure you can get to keep up with competitors. Having an interesting website lets you stand out.
If you’re trying to develop a brand, having a strong website that supports your brand identity will make your business grow.
Consistency throughout the site is key to maintaining your image. One of the first things you develop when starting your business is your logo. When building your website, make sure to feature the logo in all key pages.
Your logo is a visual aid to customers that sparks recognition. When customers see your logo, they should know what business you’re in. Incorporate your logo onto your menus, services page, and any other relevant pages. That way, your customers will easily remember your brand.
Your website can also alleviate a lot of customer support stress. Consider incorporating a “frequently asked questions” tab where you can detail important information that customers want to know.
Sometimes, people will stumble upon your business and want to connect after business hours. If you can answer their questions through the information provided, that’s one less customer you’ll lose.
Keep Things Relatively Simple
Remember that as your business grows and transforms, your website will likely change too. Building a simple foundation for the site that welcomes change is key to keeping it up to date.
You’ll likely be adding products or changing descriptions all the time. If your website looks great but is difficult to update, you’ll probably be spending a lot of precious time trying to change it.
Effective web design also keeps in mind mobile use. In today’s world, chances are most people will be looking at your website through their phones. Make sure you keep the mobile version of your site simple and user-friendly.
Avoid adding too many add ons, like tons of videos and large-sized photos that will make the site run slower. Use colors intentionally and don’t overdo it.
Choosing the right fonts and sizes can make all the difference as well. If you have multiple fonts, make sure they complement each other and are easy to read.
It Can Take You Beyond Your Product
A stunning website allows you to have business information accessible all in one place. But it also lets you tell your story.
Customers like to connect to the brands they wear or use, and giving them a little bit of backstory on your business goes a long way. They want to feel like they are buying from a good source, or at least doing business with someone they know.
By having an “about” section, you can expand on what your business is all about. You can keep things visual by adding a video element, or a gallery of photos that show your progress.
If your business is involved in community building, your website is a great place to showcase the work you’ve done. This can also lead to a whole new audience and customer base that you didn’t have before.
Consider asking your customers for feedback regarding both your services and the website. After all, they are the ones navigating the site to find what they need. This may help connect you more to your customers by listening to what they think could improve.
If there’s a bug on one of the tabs or a certain page is crashing, you’ll want to know about it sooner than later.
Key Elements of Web Design
Effective elements of web design can take your business to a whole new level. But it is an ongoing process that needs to be worked on, just like your business model.
For more tips and tricks on how to expand your business, check out our page.
