Mar 18, 2024
What would you say is the most important aspect of a website design? Most people will talk about the visual elements. Eye-catching designs, vibrant graphics, bold colors. However, while those have an important role, an experienced website builder in Knoxville, TN, will tell you that user experience and functionality are often far more important. It is these features that can make or break your website. You can have the most aesthetically pleasing design possible, but if your visitors need help navigating it effectively, it might as well not exist! With that in mind, let's take a look at some of the principles of a great website design.
As a website builder in Knoxville, TN, we have learned that one of the core elements of producing excellent websites is understanding how internet users will interact with the website. It is important to consider the human behaviors that drive those interactions. For example, most website visitors will take a glimpse at the page they land on and scan it quickly to determine if it is what they are looking for. The majority will look for a useful or clickable feature immediately. They don't read web pages in-depth. Instead, they will scan them for relevant or useful information, so it is important to design your content to be scannable. It is also important that your content is of good quality and backed by credible sources. This is also something that Google's Search algorithm values, so it is a big win in terms of satisfying both man and machine! Understanding these types of behaviors allows a website builder in Knoxville, TN, to shape a fantastic website that looks great and is also user-friendly.
One of the first rules of website design is that navigating it should be evident and self-explanatory. A website builder in Knoxville, TN, should remove the need for conscious decision-making, allowing visitors to navigate through the website intuitively. That means the designer has to do the thinking! Carefully plan the website's structure and incorporate visual clues and easily recognizable clicks so visitors can get from A to B in as few steps as possible!
One thing that is true of almost all internet users is that they are impatient and demand instant gratification from online searches! If a website is slow to load, difficult to navigate, or doesn't meet the user's expectations in some other way, then they will move on to another website - likely that of a competitor! You cannot rely on visitors to be patient when it comes to using your website. Keep user requirements to the bare minimum. When visitors land on your website for the first time, don't expect an immediate registration or subscription from them. Let them explore, and they will be more willing to share their personal data with you at a later date!
It is important to catch the attention of your visitors, but it is important to think about how to maintain that focus. Let's talk about how the human eye perceives information. The eye is a non-linear device that instantly recognizes edges, patterns, and motions. A website builder in Knoxville, TN, can use this knowledge to design where a user's focus will land by adding bold fonts, animated elements, and other features that will pull focus.
Content matters as much as design when it comes to building a great website. However, text online differs from text in print; thus, content needs to be designed accordingly. Internet users don't want promotional writing. They won't read large blocks of text without images. Exaggerated language full of industry buzzwords is going to be ignored! It is important to know your audience and use a voice that is going to resonate with them. One of the first things a website builder in Knoxville, TN, will do in preparation for designing your website is research your target audience. It is also important to be clear and concise, avoiding industry jargon or clever marketing names. If you want a user to register, your CTA button should say 'Sign Up' - not 'Start Here'! A few easy tips to follow when creating content for your website include the following:
There is a temptation to throw all of the bells and whistles you can think of at your website to try and make it stand out. However, you will have more success if you reign it in and keep it simple! While users may enjoy the visual design of a website, the ultimate goal is to find the information they need. An experienced website builder in Knoxville, TN, will strive to create simplicity over complexity, but your website will also look beautiful! It's a case of balancing aesthetics and functionality.
If you need a new website for your business and want to ensure it follows sound design principles like these, it is important to work with an experienced website builder in Knoxville, TN, like bluedress INTERNET MARKETING®.
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To Your Best Online!
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Ingrid Maddox, Internet Marketing & Strategy Consultant. bluedress INTERNET MARKETING®, an Internet Marketing Company headquartered in Knoxville, TN. Internet Marketing Developed, Implemented, and Managed to Full Circle! Organic Internet Search Engine Guru. Turn-Key Internet Optimization Programs Placing You Everywhere and Anywhere You Need to Be Online.
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