10 principles of a successful website
Good web design involves more than an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
We have outlined the 10 basic principles of good web design to highlight what we consider to be the most critical points in creating a site that brings the best realization of the final product.
Usability and usefulness determine the success or failure of a website. Since the page visitor is the only person who clicks the mouse and therefore decides everything, user-centered design has become the standard approach for successful and profit-oriented web design. After all, if users can’t use a feature, it might as well not exist.
To use the principles correctly, we must first understand how users interact with websites, how they think, and what the underlying patterns of user behavior are.
The habits of online consumers are not so different from the habits of in-store customers. Visitors glance at each new page, scan some text, and click on the first link that piques their interest or vaguely resembles what they’re looking for. In fact, there are large parts of the page that they don’t even look at.
Web users are impatient and demand instant gratification.
Most users are looking for something interesting (or useful) and clickable, as soon as information matching the search is found, users click.
If the new page does not meet users’ expectations, the “Back” button is clicked and the search process continues.
Web users are impatient and demand instant gratification. A very simple principle: If the website is not able to meet the expectations of the users, then the designer has failed to do his job properly and the company is losing money. The greater the cognitive load and the less intuitive the navigation, the more likely users are to leave the website and look for alternatives.
1. A good website should be easy to navigate.
A website that is easy to use is crucial because if a visitor finds it difficult to navigate from one page to another, it is extremely difficult.
2. Innovative but not distracting
Impressive design involves creativity. Innovative use of design elements and white spaces creates a less distracting, more engaging design and directs visitors where you want them to go. Think of the iconic Apple and Google logos – unforgettable. A simple, clean design surrounded by spaces makes the website more effective. Cheaper, lower-quality products often have a busy, noisy, advertising-driven design, and website visitors automatically assume that the distracting site is promoting a lower-quality product.
3. Aesthetically appealing
You have a specific market segment that is your target customer. The design should be crafted specifically to appeal to that niche. Researching buyer habits can reveal the type of image, colors, and other design features that appeal to those you want to reach. Each ‘buyer profile’ has specific requirements and researching likes/dislikes is essential. A large number of site visitors are worthless if they aren’t the ones who will eventually convert—and buy.
4. Respectful, honest and engaging
Social media has a significant impact on communication, both written and spoken. Visitors want to be engaged in a very “human” way. Every word, phrase and title should respect the user, be honest and have an appealing quality that makes them intriguing. The basic concept is that people want honesty and value it.
We can create for you a beautiful and modern website that contains everything you need for your business, at an unexpected price, and at the same time in a few days.
5. Functional and easy to use
In website design, usability and functionality should guide every decision – trumping all other design considerations. In order to achieve a clear, easy and ultimately direct path to conversion, both design and technical issues are considered. Each link should function quickly and each active button should be positioned correctly, requiring as little effort as possible for the visitor to move to the next step.
6. Every detail is important
Your business has a unique personality. Communicating the unique qualities of your business through design involves turning every element down to the last detail. There are no minor details in the design – every piece should fit together seamlessly and create a cohesive look that serves to maintain your brand’s appeal.
7. Easy to understand information
Site visitors should be able to easily understand every word, phrase and title without any confusion. An unusual or less commonly used word or phrase will throw them off. Specific terminology that isn’t used often will detract from your appeal. Dense, complex content won’t work. Calls to action that are obscure or hard to find will be missed – and you have another lost customer. All site content and every visual element should be laid out clearly and cleanly, with all critical conversion points visible above the visible portion of the page (without scrolling to find them).
8. Design elements inspire users to dig deeper
Your home page should have an initial attractive design and usability. Each design feature is then developed with the specific goal of inspiring the visitor to learn more – and engage users more deeply on your site, ultimately converting them into your customers. It takes skill to achieve this goal, as well as experience and insight into consumer behavior. Nothing should be left to chance – your design should naturally lead them where you want them to go.
9. Visual elements placed to focus the user’s attention
Accurate placement of visual elements is a major factor in successful web design. All design features create an open, inviting path to the products. These design elements act as cues that focus visitors’ attention exactly where it needs to go.
10. Emphasis on the most important
What is most important to your website visitors? The substance of your presentation should clearly communicate that your business is the place to solve a specific problem or need. To appeal to your target audience, focus on what your customer wants most. For results, you need to research what your customers, as a group, are looking for and the questions they are asking. Once those needs and wants are identified, you work with those concepts to create a presentation that highlights them with color, design, and text.