When it comes to web design, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Every website is different and needs to be designed with its own unique goals and target audience in mind. However, there are some general principles of effective web design that all websites should follow. In this blog post, we will review the dos and dont’s of effective web design.

Do’s

1. Do Your Research

Before you start designing your website, it is essential to do your research. It means understanding your target audience and what they are looking for on your website. It also means understanding your competition and what they are doing well (and not so well). Doing your research upfront will save you a lot of time and effort in the long run.

2. Understand Your Target Audience

As we mentioned above, it is essential to understand your target audience before you start designing your website. Once you know your target audience, you can design your website in a way that appeals to them. For example, if you are targeting young adults, you will want to use a more modern design with brighter colours. On the other hand, if you are targeting seniors, you will want to use a more traditional design with subdued colours.

3. Keep It Simple

When it comes to web design, less is often more. A simple design is more straightforward for users to navigate and is less likely to overwhelm them with too much information at once. When in doubt, err on the side of simplicity.

4. Make It Mobile-Friendly

In today’s world, making sure your website is mobile-friendly is essential. More and more people are using their smartphones and tablets to access the internet, so it is crucial that your website looks good and works well on these devices. If your website is not mobile-friendly, you risk losing potential customers or clients.

5. Test, Test, Test

Once your website is live, it is important to test it regularly to make sure everything is working as it should be. It includes testing all of your website’s links and ensuring the forms are working properly. Testing can be time-consuming, but making sure your website is running smoothly is worth it.

Don’ts

1. Do not use too much text

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when designing your website is using too much text. Users do not want to be bombarded with walls of text; they want to be able to find the information they are looking for quickly. Therefore, keep your text concise and easily read using short paragraphs and bullet points whenever possible.

2. Do not use too many colours

Another common mistake people make when designing their website is using too many colours. Too many colours can be overwhelming and make it difficult for users to focus on the content of your website. Stick to a maximum of three colours for your overall colour scheme; any more than that, your website will start to look cluttered.

3. Do not use too many images

While images can be a great way to add visual interest to your website, using too many images can detract from the overall look. Too many images can make your website look busy and cluttered, so only use them when necessary. And when you use images, make sure they are high-quality and relevant to the content on your website.

4. Do not use too much animation

Animation can be a great way to add interactivity to your website; however, using too much animation can be detrimental to the user experience. If used excessively, animation can be distracting and make it difficult for users to focus on your site’s content. Therefore, use animation sparingly and only when it enhances the user experience; otherwise, keep it simple.

5. Do not use too many pop-ups

Pop-ups can be a great way to capture leads or promote special offers; however, using too many pop-ups can annoy users and cause them to leave your site altogether. If you must use pop-ups, limit them to one or two per page and ensure they are relevant to the user’s interests.

Web design is essential to any successful website; however, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Every website is different and needs to be designed with its own unique goals and target audience in mind. However, there are some general principles of effective web design that all websites should follow
do your research upfront,
understand your target audience,
keep it simple,
make it mobile-friendly,
test regularly, and
don’t use too many colours/images/pop-ups.
By following these guidelines, you will be well on designing a successful website. Orange Media’s masterpiece is developing a website, book your discovery call now!