Having a strong digital presence starts with strong web page layout and design, from the landing page and throughout every page of the site. But what website design concepts can be employed to put your best face forward to your online audience? Follow these pointers to get started.

Solid Website Design Concept

Starting out with a clear purpose–and keeping all your pages focused on that purpose–is essential to ending up with a good website. The best websites on the internet have distinct and unique visual and content themes that are consistent throughout the site, and well-organized menus and banners. For businesses, content should lead the user in a logical direction toward purchase, contact, subscription, or whatever goal the business has. You should have a clear idea of what you want your own website to convey, as well as a clear idea of what you want users to do on your site. If you cannot articulate both of these goals with some specificity, it’s too early to start designing your website.

Simple Color Themes and Clear Font Choices

There can be an urge to overdesign your webpages, but when it comes to layout, sometimes simplicity is the most effective approach. Pick two or three base colors that can be used throughout most of your website to give it a cohesive theme and feel. And while there may be a temptation to jazz up your website a lot, remember that your website is not really supposed to be just an artist’s canvas. It is there to promote your business. So while it should be visually appealing, it should also be easy to read. Pick easy-to-read font sizes and styles for your content, so that users aren’t straining to figure out what it is you are trying to communicate.

Graphics and Elements Mesh Well

Users will be able to tell the difference between a random mash-up of content and a page that was designed with one united vision. Make sure every element on your page works well with every other element, both in terms of visual appeal and in the written content. Websites are more than online storefronts; they are brochures, advertisements, showrooms, and storefronts in one package. Everything on your website should establish and exhibit one brand identity.

Keep Mobile-Friendly Design in Mind

These days, more and more people are using their smartphones for internet browsing, and even for internet shopping. Unfortunately, some web designers forget this in designing sites for their clients. So, when users try to access the site from their phones, the sites are frustrating to look at and difficult to navigate. When that happens, your potential customers will simply go elsewhere. When you design your site, make sure that it provides mobile users a positive experience.

“Less is More” Approach to Minimize Clutter

A good design principle for nearly anything from your living room to your website is to not clutter it up. So when putting together your webpages, don’t try to cram everything in there, or make it too busy. It’s okay if you leave some questions unanswered; in fact, if you can get a user to reach out by calling you or using your contact page, all the better.

Lack of clutter is especially important to consider for mobile users, who are already looking at a small screen. Before adding an element to your website, ask yourself what value the addition brings to the overall user experience. If you cannot provide a definite answer to the question, chances are, your customers won’t find any value either.

Use Whitespace Effectively

Even more than just lack of clutter, one often overlooked design concept is strategic use of negative space. The term ‘whitespace’ can be misleading in the sense that it is not just leaving a blank slate of white on the page, but keeping the actual pageview clean and clear, whatever color it is. The important thing to remember is to choose a layout and background that leads your user’s eyes to the elements that you want to showcase on each page. In particular, the visual medium can be used to advantage where too many words or photos might turn a user off. The last thing you want is a user to get distracted from the focus you intend.

Build Around the User Experience

You could have the most visually appealing website in the world, but if visitors to your page don’t know how to interact with it, there’s no way your site will be a success. The purpose of your site is not just to wow or entertain people, it is to get them to do business with you.

To that end, consistency and clarity in designing your interface are essential, so that people who click around your page are able to navigate easily. If your users have a bad experience, they are going to head to a competitor that offers a better online experience.

When it comes to web page layout, don’t take on the challenge of maximizing your online presence without careful planning and forethought. If you’re slapping together a website just because you need to be found on the internet, odds are, you’re not going to get enough traffic to make the effort worthwhile. For professional website design and optimization that actually expands your business, get in touch with Blue Zone Marketing today and let our team of entrepreneurs help realize your business’ full potential!

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