5 EASY WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR WEBSITE DESIGN

A recent study found that 88 percent of consumers research a product or company they are interested in online first before making a purchase, either online or in person. This means that the quality of your website, your social media presence and the reviews you generate online are likely to make or break your business. All online efforts need to start with a focus on your website; your social media ads link back to it even if someone doesn’t go there directly after a web search. Your website is important for making the right first impression about your company. In this article we’re going to take a look at five easy ways to improve your site's web design.

5 Easy Ways to Improve Your Website Design

1. Keep it simple

The first rule of web design is simplicity. It is easy to get carried away with many links, photos, and columns of information. But the websites that keep viewers and customers coming back are simple yet creatively designed and easy to navigate. When a site is too chaotic and filled with many links, a customer can get lost and completely abandon the site altogether. Therefore, you should only put the most important links at the top, and keep your main page uncluttered with well-defined sections and unobtrusive links to other pages. There is a trend toward putting more information on the home page so visitors can scroll to find out more about you and your services but another option is to make use of sub-pages to provide more extensive information. 

2. Don't go overboard with fonts

Pick simple, well-known fonts for any text posts. Fancy fonts can be distracting and hard to read. Also, simple fonts will make it easier for other devices to read, increasing your website's accessibility no matter the platform. The same can be said about graphics: be mindful of using over-the-top animations or graphics that can take time to load. This makes your website hard to load and use, which could discourage viewers from waiting. Always err on the side of utility, and again, keep things simple.

3. Use a responsive layout

A responsive layout is one where your website can adapt to different types of browsers. This saves you from creating multiple websites for different devices (such as mobile phones or tablets), and allows for easy user interaction. Google now prioritizes website with a responsive design so it’s more important than ever.

4. Link your logo to your home page

This is a simple, yet sometimes overlooked mistake: not linking your homepage with your logo. This is a great anchor for people who explore your website and then want to return to the main page. By linking your logo, you can keep customers from becoming frustrated.

5. Double-check your spelling and grammar!

Though not specifically related to web design, your website content is as important as its appearance. Not proofreading your content - such as your mission statement, product descriptions, or announcements - makes your company look hasty or unreliable. Remain consistent with punctuation, capitalization, and article usage, especially if it is in your name (ex. "The IronWorks" or "Ironworks"). In addition, make sure your website is constantly updated and maintained. Always run checks to see if links or order forms are working properly, the correct contact information is up-to-date, and the content is well organized.

By keeping these five tips in mind, your website is sure to attract visitors and get them through the buyer journey.

Look for an experienced web designer

Softwired provides digital marketing solutions for our partner agencies and clients. We stay on top of web design trends, changes to Google’s algorithms and consumer behavior so we can help our customers grow their business through the service we provide. We’ve got you covered for:

• Web design,
• SEO,
• Local online presence and optimization,
• Digital marketing and sales, and advertising.

Whether you’re interested in a partnership or a referral program, web design only or more;