Do you want to take your business to the next level online?
Great web design isn’t an option. It’s the single most important asset every business needs today. With great design, you can:
- Convert website visitors into customers
- Establish trust with your audience
- Outshine your competitors
And the best part? It’s actually pretty simple.
In this guide, I’m going to show you everything you need to know about web design so your business can succeed online.
Here’s a quick look at what you’ll learn:
- Why Web Design Matters for Business
- Key Elements of Great Web Design
- Mobile-First Design: How to Get it Right
- Improving User Experience
- Wrapping it all up
Let’s dive in…
Why Web Design Matters for Business
The most important thing to understand is this…
Your website is your business’s digital storefront. It’s the first thing most people will experience when they find you online. And that first experience happens in a flash.
Website users form an opinion in just 0.05 seconds. That’s less than a blink of an eye.
A slow, outdated site with bad design tells potential customers they should go somewhere else.
This is why you must work with a professional company like Denver web design and development experts to deliver next-level web design for business.
Here’s some data for you:
On average, 94% of first impressions on your website are design-related. This means nearly all visitors are making a judgment on you and your business based on how your website looks, even before they read a single word.
Mind-blowing right?
But here’s the thing, it gets crazier. 75% of users decide whether they can trust a business based on the design of the website alone. If your design is poor, they conclude the business must not care about quality and will not support you.
If they can’t trust you…they won’t buy from you.
Key Elements of Great Web Design
So we know that design matters. But what exactly does great design for websites entail?
Pretty website design that looks cool but doesn’t work? Or a stunningly beautiful website design that converts?
It’s not an either-or situation. The right design is both.
The essential elements of great design and development can be broken down into these key components:
- Clarity of navigation
- Clear visual hierarchy
- Consistency in branding
- Page speed
- Powerful calls-to-action
Let’s take a closer look at these elements…
Navigation
Websites can have lots of great content, but if the navigation is complicated, then users will not be able to find what they need in a matter of seconds. It’s as simple as that.
Good navigation should be invisible to the user. It’s an innate function they should not have to think about.
Search functionality is important too. Search should return relevant results and menus need to be clear and easy to understand. If your website visitors are unable to find what they need in a matter of seconds…they will leave.
Visual Hierarchy
This refers to how people consume information visually. The most important information should stand out. The eye needs to be naturally drawn to the key messages and information on your page.
Headlines should be clear and big. Important content should be above the fold. You can use size, color, and contrast to signal which things matter most on the page.
Simple and Clean Design
Less is more when it comes to design. Clutter and too much information confuse people and reduce conversion rates.
Use whitespace strategically to focus people’s attention on key information. Break up large blocks of text. Use supportive imagery to convey information. Don’t be afraid of white space. Use it to your advantage.
Mobile-First Design: How to Get it Right
As of right now, mobile devices account for over 64% of web traffic. To be blunt, if your website is not optimized for mobile devices then you are losing money.
Google has already caught on and made mobile-friendliness a ranking factor. Sites that are not mobile responsive will rank lower in search engine results. If Google ranks you lower, then less people will see your business.
Mobile-first design is design that prioritizes functionality on mobile devices and scales up to larger devices.
What this looks like:
- Responsive layouts – adjust automatically to fit the screen size
- Touch-friendly buttons – big buttons that are easy to tap
- Readable font sizes – no need to pinch or zoom in
- Fast mobile performance – optimized images, and clean code
- Simple forms – minimal typing required
Websites that prioritize mobile users are crushing the competition right now. If you want to win online, mobile is non-negotiable.
Improving User Experience
This is the stuff that happens behind the scenes that makes all the difference. User experience (UX) is where design truly comes into play.
It’s not just about how a website looks. It’s about how easy it is for people to interact with the site and take the desired action.
In fact, research has found that great UX design can improve conversion rates by up to 400%.
Here’s a few things you can do to take UX to the next level…
Website Speed
A fast site is a conversion machine. Site visitors expect a page to load in under two seconds. The longer a page takes to load, the more visitors you lose.
Site speed is a huge factor in conversion and engagement. Optimizing images, code, and using fast hosting can have a big impact on results.
Keep it Simple
Simplicity in design makes your site easier to use, which in turn, makes your life easier. Simple navigation, clear CTA buttons, and uncluttered design help visitors find what they need quickly.
Trust is huge
Professional-looking design is a huge trust factor for many people. Include social proof such as testimonials and reviews. Include security badges for checkout. Display contact information and trust symbols.
UX is not one size fits all
Different businesses need to test what works and what doesn’t. Test variations in your design. See how different changes impact user behavior. Keep refining and improving.
Wrapping it all up
Great web design is an ongoing process. Successful online businesses put in the work to keep their websites fresh, fast, and functional.
Here’s the simple framework that works:
- Audit your website: Identify what’s working and what needs improvement.
- Mobile first: Ensure everything functions well on mobile devices.
- Optimize for speed: Page load time is critical.
- Simplify navigation: Make it easy for visitors to find what they need.
- Test and iterate: Continuously test and refine your site based on results.
Put the work in.
Successful businesses have invested in creating amazing web experiences for their users.
Your website is your business. It’s either helping you grow or holding you back. There is no middle ground.
If you’re not taking your online business seriously, it’s time to get started.
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