You would be hard-pressed to find a website designer that doesn’t boast the importance of web design. As one of Vancouver’s best web design agencies, we’ll tell you exactly that, the design of a website is important, however, it’s not as important as the content.
You need visually appealing and functional web design to attract clients and customers, but some designers lose sight of the reason your audience visits your site in the first place, it’s to get information. Whether it’s contact information, store hours, to learn about your services, what you stand for as a company, or something else, the content is the most important part of your site. Similar to how in romantic relationships, beauty fades, that concept can be applied to web design. A stunning website may draw someone in, but the words, the substance, the message is what they stay for. Even for industries that rely heavily on images, content reigns supreme. Look at Facebook and Instagram, they are photo-based websites that still rely on content! So remember, the web design is queen, the content is king, but they are most powerful when used together.
How to use web design to enhance your content and website
Good web design should be inviting
There’s no secret, first impressions matter. Your website’s design is the customer’s first impression and it has to be inviting. Pay attention to your brand and who your target audience is and tailor everything to them. Consider things like color palette, typeface and font, pictures, logos, and other design elements.
An easy layout makes for great web design
Few things are worse than a confusing web layout! Have you ever had the experience of trying to find contact information but it’s not under “contact” or trying to find the spot you were browsing after checking your shopping cart but can’t? What about not even knowing where to click because there are so many tabs, click-through-links, and pages? Navigation and easy website layouts are crucial to web design but are sometimes overlooked. Similar to how you would expect an in-person office or store to be easy to move around in, you want your website to be user-friendly in the same way.
Websites must function
This might go without saying but we’ll say it anyway, your website has to work! Before launching your site make sure the design makes sense and the elements are functional. This means all links are clickable and take the user to where they want to go. It entails reasonable load-times, appropriate graphics, and a mobile-friendly view that functions just as well as the full website.
The best web design is accommodating
You must consider who your website is for. If you are using a health care web design you might include things like clinic hours, location, services, and Covid-19 protocols on the homepage where customers will see it immediately. If you are a restaurant the menu must be easy to access, a retail store should make shopping its priority, and the list goes on. Although there are certain features and elements in design that can be used with nearly every website, the real magic is in the details. By focusing on the needs of your specific business and accommodating to those clients, you ensure the best website!
Less is more
Less is more usually refers to the idea of “simplicity” being the best for web design. Great web design is clean, clear, and simple. Imagine going into a store that’s cluttered from top to bottom, doesn’t make for a very positive shopping experience, does it? Browsing a website shouldn’t feel stressful or overwhelming. Try and avoid too many ads or pop-ups, take it easy on loading graphics and transitions between pages. Well-placed design elements are professional and effective, too many inhibit a good user experience.
How to use content to take your web design to the next level
Content helps you target your audience
Content is one of the best ways to interact with your target audience. But before you put pen to paper, fingers to keyboard, and words to screen, ask yourself, who are you writing for? The words on your website need to be of high value, but also serve a purpose. Use content to hook your ideal client and keep them coming back.
Content is the reason you have a website
People visit and browse a website to find information, make sure you are giving it to them! Great copy not only keeps clients on your website but it answers their questions. Have a FAQ that anticipates your clients’ needs. Clearly describe your products and services, have a blog, use content to provide added value to everyone who visits your site.
Content makes sure you’re found
Are you familiar with SEO, search engine optimization? It’s how search engines prioritize who comes up first on searches. One element SEO evaluates is the content on your website. By having lots of copy, words, and, content, using keywords that attract your target audience, and providing information that keeps users on your page, you ensure you are found by the right people! The better your content, the more valuable your website, and the happier your customers will be.
It shows that you are up-to-date
By addressing trends and current events, either on your home page or by having a blog you show your audience that you are up-to-date. This is so important in the online business world because it’s not always obvious just by looking at a website if the business is available, reliable, or even real. Clue-ins like recent updates and posts are things that let potential clients know that you are available to talk to them and do business.
Good content personalizes your brand
One thing that gets lost with e-commerce, online businesses, and digital platforms is the face to face interaction and that feeling of connectedness to a brand or company. Having a good in-person interaction with a business is enough to keep a loyal customer for life. By having content that helps show your values as a company you create a personal connection to your customers, who will be more likely to use your products and services. Mission statements, tag-lines, and messaging are all ways to helps personalize your brand.
At the end of the day, no matter what your website is intended for, people are visiting it for information. The content you provide will always be the most important thing on your site. If someone doesn’t resonate with your words, or worse, can’t understand your message, then they will not become a client, it’s that simple. With that being said, content and design truly go hand in hand when it comes to the best web design. You want to use them together to build a website, that benefits your company, your customers, and even your competition by being so inspiring. Invest your time in great web design and valuable content!
