Web design is a critical aspect of building an online presence for small businesses. A well-designed website not only helps establish credibility but also helps businesses connect with their customers and promote their products and services. However, designing a website can be a daunting task, especially for small businesses with limited resources. In this blog post, we’ll discuss five important web design rules and principles that small businesses should keep in mind when designing their websites.
Keep it Simple and Intuitive
The first and most important rule of web design is to keep it simple and intuitive. Your website should be easy to navigate, with a clear and simple layout. Visitors should be able to find the information they are looking for quickly and easily. Cluttered and confusing websites can frustrate visitors and lead to a high bounce rate.
One example of a small business that has done an excellent job of keeping their website simple and intuitive is Basecamp. Their website features a simple, clean layout that is easy to navigate. Visitors can quickly find the information they need about Basecamp’s project management software, without being overwhelmed by unnecessary information.
Another good practice for keeping your website simple and intuitive is to use clear and concise language. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that your visitors may not understand. Instead, use simple and straightforward language that anyone can understand.
Focus on User Experience
The user experience (UX) is another critical aspect of web design. Your website should be designed with your target audience in mind. This means that you should focus on creating a website that is easy to use, visually appealing, and meets the needs of your visitors.
One example of a small business that has done an excellent job of focusing on user experience is Airbnb. Their website is visually appealing, easy to use, and meets the needs of their visitors. Visitors can easily search for and book accommodations, view photos, and read reviews from other guests.
Another good practice for improving the user experience is to make your website mobile-friendly. With the majority of internet traffic coming from mobile devices, it’s essential to ensure that your website is optimized for mobile devices. This means using responsive design, which automatically adjusts the layout of your website to fit different screen sizes.
Use Consistent Branding
Consistency is key when it comes to branding, and this is especially true when it comes to your website design. Use consistent branding throughout your website, including your logo, color scheme, and typography. This will help visitors identify your brand and make it easier for them to remember your website. Use your branding consistently on your social media channels and marketing materials as well, to help reinforce your brand message and improve brand recognition.
One example of a small business that has done an excellent job of using consistent branding is Mailchimp. Their website features consistent branding throughout, including their logo, color scheme, and typography. This helps visitors identify their brand and reinforces their brand message.
Another good practice for using consistent branding is to create a style guide. A style guide is a document that outlines the elements of your branding, including your logo, color scheme, and typography. This can be used as a reference when designing your website and other marketing materials.
Pay Attention to Website Loading Speed
Website loading speed is a critical factor in the success of your website. Visitors expect websites to load quickly, and slow-loading websites can frustrate visitors and lead to a high bounce rate. To ensure that your website loads quickly, you should optimize your website’s images and videos, use caching, and minimize HTTP requests.
One example of a small business that has done an excellent job of optimizing their website’s loading speed is Moz. Their website loads quickly, even with a lot of images and videos, which improves the user experience for their visitors.
Another good practice for improving your website’s loading speed is to use content delivery networks (CDNs). A CDN is a network of servers that are distributed around the world, which can improve the speed of your website by caching your website’s content on servers that are geographically closer to your visitors. This can help reduce the distance between your visitors and your website’s server, which can lead to faster load times.
Use Clear and Consistent Calls to Action
The final important web design rule and principle for small businesses is to use clear and consistent calls to action (CTAs). A call to action is a button or link that encourages visitors to take a specific action, such as signing up for a newsletter or making a purchase.
Your CTAs should be clear and prominent, so visitors know what action to take. Use action-oriented language, such as “Sign Up Now” or “Buy Now,” to encourage visitors to take action. Also, use consistent CTAs throughout your website, so visitors can easily find and use them.
One example of a small business that has done an excellent job of using clear and consistent CTAs is Squarespace. Their website features clear and prominent CTAs throughout, such as “Get Started” and “View Templates.” These CTAs encourage visitors to take action, which can lead to increased conversions.
Another good practice for using clear and consistent CTAs is to use contrasting colors. Choose a color for your CTAs that stands out from the rest of your website’s color scheme, so visitors can easily find them. For example, if your website has a blue and white color scheme, use a bright orange or green color for your CTAs.
In conclusion, designing a website can be a daunting task, but by following these five important web design rules and principles, small businesses can create a website that is simple, intuitive, user-friendly, and visually appealing. By keeping your website design simple and intuitive, focusing on the user experience, using consistent branding, paying attention to website loading speed, and using clear and consistent CTAs, you can create a website that is effective in promoting your brand and connecting with your target audience. Remember to stay up-to-date with the latest web design trends and best practices to ensure that your website stays current and effective.