Website Design Tips

Before you even think about marketing your website it is of the utmost importance to make sure that it is designed well. There are some crucial steps to take to give your website a search engine friendly look. When designing, the most basic, important, effective web design concept is the "Less is More" concept. This is especially true when it comes to successful eCommerce websites. While it is important to present a visually pleasing design, it is even more important for your website's visitors to understand its purpose. Without a well-defined, clear purpose, all your hard work will be for nothing as it will leave your visitors confused. Keep it simple, keep it clear, and keep it to the point.

The simplicity of your background is very important. I encourage a white background because many photographs and product images have a white border that would be noticeable on a colored background. Also, it is easier to read text on a very light background color than it is on a medium or dark shade. Obviously the lighter your background, the more visible your text and images will be. I also discourage the use of background images or patterns. These elements obscure text and slow webpage load times. They clutter the whole look of your pages and this kind of distraction takes away from your site's purpose.

When adding text, choose only a few text fonts, sizes, and colors for your webpages. A good guideline to follow is to make all of the main body text the same color, font, and size. You can then accentuate headings with a larger size and/or a different color. As for text color, a very dark shade like black or navy on a white background is best. Yellow or neon green are examples of bad color choices that are difficult to view on a white background.

When choosing a color scheme, choose only a few colors and use them as themes in text and images. A design that includes a rainbow of colors is a distraction while a design with only a few colors is aesthetically appealing without drawing too much attention away from your website's important concepts.

Every image you add should contribute directly to your webpage's main point. Also, in general, avoid designs that include background images and animated GIFs. These slow down your webpage's loading speed and also distract visitors from your purpose.

For the most part, refrain from using background music or other sound files along with your webpages. Sound files will probably not contribute to your website's sales; however, they will slow your webpage's loading speed. Slow loading pages result in visitors going elsewhere.

Define the purpose of your website. Your design element should focus on your website's purpose. This means that the text should clearly define the purpose, images should contribute to the page's purpose, every navigation option should lead to the next step, and the layout should simplify the main point. In eCommerce, there is no room for clutter. Your website should show your qualified buyers that they have come to the right place, how they can find the product they want, and how to proceed effortlessly to checkout. Webpage elements that don't help clarify your message will only confuse your potential buyers who have come for a specific product or service. If your website is confusing, customers will likely go away and never return.

Don't make the mistake of confusing your own personality for your business' personality. When you think about the personality you want your website to convey, heavily consider how the personality will establish credibility and appeal to your targeted customers.

Using these simple design techniques will ensure a well-defined site. A well-defined site will attract and keep customers and visitors. This is, after all, the point.