7 Elements for Effective Website Design

Whether its website design in Dallas or website design in some other city, there are a number of crucial elements that come into the picture when it comes down to the brass tacks. The question is whether or not you want to attract people and keep them on the pages, or you want them to merely bounce away to another site. Even some of the prettiest websites have trouble converting visitors into customers, so there is more to the story than merely slopping together pretty pictures and big words.

People that are browsing the internet do not like to linger on pages that do not engage them. Look at any website and ask these questions:

  • What is the first thing visitors see?
  • Where is the closest call to action?
  • Do you feel engaged?
  • What does the site have to offer?

In order to get results from a website, it is important to think about the way visitors see the site when they first land on it. You don’t have to be a psychologist to understand that you can build your pages in a way that attracts users.

Here are 7 crucial web design elements that can make or break your site’s success:

1 The User Experience

Whenever you are designing a website it is important to keep in mind the identity and the brand of the client you are building for. If you are building it for yourself, remember to keep your company in the picture.

Although branding is important, the way that users experience the website is probably the most important factor of web design. What happens when somebody lands on the page? Are they confronted with a large block of text? Do they become introduced to an inviting image that calls for interaction?

  • Pages load quickly
  • Inviting atmosphere
  • Easy to navigate
  • Clear path to completion

One of the most important elements of web design is to create the site in a manner that allows for fast page loading so that the user does not have to sit and wait for the site to appear. One of the biggest mistakes web developers make is to add large images and videos to pages.

The photos and videos might be the most amazing graphics in the history of the world, but if they slow pages down, they are not worth it because users will leave before the page loads.

Set the tone of the website by adding sensible images with compelling content that engages them to seek more.

Make it easy for visitors to find more. Create a clear path that will lead the visitor in the direction that causes a conversion.

2 The Engagement

Engagement can come in the form of many sources. Depending on the type of website, the type of audience that visits the pages, and the overall goals of the webmaster. When a person is engaged, they are partaking in an activity that draws their attention.

For example, if your website is for a business that offers health and fitness services the audience will most likely be interested in things that improve their overall health. Some sensible images of people in action, coupled with intriguing headings that invite the user to learn more are perfect examples of engagement.

  • Grab the attention
  • Engage the user to learn more
  • Provide quality answers and solutions

Invite your visitors to become interested in what you have to offer them. Let them know it is beneficial and useful. Keep them wanting more.

3 The Calls to Action

A call to action is anything that invites the user to move forward in the process of engagement or purchase. Calls to action should be strategically placed under descriptive text or images. These links should go directly to a download or a shopping cart or a form to fill out for more information.

A good example of a call to action is what we mentioned above about engagement. Inviting a visitor to learn more is a call to action. The difference between engagement and action is when you are engaging a visitor you are inviting them into a conversation. When you invite them to take action is when you invite them to make a purchase or inquire about making a purchase.

You Want To Learn How To Build A Successful Website? Request a Meeting.

Although this is a crude example if the above text, “Request a meeting,” is a link to a form or a phone number to call it is considered a call to action.

If your site has ample calls to action that are set in appropriate places it has the potential to generate conversions and be a great success.

4 The Layout

It is very important to create an appealing layout of the website. Yes, this is an extension of the easy-to-use interface that gives a great user experience. However, it is important to create a layout that is not only appealing to the user, but to the entire structure of the website.

  • Enough space between text and images
  • Consistent margins
  • Appealing line of vision
  • Upfront contact information

All of the pages on the site must have the same layout, otherwise, the entire site looks unorganized and unattractive. Most users will assume that a site is sketchy if it is not correctly aligned and matched up with the other pages.

A well-crafted website layout will allow the users to easily and freely navigate the site without having to waste time searching for things.

5 The Headings

The big words that stand out on the pages of the site make a huge difference. Words in larger, bolder, fonts express a higher level of importance. Make sure that you express what is important in a positive fashion unless you are trying scare tactics.

If you visit a site with headings that are full of negativity you might just bounce away without giving them a chance.

The difference between:

Why Do I Need a Website? 5 Reasons Why Having a Website is a Must

You Are Bleeding Money Out Of Your Pockets

And

We Will Show You How To Keep Your Money

Is pretty big.

The first heading expresses a problem. The second heading expresses a solution. What are most people searching for when they surf the web? Problems or solutions?

However, the first heading does attract attention in an alarming way, and the second attracts it in a positive way.

In any event, don’t waste your headings on irrelevant topics, make them count, and make them bold.

6 The Link System

Inbound and outbound links are very important for the structure of the website. When building a website from scratch it is important to leave room for additions and improvements because just like everything else, the technological environment of the internet changes from day to day.

In any event, the header and footer menus should always be present and easy to access while outbound links should be in the content either anchored in keywords or attached to images. Navigation around the website should not be confusing or difficult. Each link should be pointed to an active page that is in effect. Dead links that go produce error pages should be removed or repaired.

7 Search Engine Appeal

One of the most important factors of effective web design is the element of search engine optimization. In order for a website to have a possibility of being successful, it must first be discoverable on the web. There is a fine line between appealing to search engines and appealing to humans. A skilled web designer will know the difference and be able to balance both aspects.

  • Clear title with pillar keyword
  • Clear H1 heading with pillar keyword
  • Clear first paragraph with keyword and compelling content
  • Images with alt text that includes keywords
  • Short meta description about 160 characters with keywords

Sometimes it’s the little things that matter most. Although some experts may disagree that meta descriptions have no bearing on search results if you pay attention to results with keywords you will notice that the keywords are bold in the search results.

Conclusion

We showed you some of the top elements that lead to a successful web development endeavor. Although looking good, engaging the audience, leading to conversions, making room for improvements, and structuring for search engine appeal are crucial, all of the elements need to work together in order to maximize conversion rates. Successful websites are an ongoing process that changes with the times. Effective web design is an art that requires both an understanding of technology and the way humans think. It takes a great deal of skill to compete in the digital market. Don’t look for the easy way.