Designing a website can prove to be a challenge, especially if you are unsure what to include.
These days, customers are looking for more usability and less decoration – simple is better.
Use the following tips to help design a website that will attract users and function well.
When designing a website, it is important to make a note of the aspects of the website that you want to shine through.
If you are selling goods, you want to have a good layout for customers to access your products.
Make sure you size your pictures small, but large enough to be shown.
Because large pictures take longer to download be sure to only make your pictures as large as they need to effectively showcase your products.
Avoid Clutter
Too much information on one page will only serve to confuse your customers and of course, this is not what you want to do.
If your customers cannot navigate the website with ease, it is unlikely that they will purchase your products or service.
It is also unlikely that they will ever return or recommend your site to friends and family.
Flash Is Not Necessary
While attractive, it can take a long time to download and if your customers are running on dial-up you are talking several minutes.
Many users will lose patience and move onto the next website in their list.
If you like the look of Flash, offer it only as an entrance to your site, but also offer the option to skip the intro for those users who have slow connections.
Your Content Matters
If you sell products, emphasize why the products are so great.
Draw your users in with catchy phrases and really sell the products to them.
Avoid making your entire website sound like a sales pitch.
Rather, leave the descriptions to the products and offer useful information on the rest of the website – such as articles, tips and recommendations.
Include Color But Don’t Overdo It
Colors really help a website to pop, but too many colors or obnoxiously bright colors can be a turn-off.
You can have the best products in the world, but if your customers cannot stand to look at the website, you will not sell much.
The same is true if you have a service website too.
If your website is distracting your users from the information, it will not be in your company’s best interest.
It’s okay to use color, but please – tone it down!
There are many tips out there to help you design an attractive website that will appease your customers.
Keep it simple, yet attractive enough to draw viewers in.
If you find that you are not happy with your results, it may be time to bring in a professional – make sure you hire one who enforces your ideas.
Want more tips like this? Then sign up for my weekly newsletter - Solutions for Online Business Success.
Online Business Success is read around the world and is full of creative tips and practical strategies that will help you grow your online business at an accelerated rate!
When you sign up, you’ll join the tens of thousands of other entrepreneurs and small business owners who love receiving my business building and marketing tips delivered to them via email each week. So sign up today!
Have an awesome day!
Pam Lawhorne
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Simple website communicates it’s message clear and straight to its audience and in order to sell you need to get your audience involved by providing them with very useful information. Nice post!
Kendra@ Greg Habstritt recently posted..What the iEffect is, and Why it matters.. – Trusted Authority Formula Video 1
Thanks so much Kendra!
And I agree. That really is the main purpose, yet somehow most people miss that!
Thanks for the feedback!
Pam
Hi Pam, great post – what kind of importance to you put on calls-to-action above and below the fold?
Mike@SEO Blog recently posted..Linking in Copywriting
Mike-
As you will see on my website I put my emphasis for call to action both above and below the fold.
I do this because I want to catch people’s attention coming in and going out! You just never know! ;o)
Pam