Creating a website is the first step to creating an online presence, but there’s more to it than simply publishing the URL on social media and calling it a day. Web design can be very tricky, especially if you’re new to the field. But with this guide on Web Design you’ll learn how to create an attractive website that makes people want to visit time and time again!
Planning The Different Elements
In order to create a professional-looking website, you’ll need to plan out different elements of your design. Although designing and creating your own website may seem like an intimidating task, it’s actually quite easy. One of the most important things when creating any website is planning ahead. You need to have an idea of what your target audience looks like, what they want, and how they will interact with you or your product in order for you to make design decisions later on. These are all questions which can be answered through research or by talking with potential clients.
Getting a Domain Name
Before you can create your website, you’ll need to register a domain name. You can do so through GoDaddy, Namecheap or any number of other domain registrars (domains usually cost around $10 per year). Before purchasing, be sure your name is available and hasn’t already been taken. If it has been taken by someone else, contact them and ask for permission to use it—most people will let you use their site for free if you mention them on yours. Some companies may charge an extra fee for allowing others to use their URL.
Selecting the Right Hosting Provider
When you’re first getting started with your website, it can be tempting to choose a cheap host and run with it. You don’t want to start spending too much money on things you think you might need right now. However, like buying real estate, hosting is an investment. It will cost you more up front (and over time) if you buy cheap than if you invest in quality hosting from day one.
Creating A Simple Wireframe
A wireframe is an outline of your site. Many designers prefer working with wireframes because they’re easy to edit, and often help focus attention on what’s important. It may sound like overkill, but even if you already have a sketch of your site in hand, creating another one can be helpful (and fun!).
Understanding The Difference Between User Interface and User Experience
While UI and UX are often used interchangeably, they aren’t exactly synonymous. Both user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) have distinct meanings. User Interface (UI) is about how something looks, but it doesn’t address how easy it is to interact with an application or system or even how good it feels interacting with an application or system.
How Can Your Customers Reach You?
Clearly label your contact information on every page of your website. Provide an email address and phone number for potential customers to reach you. If you’re using social media as part of your business strategy, add links to these platforms prominently on every page of your site. When potential customers can get in touch with you, they are more likely to contact you about their needs. That means more leads and more sales for your business!
Outlining Your Important Pages
Before you begin designing your website, it’s important to have an idea of what pages you want on your site. That’s why we recommend starting by writing down all of your priority pages and then moving on to secondary pages. For example, if you own a coffee shop with locations in different cities, you’d want pages listing off all of your locations, as well as information about each location. You may also want pages explaining what services your business offers (i.e., lattes), or maybe even photos of some cool latte art made by baristas at some of your locations!
Think About Your Site’s Navigation
Navigation is key for site usability. If your users can’t find their way around your site easily, they’ll become frustrated and leave—and you want them to stay! The easiest way to do so is by keeping things simple and consistent when it comes to navigation. Use buttons or links as your main means of navigation; avoid drop-down menus (though they can be effective on mobile sites) or other complicated interfaces. Consistency is also important—if you use both buttons and links, try using all buttons or all links at once; either one should work just fine. When it comes time for new features, remember that any major changes to your site should come with a reset button or link, so old visitors aren’t completely lost.
Is The Amount Of Information Relevant To The Visitors?
One of your primary goals when designing a website is to provide an aesthetic experience. To make sure your site looks professional, you should choose colors that are attractive and appropriate for your site’s subject matter. Choosing complimentary colors (colors directly across from each other on the color wheel) can often help create a sense of harmony. You can also use contrasting or complementary colors (colors opposite each other on the color wheel) to draw attention to important points or features. Although too many different colors can be distracting, there’s no such thing as using too few—using just one or two colors in your design helps people focus on key elements without being overwhelmed by visual noise.
Choosing An Appropriate Color Scheme For Your Website
There are some guidelines when it comes to choosing an appropriate color scheme for your website. First, avoid using more than three different colors. Second, make sure one of those colors isn’t black or grey unless it’s being used as a background color. Last, try and incorporate some white space and contrast into your design; you don’t want users squinting at small fonts all day long. These tips should help you choose an effective color scheme for your site!
