By Evie Harrison
Guest Contributor
Today, everything is digital. Those days are gone when you could run a business without being present online. Now, having a website is a must. However, merely having a website is not enough. The site also needs to be visually appealing and optimized.
A study was conducted to gauge the importance of website design. It was found that 94% of negative feedback was generated due to issues in the website’s design. Moreover, since most people today access sites through their smartphones, over 84% believed that the visual appeal of the website on the mobile version is significant. Moreover, 94% of the first impression regarding business is formed due to the website design.
All of this points to one thing, and, i.e., you need to make sure your website is visually appealing. Here are some of the key features your website must have to be aesthetically pleasing.
1. Less Content/clutter
You might be tempted to offer all information possible through your website. However, it is crucial to note that too much information is bound to overwhelm your audience. People are likely to become more confused if you provide them with a lot of choice and tabs.
Making your website visually appealing doesn’t mean using fancy templates. It means making it eye-catching for the audience. And you might be surprised, but most users prefer simplicity and less content.
Look at your website design. Ask yourself if you are sharing too much information. Does your traffic need to know it all? No? If so, then delete it all. Don’t clutter your template with redundant information. Instead, opt for a simple and classy design. This will help your website look sophisticated. At the same time, the simpler the template is, the easier it will be for your users to navigate their way through the site.
Don’t be afraid of having white space in your website. No. White space doesn’t have to be white. It merely refers to space that doesn’t have any information. Blank areas and space between letters and images make a site more appealing to the eye since it allows people to focus on what matters.
2. Brand your site with the help of a logo
The significance of a logo cannot be stressed enough. Branding is crucial for every business, regardless of what mode of communication you are using. Why do logos matter? Well, they help in creating recognition of your brand. How else will your users recognize your product or service if they see it elsewhere?
Including your logo on your website is a must. This is true regardless of whether you are aiming for a visually appealing site or not. However, if you play your cards right, your logo can be the driving force in creating an impactful website. How so? Well, make sure your logo is eye-catching. To do so, look for a professional logo design service to create your logo. This will not just come in handy with your website design. Instead, it will make a difference in all your marketing communications and branding efforts.
While we are at it, remember to create a logo that doesn’t lose its meaning regardless of its size. This ensures that you can use its full size in the home page and smaller versions in other landing pages.
3. Colorful design rather than black and white template
Did you know that almost 84.7% of customers base their decision on buying a product on its color? Colored text is read 42% more often than black and white text. This is why opting for colors in your website is necessary. Black and white website ooze monotony. And that is a mood you don’t want to set.
Color is the first thing that is noticed by the masses. It increases the chances of your communication being read and understood. So, which color should you include on your website? Well, there is no hard and fast rule regarding it. You can choose to base your website color on your logo colors or select a color you think will best attract the attention of your users.
Remember, different colors mean different things. Red symbolizes urgency while purple showcases royalty. Research about the meaning of each color and decide what tone you want to set.
4. Images matter
Nothing says aesthetically pleasing like high-quality images. Another insight gathered about the millennials is that we prefer images more than text. After all, the life of today is very fast-paced. People now have an attention span of fewer than five seconds. No one has the time to read through verbose pieces of texts.
This is why whenever you can, always replace the text on your website with images. If you wish to relay statistics to showcase the importance of your product, do so via infographics. Make everything possible into a picture. If you do so, the chances of people actually retaining information offered on your website will increase.
To ensure visual appeal, always choose pictures that have a high resolution. They shouldn’t stand out from the rest of your site. Instead, images should follow the style of your website. Images that blend in with the rest of the design seem like they belong in the website rather than looking like as if they are added later. Also, never use stock photos!
5. Videos always help
Embedding a compelling and attention catching short video inevitably attract users. For instance, rather than describing your product through text, you can add a video which helps your users in seeing it all first-hand. This makes your website look sophisticated and helpful.
However, videos are costly to make. If you don’t have a budget for it, you can do without it. But, if you do have the money, videos surely add the extra oomph to your website.
Conclusion
Don’t underestimate the significance of your website design. First impressions are always important. The visual appeal of your site can drive sales. The last thing you would want is to lose out on customers because of your website. Pay attention to it and excel.
Evie harrison is a blogger by choice. She loves to discover the world around her. She likes to share her discoveries, experiences and express herself through her blogs. Find her on Twitter:@iamevieharrison