5 Tips to Master Web Design in 2020
August 13, 2019
Web design may change based on current trends, but the basics remain the same. Aesthetics and functionality are the most important features of any website. As 2019 begins to close its doors to a new year, it’s a good idea to brush up on the ideals that make a good website into a great one.
Whether you run an ecommerce site or a brick and mortar shop with a webpage as backup, there are 5 things you can do to make your website shine. Here are the top tips for web design in 2020.
1. Align Everything Left: It’s a common misconception that all font, imagery, and video needs to be centered on a web page. Not so. In fact, centering all that information is going to make our page appear disproportioned. Instead, focus on keeping your information left aligned.
Think about it this way: in North America, at least, we’re trained to read left to right. So, where do you think a consumer’s eye will be drawn first? Probably to the left of the screen, scanning for information, photos, and other data which will tell them what they need to know about your brand and products.
Don’t be confined by the left align rule. It’s more of a guideline to keep things looking crisp, clean, and uniform. You can absolutely shy away on some pages, or use multiple alignments to fit all the data you wish to include in your web page.
2. Forget the Jargon and Use Plain English: Your customers aren’t part of your industry; otherwise, they’d shop from themselves. So, using jargon to describe products and services will only confuse or disinterest potential customers. Instead, use plain, simple language to express who you are, what you sell, and why consumers should choose you.
Reading industry terminology on a website only reflects to a consumer that they are an outsider. Shoppers don’t want to feel like outsiders, they want to feel like part of the brand. Shopping with your company is a personal choice, so including the customer in the experience by using familiar language makes it more enjoyable for everyone.
3. Get Personal with Your Customers: This is a consumer’s market. What does that mean? It means the customer is king in a big way. Consumers are educating themselves before they shop, and it means that to be the best in your industry you need to stand out. A great way to stay above the competition is by introducing what makes you different. How is your business unique? It has you and your team, and your unique story. Use these factors to your benefit by incorporating a little personal information in your web page.
When a customer feels a personal connection with a website, it’s more likely they’ll want to get involved and stay involved. Building brand loyalty is a big part of a successful business, and when a consumer sees your brand in a human light, rather than an industrial one, it goes a long way.
Offer video tours of the office, a “day in the life of” blog updates, photos of the team at local functions, and other visual representation of who you are and how you fit in your community. For businesses with both an online and brick and mortar presence, this local connection will impress the importance of supporting small businesses and encourage locals to shop with you over a competitor.
4. Use Visual Aids: A huge factor in the success of website aesthetics comes down to imagery. The photos and clipart you choose will either encourage customers to shop or deter them. The imagery should be inviting, bright, and above all – high quality. Low quality graphics with grainy resolutions only make your website appear cheap, outdated, or under poor management. Instill confidence in your customers by using up to date, relevant photos with great resolution.
Mix up the visuals to entice customers and keep things fresh. Rather than adding a simple image to each page, try a video clip or an infographic. Web design is all about the visual appeal of the information you’re sharing. If you can make it unique and enticing, consumers are more likely to read what you have to say.
5. Put Important Details Up Front: Rather than beating around the proverbial bush where content is concerned, put the important details in plain sight. If you have a point to make on each page of your website, make it clearly, and make it pop. For example, if you’ve got a page about products and you want customers to take special notice to sale items, use a bold or multicolored font to announce the products on sale. This will draw the eye and show the customer what you want them to see.
They say most internet users will spend 3-seconds or less deciding if a page has the information they’re looking for. If you want that 3-seconds to extend into minutes and more, be sure the information your customers are seeking is clearly visible.
These are just a few of the simple tips that can make an underwhelming website a successful one. If you’re starting a new site or updating an old one, consider aligning left, using simple language, being personal, using images, and making important information visible. If you use these 5 web design tactics on your website in 2020, the rest is just icing on the cake.