3 Important Design Principles for Building Better Websites

As technology develops, user habits will regularly change—something many businesses in Winnipeg are beginning to understand. Though web design practices do evolve at a rapid pace, the principles behind them rarely ever do. Even with all the developments in technology, it is important to have a good grasp of these principles to make better web design decisions for your business and for your customers. 

You might ask, “Well, what are the principles every web designer should adhere to?” Worry not; this article will provide the answers to that very question. With no further ado, here are the principles of good web design:

1. Do not make users think

Every single part of your website should be easy to understand, from your landing page to your checkout page. If your user has to make a conscious decision about where to go on your website, you will likely lose precious customers. The more questions a user might have about your website or offerings, the less likely they are to buy it. 

To that end, it is crucial to use the right visual cues and design techniques that lead them to your desired results in as few clicks as possible. 

2. Don’t test your users’ patience

In person-to-person marketing, customers are far more likely to buy a product if they’ve held it in their hands. The same can be said of software and services. If your users are able to try it before they buy it, they are more likely to pay for the premium service. 

It is generally beneficial to avoid asking customers to fill in long web forms for accounts they might never use again. Do not ask them to do so before they’ve had a chance to explore your website or try your service. Even when they have to make a purchase, it might be beneficial to allow Guest Checkout if it’s possible to make the process faster for them.

3. Maintain the attention of users

Humans are inherently visual. Web designers who are aware of how the brain works to process visual information can use this to great effect on a website. Using a balance of imagery, text, and negative space (also known as white space), you can emphasize and draw the user’s focus to certain actions, such as clicking on a product, a call-to-action button, and so on. 

The key here is balance. Employing too many videos or gifs and overpopulating your website can make it visually confusing and unappealing. It might also be difficult for users to decide their next action, especially if there are too many buttons to click on. 

In conclusion 

These are just three of the most important and obvious principles of web design. There are quite a few more, but these three could prove to be a good basis for understanding the discipline of web design. Whatever industry you might serve, and whatever offerings you might have, an understanding of the concepts of design can only help you conduct business in more profitable ways. 

If you’re looking for a Winnipeg-based web designer to help with your website, send us a message at Hello Digital Marketing. We have the expertise it takes to take your brand and website to the next level.