Table of Content
- Introduction
- Defining the Purpose
- Working on Wireframes
- Write Less, Say More
- Focus should be on Usability
- Responsive Websites
- SEO Friendly Websites
- Eye-Catching Design and Color Scheme
- Use of Organic Shapes
- Use of Animation
- Compressed JavaScript and jQuery Code
- Use of Loader
- Consistency in Branding
- Collaboration with Clients
- Continuous Learning
- Conclusion
Introduction
As a web designer, you should know that Web design is not just about creating beautiful websites, it’s about creating effective sales tools. In order to build a website that produces leads and increases business growth, it’s important to define its purpose. Wireframes, the backbone of any web design project, should focus on the overall look and functionality before considering colors or text. With simplicity in mind, effective web designers identify what to include and what to remove. Usability should never be sacrificed for creativity and designers should consider users’ expectations when developing the site. Lastly, successful web designers continue to learn and evolve with the industry. Let’s dive into these habits in detail.
Defining the Purpose
The purpose of a website is crucial as it helps in keeping all the design features on track and telling a cohesive story to the user. Defining a purpose is important because it ensures that users land on the right page. For instance, an e-commerce site will be different from a fashion blog or a rail reservation site. Each of these sites requires a different structure and tone to cater to the specific audience. Knowing the purpose of a website ensures all the design features align with the project’s objective, keeping visitors engaged and interested in your service or product.
Working on Wireframes
Wireframes are an essential part of web development and design. They are essentially designs of a webpage with boxes representing each element on the page. The focus is not on colors or text, but on the overall look and function of the page. Wireframes are important as they help in keeping the design on track and ensuring that the purpose of the website is clear. Effective web designers always use wireframes before moving on to other aspects of website design. Tips for effective wireframing include keeping it simple and clear, considering the user experience, and focusing on functionality rather than aesthetics.
Write Less, Say More
When it comes to designing a website, less is often more. Keeping a site clean and uncluttered can be a powerful tool in attracting and retaining visitors. The key is to identify what’s essential to your site’s purpose and eliminate anything that doesn’t support that goal. Don’t be tempted to include every feature or widget just because it’s available. Instead, focus on creating a simple, intuitive user experience that guides your visitors toward your desired outcome. Remember, the key is to make it easy for visitors to take action, whether that means making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or contacting you for more information.
Focus should be on Usability
One of the key habits of highly successful web designers is focusing on usability. After all, what good is a website if it’s not user-friendly? When designing a website, it’s important to consider the expectations of web users. They want to be able to navigate a site easily, find what they’re looking for quickly, and have a positive overall experience. To improve usability, there are several tips that web designers can follow. For example, making sure that the website is intuitive and easy to understand, using clear navigation menus, and optimizing for mobile devices are all important steps. Additionally, designers should always keep user experience in mind, anticipating any potential issues and addressing them before they become a problem. By focusing on usability, web designers can create websites that not only look great but also function well and provide a positive experience for users.
Responsive Websites
Responsive websites are those that are designed and developed to fit on various devices’ screen sizes, including mobiles, tablets, and desktops. This type of design is essential as more people are accessing the internet through their smartphones. A user-friendly mobile experience increases the probability of customer retention on the website. It is also important from an SEO point of view as search engines prefer mobile-responsive websites. While designing these types of websites, designers must consider factors like cross-device compatibility and flexible images and layouts. By following a mobile-first approach and working on your website’s responsiveness, you will ensure you deliver a consistent excellent user experience across all devices.
SEO Friendly Websites
SEO is a crucial factor in web design. Making an attractive website is only half of the equation. A website that is optimized can rank higher in SERPs. Web designers should ensure that their website follows clear and logical URL formation, loads web pages rapidly, and contains relevant content based on desired keywords. SEO optimization should start from the design phase itself instead of adding it as an afterthought. Effective use of SEO can do wonders for a website, resulting in more traffic, leads, and customers. Keep in mind that your website is not only for human consumption but also for search engines like Google.
Eye-Catching Design and Color Scheme
Eye-catching design and color scheme are crucial in creating a lasting impression on website visitors. The right design and color scheme not only makes a website visually attractive but also helps in creating an emotional connection between the visitor and the website. The impact of appropriate design and color can determine whether a visitor stays on the website to explore its offerings or bounces off to another site. As a successful web designer, one must know how to create an engaging design that strikes a chord with the visitors. This includes using elements like contrast, typography, white space, and color psychology to create a design that is both aesthetic and functional. Remember, a design is not complete until it is visually appealing as well as user-friendly.
Use of Organic Shapes
Organic shapes are the new craze in the world of web designing. They are hand-drawn and provide a more personal touch to the website. These shapes appear more realistic and help to divert the viewer’s attention to the necessary aspects of the website. The perfect combination of organic shapes and illustrations is a match made in heaven. Incorporating organic shapes can enhance the visual appeal of a website and make it stand out from its competitors. Designers need to keep in mind that the shapes should complement the design, not overpower it. In web design, less is usually more, and the same applies to organic shapes. So, use them sparingly and wisely to create a website that’s engaging and visually appealing.
Use of Animation
Animation is an essential part of modern web design. It adds an interactive element to the website while improving user experience. Animation also helps to reduce the bounce rate of the web page. However, using animation in the wrong way can damage the website’s effectiveness. Therefore, it’s important to use animation effectively. Using animation, designers can instruct users on the functionality of a particular feature on the page. Animations must be strategically placed and must not feel overwhelming or unnecessary. For instance, using animation on the “call-to-action” button can grab the user’s attention and prompt them to take action. Animations can also be used as loaders to improve user experience. Designers must ensure that the animation they use is relevant to the website’s purpose and must avoid using too many animations that can distract users from the main content.
Compressed JavaScript and jQuery Code
Compressing JavaScript and jQuery code is an essential aspect of web design. Why? Because shorter code means faster page load times. And let’s be honest, no one has the patience to wait around for a slow-loading website. Luckily, compressing code can be easy, with tools available online to minify JavaScript and jQuery. The process involves removing spaces, comments and unnecessary characters from the code, while retaining its functionality. So, if you want to keep your visitors happy, compress your code and watch your website load lightning fast.
Use of Loader
Loaders or preloaders are a web designer’s best bet to keep their visitors engaged while the content is loading. Nobody likes staring at a blank screen while waiting for a website to load. A loader is like a progress bar that indicates that the website is loading. It adds that extra zing to your website and makes it all the more visually appealing. Moreover, visitors are more likely to stay longer on a website with a loader which decreases the bounce rate of that page. So, ensure that your loader compliments the overall web design and does not clash with what you want to convey. Use loaders effectively and watch your conversion rates skyrocket.
Consistency in Branding
Consistency in branding is crucial for web design. A website is often the first point of contact with potential customers, which makes it essential to maintain brand consistency throughout the website. Maintaining a similar look and feel across a website can make a big difference in increasing brand recall and awareness. From choosing the right fonts and colors to the use of logos and imagery, everything should reflect the brand’s core values. Consistency in branding also makes the website look more professional and credible. It’s therefore important for web designers to pay attention to this aspect of web design to ensure that the website stays true to the brand’s identity.
Collaboration with Clients
Collaboration is a crucial part of web design. Without collaboration, the design might go off-track from client’s vision. It is really important to keep clients involved and informed throughout the design process. Establishing effective communication channels is a prime factor for this. By setting goals and deadlines together, a designer can gain insight into how to best approach the project to satisfy them. It also helps in building trust with clients and fosters a healthy relationship. It is also important to know how to convey suggestions and ideas to clients. By incorporating client feedback and collaborating with them, the designer can ensure a successful outcome.
Continuous Learning
The world of technology is constantly evolving, and so is the web design industry. As a highly successful web designer, it is essential to stay updated on the latest trends and technology. Continuous learning not only allows you to stay competitive, but also helps you deliver valuable services to clients. Attend workshops, take courses, and keep yourself updated with new technologies and techniques to stay ahead in the game. By embracing a growth mindset, you can find new and innovative ways to solve design problems. After all, in this ever-changing digital landscape, if you stop learning, you will stop growing.
Conclusion
Successful web designers understand the importance of defining a clear purpose, wireframing, simplicity, usability, responsiveness, SEO, engaging design, and more. They collaborate effectively with clients, maintain brand consistency, and continuously learn. But perhaps most importantly, they never lose sight of the fact that a website is a sales tool. So if you’re ready to be a successful web designer, keep these habits in mind, and always remember to focus on what really matters.
