10 Dos and Don'ts for Web Design
Before designing a website, you will need to keep these Dos and Don’ts in your mind! These will help with making smart choices about your website.
Website Layout
Don’t try to reinvent the wheel
Do use UX standards for friendly browsing.
When you structure your layout follow UX recommendations (user experience) to make sure that your visitors enjoy a smooth browsing. You need to make sure your sites navigation is clear and straightforward and that all the links and buttons work.
Background Visuals
Don’t choose a background that is distracting
Do choose a background that will make your visitors want to come back!
Whether you go with vectors, photos or videos make sure your background is not distracting from your websites main purposes. Make sure you have a strong contrast between the text and the background as the purpose is to highlight your message and not take away from it.
Mobile Design
Don’t forget your site needs to work on mobile screens.
Do optimise images, texts or other components for mobile viewing.
You need to make sure all your images and text fits onto a mobile screen and nothing is cut off.
Space Distribution
Don’t clutter the screen
Do consider content hierarchy, also use white space to air your site.
When designing your site make sure you don’t overcrowd the screen with content because your visitors might miss out on important information. You can also use white to create a nice flow between site elements.
Colour Scheme
Don’t select colours based on your favourites
Do make smart colour combinations
The psychological impact of colours on your site visitors can influence what they think of your website and the way they perceive your brand, which is why you can’t base your colour scheme on a random combination of colours you like. If you make informed choices about your sites colour palette then your website will reward you with an amazing online presence.
Image Quality
Don’t settle for basic/extreme quality.
Do use high quality images.
To make sure your website visitors take your website seriously make sure your images are high quality! You don’t have to leave it at that though you can use cropping and filters to optimize your images further to make them perfect.
Stock Images
Don't be cheesy
Do try to create a relatable vice.
The best way to make your website relatable is to pick stock photos of people and situations that you and the visitors can relate to. Your visitors would much rather establish a trust with a website that caters to real people.
Animations, GIFs and Effects
Don’t turn your site into a 1970s music video
Do use elements that add some motion to your site
If you use these excessively then you are ruining your website where as if you use them correctly then you will have a dynamic and vibrant website!
Fonts
Don’t assume they’re all the same
Do research fonts that help your branding
As a website owner you need to know how fonts work and what ones to choose. Different fonts will raise different cultural and mental associations which will then generate a particular atmosphere. Your font should strengthen your website, not contradict it.
