User Experience (UX) Tips

What Makes A Great Web Design?

Marais Roos
May 27, 2024

This blog post explores the key elements of great web design for small businesses, including user-centered design, responsiveness, minimalism, fast loading times, SEO, multimedia, branding, and accessibility. With examples from top websites like Slack and Airbnb, it provides actionable insights for creating visually appealing and high-performing websites. Ideal for small business owners and web designers alike, the post also includes a call to action to schedule a consultation.

In today’s digital age, a strong online presence is crucial for small businesses. Your website is often the first interaction potentialcustomers have with your brand, making it a vital component of your marketing strategy. But what exactly makes a web design great? Let’s explore the key elements that can elevate your website from good to outstanding, with a focuson the needs of small businesses.

The Apple website makes use of intuitive navigation, making it a great example of user-centred design.

User-Centred Design

At the heart of any great web design is the user. A user-centred design ensures that visitors to your site can easily find what they’re looking for and have a pleasant experience navigating through your pages. This means intuitive navigation, clear calls to action, and a layout that guides the user seamlessly through their journey.

Key points

·       Intuitive Navigation

Ensure your menu is easy to find and use. Limit the number of menu items to the essentials.

·       Clear Calls to Action (CTAs)

Guide users towards the actions you want them to take, such as contacting you, making a purchase, or signing up for a newsletter.

·       Consistent Layout

Keep a consistent layout throughout your site to help users know where they are and how to get back to the main pages.

Responsive web design is when a website is automatically resized to make it look good on all devices (desktops, tablets, and phones.)

Responsiveness

With the majority of web traffic now coming from mobile devices, having a responsive design is no longer optional. A responsive design adapts to different screen sizes and orientations, providing an optimal viewing experience whether your visitors are on a desktop, tablet, or smartphone.

Key Points

·       Flexible Grids and Layouts

Use a flexible grid system that adjusts the layout based on the screen size.

·       Responsive Images and Media

Ensure that images and videos scale properly on all devices.

·       Mobile-First Approach

Design for the smallest screen first and thenscale up. This ensures that the essential elements of your site are always prioritized.

Dropbox is an excellent example of a minimalistic and clean web design.

Minimalistic and Clean Design

Less is often more when it comes to web design. A minimalistic approach not only looks modern and professional but also helps users focus on what’s important. This is especially important for small businesses, where conveying your message clearly and quickly can make all the difference.

Key Points

·       Whitespace

Don’t be afraid of empty space. Whitespace helps to separate different elements on the page and makes your content more readable.

·       Simple Colour Schemes

Stick to a limited colour palette to maintain a clean and cohesive look.

·       Readable Typography

Choose fonts that are easy to read on all devices. Limit the number of fonts used to keep the design clean.

Fast load times for a website has a lot of benefits, better user experience, SEO and sales are just a few.

Fast Loading Times

Speed matters. A slow website can frustrate users and lead to higher bounce rates. Ensuring your site loads quickly is crucial forretaining visitors and improving your search engine ranking.

Key Points

·       Optimize Images

Compress images without losing quality to reduce load times.

·       Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN)

Distribute your content across multiple servers to improve load times for global users.

·       Minimize HTTP Requests

Reduce the number of elements on your page to decrease the number of requests the browser needs to make.

SEO is the practice of improving your website to increase its visibility when people search for things related to your business on Google, Bing and other search engines.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

A great web design isn’t just about aesthetics—it also needs to be discoverable. SEO is the practice of optimizing your site to rank higher in search engine results, making it easier for potential customers to find you.

Key Points

·       Keyword Research

Identify the keywords your target audienceis searching for and incorporate them naturally into your content.

·       Meta Tags

Use relevant meta titles and descriptions for each page to improve visibility on search engines.

·       Quality Content

Regularly update your site with valuable content that addresses the needs and interests of your audience.

Incorporating multimedia, such as images and video into your website is a great way to connect with your audience.

Effective Use of Multimedia

Multimedia elements like images, videos, and graphics can enhance the user experience and make your website more engaging. However, they should be used thoughtfully to complement your content rather than overwhelm it.

Key Points

·       Relevant Images

Use high-quality images that are relevant to your content and brand.

·       Videos

Incorporate videos to explain complex concepts or showcase your products and services.

·       Interactive Elements

Consider adding interactive elements likes liders or animations to keep users engaged.

A strong brand on your website takes into account all your elements, such as logo, colours, voice, tone, and unique selling proposition.

Strong Branding

Your website should reflect your brand’s identity and values. Consistent branding across your website helps build trust and recognition with your audience.

Key Points

·       Logo and Colours

Use your logo and brand colours consistently throughout your site.

·       Voice and Tone

Ensure the content on your site reflects your brand’s voice and tone.

·       Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

Clearly communicate what makes your business unique and why customers should choose you.

Making sure your website is accessible to all users, no matter age or disabilities, ensures you engage with a wide range of potential customers.

Accessibility

A great web design is accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities. Implementing accessibility best practice sensures that your site can be used by a wider audience and demonstrates your commitment to inclusivity.

Key Points

·       Alt Text for Images

Provide descriptive alt text for images to aid users with screen readers.

·       Keyboard Navigation

Ensure that all interactive elements can be accessed via keyboard.

·       Readable Text

Use sufficient contrast between text and background colours for readability.

Examples of great web designs

Slack's home page is an excellent example of a great web design.

Slack

Slack's website is known for its vibrant and engaging design. It uses clear and concise messaging, intuitive navigation, andresponsive design to provide a seamless user experience across all devices.

Airbnb is another example of great web design.

Airbnb

Airbnb’s website features a minimalistic and user-friendly design. It effectively uses high-quality images, easy navigation, and a clean layout to enhance the user experience and highlight their services.

Conclusion

Creating a great web design is a blend of art and science.By focusing on user-centred design, responsiveness, minimalism, speed, SEO, effective use of multimedia, strong branding, and accessibility, you can create a website that not only looks great but also performs exceptionally well.

Ready to elevate your online presence? Schedule a consultation with us today and let's create a website that truly reflects the greatness of your business.

Roos Web Design Logo - dark

Ready to Elevate Your Online Presence?

Sign up now to get your free e-book and start transforming your online presence today!

Related Blog Posts

If you enjoyed this post, you might find these blog post interesting as well.

Frequently asked questions

Find answers to common questions about our web design and development processes.

What topics do your blog posts cover?

Our blog covers a wide range of topics related to web design, development trends, digital marketing strategies, UX/UI insights, and industry best practices. We aim to provide valuable information and actionable tips for businesses looking to enhance their online presence.

How often do you publish new blog posts?

We strive to publish new blog posts regularly to keep our content fresh and relevant. Our posting schedule typically includes weekly updates, although this may vary based on current trends, industry news, and client needs.

Can I submit guest posts or collaborate on blog content?

We welcome guest posts and collaboration opportunities with industry experts, thought leaders, and fellow professionals. If you're interested in contributing to our blog or exploring partnership opportunities, please reach out to us through our contact page.

Do you offer web design services for specific industries or niches?

Yes, we specialize in providing web design services tailored to various industries and niches. Whether you're in e-commerce, healthcare, finance, education, or any other sector, our team can create customized solutions to meet your unique needs and goals.