By Irfan Ahmed Khan
Simplicity rules big time. Your website might be the most beautiful website on the planet but unless your website design is easy to navigate and interesting, it won’t do good for anyone. Too often it seems difficult to simplify your website for your visitors. Business owners often find it difficult to exactly point out what is wrong with the design until it’s too late.
So, what exactly is the simplicity of website design that can help you boost traffic and increase the time spent on the website?
First, please note, that a simple website design is not about having many pages; it is about reducing the number of pages and getting the best out of your website design. Here are a few website design tips to help you simplify your website while making it grab attention and visitors.
1. Start with the Essential Elements
For anything to succeed you need to plan it first. Start with the most essential elements. This might seem a simple task but, it is the most difficult one. Every day tons of websites are shutting down because they don’t have proper direction. Prioritize the things that need to be done first.
Essential elements usually include navigation, contact information, a search bar, help/support area, or anything else the customer needs to use your website. When you include these essential elements, your conversation rate and the traffic will improve.
2. Use the 80-20 Rule
The 80-20 rule is a popular rule that can help you create better websites. What it means in website design is that you need to place the necessary elements front and center. For instance, you can use testimonials or social proof to grab the attention of the user. Or you can use persuasive call-to-action buttons.
On every page, focus on one thing that will cover your 20%. But make sure you use that 20% to create the right impact. Those 20% elements, when used effectively, will be able to grab 80% of your user-attention. As mentioned earlier, on every page you need to focus on one big thing. For landing pages, it can be solving a problem. For promotion pages, it can be call-to-action buttons.
3. Avoid Unnecessary Elements
Not everything on the website will grab the attention of your user, but what if the one thing they are looking for gets lost in the midst of everything else that is present on the website? You need to know what white spaces are unnecessary and which design elements are irritating and driving users away.
Many websites focus on their products and their story, while all users want is to know whom to contact if they have questions or want to make a purchase.
4. Use Content that Makes People Think
For you to succeed, you need to increase the effectiveness of your website. There are millions of websites out there but how can your website stand out in the crowd. Again and again studies show that a good content can drive more traffic and create better engagement than simple text placed on your website. Only content can make you above the fold. You need to make sure that your content is relevant and meaningful for your website users.
5. Use a Consistent Color Theme
Some small business owners ignore the fact that you need consistency when building your brand, including the color scheme you choose. To choose successfully, you need to study the psychology of color.
And yes, colors do create meaning. So, while choosing colors, make sure you plan the theme of the website as it relates to your brand.
Last, but not least…
It doesn’t matter if you have a website design agency or you’re starting out as a fresh college student, you need to make sure that you follow the tips mentioned in this blog. As you grow your business, you will realize how important it is to design a website that people love to visit every day.
