Your website is the first impression that you have of potential clients or customers. You have one chance to grab them and convince them to stay. If your website looks unprofessional, cluttered, outdated, or boring then they are going to leave it. But if your site is clean, professional looking with well-organized content in an exciting layout then they will spend time on your site exploring what you offer. If this sounds like something you need for your own website I’ve got 15 tips that will make sure your site stands out from the crowd!
1. Use a grid
A layout powered by a grid is going to make your website clean and organized, two qualities that any client will love. Using columns with even spacing between them makes the page look sleek and professional. If you use a programming language such as HTML or CSS then there are multiple ways of implementing this in your design. If you use a CMS (Content Management System) like WordPress, there is even an easy step-by-step option for creating a grid.
2. Use imagery
It has been proven that people respond better to visual stimulation than they do to text stimuli alone. A page with no images might be very clean and organized but will not hold the reader’s attention. Using imagery in your website design can help capture their eye and keep them on your site longer.
3. Be consistent with colors
You want to hire a certain look, but you don’t love all of it? That is okay, just be consistent. Have some colors that you prefer more than others, but use them throughout your website so that it has a cohesive look. This will help keep your clients on your site longer, and make it more visually appealing.
4. Make it responsive
In today’s ever-changing world of technology you have to be sure that your website will look just as amazing no matter what device the user is viewing it from. As more and more people go mobile, a non-responsive site can quickly turn away a customer who is searching for something on their phone or tablet.
5. Use typography to your advantage
Select the right fonts and use them in the correct way and you can make a powerful statement with just a few words. Typography can be used to create hierarchy, giving different pieces of text more or less importance. It can also add visual interest and help to control the overall mood of the website.
6. Use white space (or negative space)
Negative space is such an important concept that it has its own term! It’s all the area of your design that doesn’t have any content on it, and can easily be used to dramatically improve the look of your website. White space is a great way to make your content stand out, or where you can insert images for even more emphasis.
7. Simplicity sells
If someone is looking at a website and they don’t know what it’s about within 30 seconds then they are going to leave. Keep things clean, simple and highly visible so that people will find what they are looking for in a timely manner.
8. Don’t assume your client knows what you mean
When writing content for your site there is always the chance that it might be misinterpreted by the reader. Avoid jargon, unfamiliar industry terms or any other phrases that someone may have to look up in order to understand them. It is always better to be safe than sorry and to make sure that your content is easy to read and understand.
9. Stick to a style
If you want your website to look professional then you need to maintain a certain level of consistency with your design. This means using the same fonts, colors, and layout throughout the site. It also means being very careful with your choice of images.
10. Navigation is key
One of the most important aspects of any website is the way in which users can move around it. Navigation should be easy to find and use, and always located in the same spot. This will help keep your visitors on your site longer, and make it easier for them to navigate.
11. Don’t compromise with quality
If you want your website to look amazing then it needs to be designed and created by a professional web design company. Whether you use a creative agency like Junk or Junkie Creative , or work directly with a freelancer, never give in and let the site fall below what is expected. Your website is the first impression you make, so make sure it’s a good one!
12. Use animation wisely
Animation can be a great way to add visual interest to your website, but it should be used sparingly. Too much animation can quickly become overwhelming and distracting for the user. Animated elements should only be used for adding emphasis and breaking up long pieces of text.
13. Test it
When you launch a new website the best way to get feedback is from customers that haven’t seen it before. This means that you should always have your site in beta, or ask some friends or family members to provide feedback when they visit for the first time. This will help you to catch any glaring errors or problems with the design before they become too noticeable.
14. Stick to a schedule
If you want your website to be constantly updated with fresh content then you need to have a content plan and stick to it. This means creating a schedule for yourself that includes both writing and publishing new articles, as well as adding new products or services to the site. It can be a lot of work, but it will be worth it in the long run.
15. Keep learning
The best way to keep your website looking fresh and updated is to never stop learning. This means keeping up with the latest design trends, reading blogs and tutorials, and experimenting with new ideas. The web design industry is constantly evolving, so it’s important to stay ahead of the curve if you want to keep your website looking its best.
These are just a few tips to help make your website more effective. By following these guidelines you can create a site that is clean, organized, and easy to use, which will keep your visitors coming back for more. And always remember, the key is to keep learning and experimenting so that your website can stay ahead of the curve.
Conclusion
The tips we’ve given can help you make your website more effective and easier to use. These insights are actionable, easy-to-implement suggestions that will get you started on the right foot with your digital marketing strategy. If it sounds like too much work for one person to tackle these ideas alone, don’t worry! Our team of experts at BrainTrust Marketing is ready to partner with you in order to create a stellar SEO or PPC campaign that drives sales by considering how people think when they visit websites. Have any of these 15 cognitive neuroscience principles increased your product sales online?