A strong online presence is non-negotiable for businesses in this digital era. This is why creating a visually appealing yet accessible website is essential for businesses. To achieve this, businesses need to know the features of good web design. Want to know more? Let’s dive deep into 10 principles of good web design that will help web designers craft engaging effective websites. Gain insights into mastering these principles and how they can benefit professionals in the field!
Top 10 Principles of Good Web Design
- Establish Purpose: Every website needs to have a clear-cut goal. Is it to sell products and services? Or share information? Or is it created with the sole intention of providing entertainment? Understanding the purpose helps designers create a layout that aligns with the brand’s story and selling point. Professionals who understand this principle can create visually aligned designs that showcase all the features of a good web design. They can communicate effectively and ensure that the end design resonates with the target audience.
- User-Centricity: The designer must consider the end user when creating websites. Knowing their needs, preferences and behaviours by carefully considering available data can help create an optimum layout, navigation and overall experience. Understanding this principle helps professionals increase user satisfaction and customer retention by enhancing their experience. The website owner or client benefits from a user-centric web design.
- Keeping it Simple: The mantra is to keep a design clean, simple and uncluttered. This enhances usability and readability. Clutter can overwhelm the user and not give them the most important details of the website. Professionals skilled in keeping things simple can prioritise essential content and create intuitive web designs. This approach improves user satisfaction and reduces bounce rates, contributing to the success of the website.
- Consistency is Key: One of the most important principles of good web design is to keep design elements consistent. The colours, fonts, layouts, etc., must come together cohesively and create a distinct look across the website. Professionals who understand the importance of keeping things consistent can establish style guides and systems that can reinforce brand identity. Visual aids are a big part of customer attraction because the colour, font and layout can instil familiarity and ease in customers. This facilitates a customer-friendly approach and easier use.
- Visual Hierarchy: Clear visual hierarchy is an important feature of a good web design. The idea is to prioritise content based on its importance. Headers and calls to action in bigger, bold font, typography for important news and colour contrast while talking about different things are all some examples. Professionals skilled in the visual hierarchy can effectively organize content and lead users through the website in a logical manner, improving usability and engagement.
- Device Compatibility: People use different devices to access websites. Making these web pages compatible with mobiles, tabs, laptops and computers is essential to ensure every potential audience segment is reached. Responsive design techniques allow websites to adapt more seamlessly. The key is to maximise accessibility for the customer.
- Accessibility: One of the most important principles of good web design is accessibility. It means to provide the ability to users of all kinds to check out the website. Alternative text for images, keyboard navigation, audio aid, compatibility with screen readers, etc., are some examples. Professionals who prioritize accessibility can create inclusive and equitable digital experiences, complying with legal requirements and demonstrating a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Speed: If a website is slow-loading, it can frustrate users and increase the bounce rate because they switched to a different website. This can impact conversion rates. Optimise the images, minimise the code and leverage the right cache techniques to improve website speed. Professionals with a good understanding of code can enhance user experience and improve website rankings.
- Readability: Readability is a big part of a good website. There are many features of good web design that back up this fact, like using the F or the Z pattern when placing text and images. That means to arrange text or images in the way our eyes flow most naturally (which is in the shape of either F or Z). Other aspects like font sizes, line spacing and contrast ratios also enhance readability and create accessible websites.
- Feedback Reception: Continuous feedback is essential for improving the website over a longer period. Monitoring user data and analytics, conducting usability tests, etc., can help identify areas where the website may not be as seamless and provide scope for improvement. Adapting to user needs and preferences can ensure sustained success of the organisation, improving a professional’s credibility in the workplace. They ensure that the website stays relevant in the long run.
Understanding the principles of good web design arms professionals with the skills to create visually appealing, user-friendly and effective websites that meet the needs of both the clients and the users. The right education can empower students and professionals to gain hands-on experience and provide the right web designs for their clients. Studying different web designs and learning how to improve user experience in a classroom will translate to optimal designs in the workplace. The Bachelor of Computer Applications Online Degree Programme at Manipal University Jaipur will prepare students for the real and dynamic world of web design, with an advanced course curriculum and one-on-one mentorship from some of the most experienced faculty in the country. The idea of a good web design is to establish the story of the brand, what it wishes to sell and how it directs those who visit its website towards purchasing the product or service. By learning the features of a good web design, students and future web designers can capture and grow the target audience, leading to long-term organisational success.
