What makes good web design

A Guide to good Website Design

Although on the surface web design looks fairly easy it does require specialised skills and knowledge to create an effective website that actually works for your business.

Serious Web Design involves several major skill sets at one time including, creative visual/graphic design, computer programming, usability skills/knowledge and page layout skills.

More than just visuals

Web Design isn’t just about the ‘visual design’ of the pages (the most often cited criteria of judgement). Whilst a website has to be visually appealing, it also has to comply with more than ‘looking nice’ if it is to serve as a business tool and deliver a return on its investment.

After all, businesses generally only invest in any product or service if there is a tangible return on their investment. Sadly, many businesses do not consider this when commissioning a website, and opt for the ‘looks nice to me’ option with little or no regard to the real business issues such as:

Functionality

Is your site anything more than just a brochure online?

Usability

Can your audience navigate their way around your website and find the correct information easily?

Fit for Purpose

Are you delivering to your audience what they want?

Compliance with Regulations and Guidelines

W3C standards.
Neilsen usability guidelines.

Cross Platform and Browser Compatibility

Does your website work on the different computer types – Macintosh Computers and PCs including the differing web browsers, screen sizes and operating systems such as Linux, Windows XP, Vista,Windows 7 or MacOSX Tiger, Leopard or Snow Leopard?

Calls to action

Do your site visitors know what to do and when after they have read your site?

Visibility

Can your audience find your website in the first place amongst the billions of sites out there?

Your Message

Is your message to your audience clear, simple and relevant?
Is the language you use the right ‘tone’ and suitable for your audience?
Have you identified your audience?
Is it jargon free?
Is it interesting and engaging to your audience?

Make sure that your website complies with these requirements. Call us to help ensure that it does.