Web design tips that will help you create the perfect website

Web design can be a complex discipline and take many years to master. It’s also an intricate discipline that can take a lifetime to master. Imagine da Vinci’s frustration when people complained that the Mona Lisa “looked tired” after only five years.

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While web design is something everyone in a business must deal with, only designers truly understand it. You need to understand the basics of web design in order to create a website that is appealing and communicates your ideas. Even if you are hiring a professional web designer to design your site, it is still important to know the basics and to explain what you want them to do.

This guide is designed to help non-designers get started in web design. These are the top ten web designing tips that you should know (plus some dos ) and they are divided into three categories: composition, doesn’t. These ten essentials are important to know, whether you hire a designer or do it yourself.

Get rid of all the junk

Let’s start with the most common mistake in web design: a cluttered page. Many people have a list of all the things they want for their website. Without knowing better, they just throw everything on one page.

Every element that you add to your website design will affect the effectiveness of all others. You lose the cohesive experience if you have too many distracting elements. Your user won’t know where they should look, and it will be difficult for them to find what they need. The essential elements will be more powerful if they aren’t taking up too much space.

White space is more important than clutter. This is what you want in a minimalist and clean web design. Slaviana

The home screen of the Intenz case by Top Level designer Slaviana has nothing but the essentials. It includes the navigation menu, logo, and tagline. There is also a main call-to-action (CTA), and some imagery to create an atmosphere and show off the product. You can find additional information on their screens, but it is presented later so that they are not too cluttered. It is the visual equivalent of pacing.

A web design must be simple and clear for users to follow. There are many ways to do this, some of which are listed below. However, the first step is to make space for high-priority items by removing lower-priority ones.

Do:

Cut the fat. Review your designs to find the essentials. You can remove any element that doesn’t enhance or add value to the overall experience. Move an element to another screen if it can live there.

Limit pull-out menus. Pull-out menus (fold-outs, drop-downs, etc.) These hidden menus (drop-downs, fold-outs, etc.) can be a great way to reduce clutter. However, you should not just “get under the rug.”

Don’t:

Sidebars are not recommended for new visitors. You can simplify your navigation structure if you don’t have enough options (see below).

Sliders are distracting. You lose control of what your users see. It is better to show only the best images all the time.

Make sure to leave plenty of white space

What are you going to do with all the space you have created after clearing away the clutter? We might suggest that you fill it with nothing.

Negative space, also known as. White space is a technical term used in visual arts to describe areas of an image that do not attract attention. These are usually empty areas or blanks, such as a cloudless sky, or monochrome walls. Negative space, although it can be boring by itself, can be used artistically to complement the main subject, increase legibility, and make the image more “take in”.

Simple is always better. It immediately draws attention to the most important things for the user. Simple is also attractive.

The Streamflow example of Top Level designer Hitron shows that the CTA and tagline are the main focus. This is not because they are flashy or garish but because there’s so much negative space around them. The landing screen helps the user understand the company’s mission and the next steps. The landing screens include stunning imagery of the clouds but in a minimalistic and beautiful way.

Do:

Use negative space to surround your most important elements. It is more likely that it will be noticed.

Avoid boring layouts by using secondary visuals such as color or typography. When there is too much negative space, other aesthetic elements like color and typography can fill in the gap visually.

Don’t:

Don’t emphasize the wrong element. Use negative space to surround top-priority elements. If your goal is to convert customers, surround your email or sales contact with negative space. Not your logo.

Avoid using busy backgrounds. Backgrounds are meant to be largely invisible. Your main elements will be distracted if your background is too cluttered.

Visual hierarchy can help you guide your user’s eyes

What do you think about “visual hierarchy” if you don’t mind using technical terms like “negative space”? This refers to the use of different visual elements such as size and placement to influence which elements your users see first, second, or last. A good example of visual hierarchy is to place a large, bold title at the top and small legal information at the bottom.

Web design by Canvas Creation

Web design doesn’t only involve what you put on your website. How you do it. CTA buttons aren’t just there. Skilled designers place them in bold colors and provide suggestive text to get clicks. Engagement can be increased or decreased by elements such as size, color placement, and negative space.

The Shearline homepage illustration above places emphasis on three elements: the title and the image of the product. All other elements, such as the logo, navigation menu, and explanation text, seem secondary. This conscious choice was made by the designer through smart placement, size, and color.

Chart explaining the basics of visual hierarchy. Via Orbit Media Studios

This chart by Orbit Media Studios shows you how to draw or repel attention. Although it simplifies complex topics, it is useful for understanding the basics.

Do:

Design for scanning. The majority of users won’t even read all the words on a page. Users don’t see all of a page. This behavior can be simulated by making it difficult for them to ignore your top priorities.

Try multiple options. Sometimes trial and error is the best way to go. Visual hierarchy can be complicated. Make several mockups and then show them to another set of eyes to get different opinions.

Don’t:

Do not use competing elements. Visual hierarchy refers to order: first this, then the next. You can easily track how much attention each element receives to ensure your users follow a clear path.

Don’t go overboard. Too many elements or too high a contrast color can lead to the opposite effect. Only use as many attention-grabbing techniques as you need.