Choosing the design of your website is one of the most important decisions that you’ll make for your business. A website is a business’s “home base”, and it’s where customers go to become better acquainted. The right design is crucial.
There are plenty of things to consider when choosing a website design for your business, and to be honest, it can be quite overwhelming at times. You need the features that really matter for your business, but with all the options available, choosing the right ones can feel a bit like winning the lottery.
Instead of approaching website design in the dark, let’s talk about some of the things to put at the top of your list when choosing a design for your business.
Have a Vision for Your Website
Before you can choose a design template, you need to have an idea of what you want your website to look like, and how it will function for your customers. For example, if you’re a photographer, then you’ll want a template that features your images prominently, while making it easy to frequently load new content.
On the other hand, an attorney is going to require something entirely different. Think about your industry, and what’s important for the niche market you serve.
The 5 Non-negotiable Design Elements
There are five key features that every business needs to consider when choosing a website design. These are consistent across the board for all businesses, big or small. The 5 non-negotiable design elements include:
- Navigation/menu
- Home page header
- Placement of the company logo
- Content width
- The overall UX and usability of the site design itself
Tackling these five essentials could be a post on its own, but we can start by breaking it down a little.
For example, your navigation and menu design are the visitor’s key to unlocking your site. If your navigation menu is cluttered, hard to find or in any way difficult to use, don’t expect customers to stay around long.
Other features like the home page header and logo placement give the visitor an instant visual snapshot of your brand. They’re often the first impression, so captivating design is essential. A design that allows for video to be used as a home page header is typically going to generate more engagement than a static image.
Finally, look at the overall UX and usability of the design. Does the content width fit well with your intent, and does it easily translate to multiple devices? If this was your first time visiting this site, how would you rate your experience?
These are little details that make a huge difference in the success and effectiveness of your website design.
Room for Customization
Does the design template allow room for customization? The goal is for your business to constantly be growing and evolving, so it’s key to have a web design that’s adaptable. Look for customization features like places to add customer testimonials, multimedia, and other features that will set your business apart.
Consider the Help of a Professional
Website design can be a frustrating process. Why not leave it in the hands of someone that has experience in design and website marketing? We have the team that can create a site that will meet all your needs. Contact Inquisitek today, and let’s start talking about your amazing new website.