When you visit a website, what makes you stay? Is it the colors, how easy it is to find what you need, or just how pretty it looks?
Well, creating a website that people love to use involves some special rules, kind of like a secret recipe.
In this article, we’re going to explore 10 simple but important principles that can help turn any website from good to great.
Let’s dive in!
10 Principles of Good Website Design
1. Purpose and Communication
When we talk about good website design, the first thing we need to think about is its purpose. Every website should have a clear goal or a set of goals.
These goals could be anything from selling products, sharing information, entertaining, or providing a service.
Understanding this purpose is crucial because it guides everything else about the website – from the layout to the content.
Once you know the purpose of your website, the next step is ensuring that it communicates that purpose effectively to the visitors.
This is where clarity and simplicity come into play. Your website should be able to tell its visitors what it’s about within seconds.
If people have to dig around to understand what your website does, chances are they won’t stick around for long.
To achieve this, use clear and concise language on your website. Organize information in a way that’s easy to follow, and use visuals that help support your message.
2. Simplicity
This means that your website should be easy to look at, easy to use, and not confusing in any way.
It’s like walking into a clean, well-organized room where you can easily find what you’re looking for without any stress.
When a website is simple, it helps visitors focus on what’s important without getting distracted by too many colors, fonts, or busy designs.
This doesn’t mean your site should be boring, but rather that every part of it should have a clear purpose and contribute to a positive experience for the visitor.
You should keep it straightforward and user-friendly, and your visitors are more likely to stick around and come back in the future.
3. Navigation
Good navigation on a website is like a map during a road trip. It should be simple and clear, guiding visitors exactly where they want to go with ease.
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Navigation bars, menus, and links should be organized in a way that makes sense to anyone who visits, not just those who built the site.
Think of it like putting up signs in a large store; every aisle is clearly marked, so shoppers can find what they’re looking for without getting lost.
When designing a website, you should ensure that users can find their way around effortlessly, whether they’re looking for contact information or product details.
Making your website easy to navigate creates a better experience for visitors and helps them connect with the content or products they’re interested in.
4. Responsive Design
It is like a magic trick that makes your website look great on any device, whether it’s a big desktop computer or a small phone screen.
Imagine trying to read a huge poster through a tiny window; it would be frustrating, right? That’s how it feels when a website doesn’t adjust to fit different screens.
Responsive design makes sure your website adjusts automatically, so it’s easy to read and use no matter what device your visitors are using.
This way you’re making sure everyone can easily access and enjoy your website, which is really important in today’s world.
5. Visual Hierarchy
Visual Hierarchy is essentially a way to guide users’ eyes through a website in the order that makes the most sense.
It’s like when you’re telling a story, and you want to make sure the most important parts stand out so your listeners know what to pay attention to.
On a website, some things need more attention than others, like headlines, calls to action, or crucial information about products or services.
So, by playing with size, color, and the space around these elements, we can ensure they catch the eye first.
Visual Hierarchy ensures the spotlight is on the most important parts of your website, ensuring a smooth and logical flow that guides visitors naturally.
6. Accessibility
Making your website accessible is super important because you want everyone to be able to enjoy your website, find the information they need, and use your services without any trouble.
Suppose someone using a screen reader (a tool that reads out loud the text on the screen) because they can’t see very well.
You’d want to make sure your website’s text is clear, and the reader can understand and interpret everything correctly.
Making your site accessible is not just a kind gesture; it’s a way to welcome everybody into the experience you’re offering.
7. Consistency
Consistency in your web design helps make sure your website feels familiar and easy to use for your visitors.
When we talk about consistency in website design, we mean keeping everything matching – like using the same colors, fonts, and button styles all through your site.
This doesn’t mean every page should look the same, but rather that they should all feel like they belong to the same family.
This way, when someone is clicking around your website, they don’t get confused or lost because everything works and looks the same way from one page to the next.
It’s like creating a comfortable rhythm that makes everything more predictable and enjoyable for your visitors.
8. Color and Whitespace
Color doesn’t just make a site look pretty; it can affect how we feel and act when we visit a website.
Thoughtful use of color can guide visitors’ attention to important sections, evoke emotional responses, and even influence decision-making.
Whitespace, or the empty space around and between elements on a page, isn’t wasted space.
It’s a powerful design tool.
It gives users’ eyes a break, reduces cognitive overload, and makes it easier to focus on what’s important.
In essence, a harmonious balance of color and whitespace is crucial for creating a website that’s pleasing to the eye and effective in conveying its message.
9. Mobile-Friendly and Use of Grids
Suppose you’re trying to view a website on your phone and having to squint, zoom in, and scroll sideways to read the text or click a button.
Frustrating, right? That’s exactly what we want to avoid.
So, you should make your website mobile-friendly to ensure visitors get a great experience whether they’re on a laptop, tablet, or smartphone.
It should be easy for them to read text, view images, and find what they need without any hassle. This is where grids are incredibly useful.
A grid helps organize the content on your website so it automatically adjusts and looks good on any screen size.
Think of it like a magic puzzle; no matter how you rearrange the pieces (or view the website), it still makes a complete, beautiful picture.
By focusing on mobile-friendliness and the use of grids, you make sure that everyone, regardless of how they access your site, has a positive experience.
10. Call to Action (CTA)
A CTA is like giving your website visitors a little nudge to do something after they’ve learned about all the good principles of website design you’ve shared.
It’s like saying, “Hey, you’ve got the knowledge, now do something great with it!” But why add a CTA?
Because sometimes, people need that extra encouragement to take the next step; whether it’s to learn more, sign up for a newsletter, or start designing their own website.
When should you add it? Ideally, right after you’ve delivered some valuable insights or at the end of your page, so it feels like a natural next step.
You can place them where it’s easy to spot and feel like they belong, maybe at the bottom of your list of tips or floating on the side as they scroll.
A great CTA turns passive readers into active participants, making your website not just informative but interactive.
How do you make a good website design?
Firstly, you should understand who will visit your website and what they hope to find or do there.
Your website should be easy to look at, which means nice colors that go well together and text that’s easy to read.
Ensure it’s easy for people to find their way around your site; a simple menu that leads to the main parts of your website helps a lot.
Your website should also load quickly and work well on both computers and phones.
You can also add related images and videos that can make your website more interesting but don’t add too much or it can become cluttered and slow to load.
Lastly, always check your site to fix any mistakes and to make sure everything works as it should.
