Originally published on 10/07/2020. Last updated on 03/07/2024.
Your business’s website is perhaps the most important representation of your brand. It’s your virtual storefront, welcoming potential customers and offering a glimpse into who you are and what you value. Just as you would dedicate time and effort to making your physical storefront clean and inviting, your website deserves the same attention to detail. In this article, we’ll explore the various reasons why design matters for your website design and how it helps establish a strong online presence.
What is Web Design?
Website design is essentially the look and feel of a site. One major aspect of this is the aesthetic elements of a website, like color, textures, fonts, and graphics. These choices should reflect your brand identity and create a mood or atmosphere that resonates with your target audience.
Equally important is the user experience (UX) of the site. This involves crafting a website that is easy to navigate, intuitive to understand, and optimized for various devices like desktops, tablets, and smartphones. A well-designed website will have clear navigation menus, well-placed calls to action, and a layout that logically guides the user’s eye.
Finally, functionality also plays a crucial role in web design. This means ensuring that interactive elements, forms, buttons, and any special features work seamlessly to provide a smooth experience for your visitors. A website that functions well leaves users feeling satisfied and more likely to return.
Why Web Design Matters
Now that we’ve defined website design, we can explore the significant impact it has on a business’s online presence. Let’s explore why web design matters and how it can elevate your brand.
Helps Brand Recognition
Your website is often the first thing potential customers see, so it shapes how they think about your brand. If your site is difficult to navigate or just doesn’t look polished, visitors may get a not-so-great impression. But a well-designed website, with clear navigation and a polished look, immediately signals professionalism. This professionalism is key to fostering positive brand recognition.
Eye-catching colors, graphics, and a design that reflects your unique brand identity create a memorable and familiar experience for visitors. When customers encounter your website, they should instantly recognize your brand through consistent visual elements and messaging.
Plus, maintaining a website that aligns with your overall brand image in terms of visuals and language creates a sense of consistency that builds trust. This consistency reinforces your brand identity in the minds of customers, making it easier for them to remember and recognize you in a crowded marketplace.
Establishes Credibility
Are you more likely to trust a website that was hastily pieced together from a template or one that was carefully crafted with user experience and coherent branding in mind? When a website is clearly built to help customers and properly represent the company, people are more likely to see that company as legitimate. This in turn makes them more interested in the services offered.
One study found that 75% of consumers decide if a website is credible based fully on design. Your audience wants to see that you put time and thought into your platform’s layout. Otherwise, they may consider doing business elsewhere.
Improves Search Rankings
Good website design isn’t just about how it looks – it also significantly impacts how easily people can find you online. Search engines like Google want to provide the best possible experience for their users. That means showing websites that are easy to use, load quickly, and provide valuable information. A well-designed website checks all those boxes, which boosts your search ranking.
On the other hand, if your website is slow, confusing, or just doesn’t look professional, people are going to leave quickly. Search engines pick up on this, which can hurt your ranking and make it harder for potential customers to find you.
Impacts Accessibility
Finally, web design helps make your website more accessible to all. Accessibility ensures that people with disabilities – whether it’s trouble seeing, hearing, or navigating complex websites – can access and enjoy your content just as easily as anyone else. This is not only the right thing to do, but it also expands your potential audience and creates a positive user experience for everyone who visits your website.
A web designer must follow best practices in terms of color, fonts, properly labeling content and images, and site layout, to ensure a website is accessible. If you’re interested in learning more about the thought processes behind these decisions, the Website Accessibility Initiative is an excellent resource.
Invest in a Better Website
All in all, web design isn’t just about appearances – it significantly impacts how your business performs online. Without careful planning, extensive knowledge, and research-driven design, your digital presence could unintentionally hold you back.
At Vervology, we’re passionate about creating websites that showcase your brand in a compelling and intuitive way. Our knowledgeable and experienced team understands all facets of web design. Let’s get started on a website that works for you – contact us today for a free consultation!