In 1994, there were less than 3,000 websites on the known web. Today, there are almost 1 billion. Through the years, websites have proven to be critical for communication and digital marketing. The Philippines has been catching up with the trend, discovering the lead generation potential of a well-designed website.
What makes a great website, though? Marketers and other designers may feel that the specific nuances of web design and development are beyond them, but these following points are fairly easy to understand and are great places to start:
Invest in Great Original Visuals
Websites are primarily visual mediums. Few things wow visitors as much as an eye-catching hero shot. Don’t use generic photos and icons, especially in important pages or elements. Filipinos spend an average of 6 hours on the internet and will easily spot an overused picture in a few seconds. Be ready to hire a professional to provide high-quality photographs and illustrations.
Limit Colors
Great visuals do not necessarily need a fountain of colors. In fact, too many can confuse visitors and would look gaudy rather than professional. Use schemes with palettes that only use two to three colors. Colors should also be applied strategically, like applying one color for CTAs and another for regular text. This will not only reduce confusion but also provide users with a kind of code to the kinds of actions they can do on your website.
Place Crucial Content above the Fold
Above the fold refers to the portion of a website that a visitor sees first upon entering and before scrolling down. Visitors spend 80 percent of their time digesting the information on that section. Always place important content, such as the CTA or the brand message, in this area.
Check the Site on Different Screens and Browsers
People won’t visit the site on the same type of computer as what your company uses. Instead, expect visitors to access your site on 12” monitors, 46” HDTVs, smartphones, tablets, and other gadgets, which is why you have to check how your website looks on a variety of screens. If it looks horrible, look into responsive design.
Take Note of Time
If a page doesn’t load in less than 10 seconds, visitors will leave. Inspect the length of time it takes for information to appear on the screen. Be minimalist. Get rid of extraneous effects that just weigh the page down.
Good web design relies on promoting the best possible user experience for a group, so walk in the shoes of your potential visitors and see if your site is helpful, or at least navigable.
Great website design brings in traffic and leads. Learn more about promoting your website here.
