The Top 3 Principles of Good Web Design
Good web design goes beyond making a website look visually appealing. It is about creating an experience for the user that is easy to understand, navigate, and engage with. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into the top three principles of good web design that will help you build a website that is both effective and user-friendly.
1. Less is more
Simplicity is key to creating a successful website. While it may be tempting to add in flashy animations, complicated navigational menus, and decorative fonts, your website should focus on showcasing your content. A simple design feels clean, fresh, and perhaps most importantly: timeless. Too many designers try to cram too much information into too small of a space. There’s a time for creativity and color, and a time to let your content breathe.
White space is the area around and between elements on a page that is deliberately left blank. It gives the eyes a chance to rest and helps users focus on the content that is most important. Users like interesting content, but they like being able to easily use your website more.
2. Keep it cohesive
From your colors to your images, your typefaces to your sections, one of the most important things to keep in mind when designing any website is cohesion and consistency. A cohesive design eliminates confusion and helps guide the user through your website. When done well, users should be able to understand where they are, what they’re looking at, and what they should do next at a glance.
One part of a cohesive design is color. Your website’s color palette should complement the brand and be applied consistently throughout the website. Avoid distracting, mismatched, or uncomplimentary colors. Similarly, keep your typeface choices to a minimum, both for consistency, professionalism, and loading times.
Another part of cohesion to keep in mind are the graphics and other images. Avoid stock imagery whenever possible, and ensure that all images are high-quality and relevant to the topic and brand. When possible, connect images to that same brand color scheme. Using consistent colors, type, and imagery throughout your website can help create a consistent look and feel, which can help keep the user focused and driven to your calls to action.
3. Respect your users
Your website should be easy to use and easy to navigate. Your users should feel understood and respected when they visit your site, whether you’re a university, a construction company, or a freelance designer. Advertise yourself and your content, but avoid excessive and unnecessary features.
Respect your users’ time and attention by honestly reflecting your business, event, or brand. Your website should reflect the best parts of you or your brand: engaging, straightforward, and authentic. This direct, honest approach will help you look more credible and trustworthy, keeping your users satisfied & more likely to stay and engage with your content.
