10 Ways to Improve Your Web Design

Your website is likely going to be one of the first impressions you make on your prospects. This makes it essential to ensure your web design is second-to-none. If you already have a site that’s a little lackluster, it’s okay. You just need to improve it using the following 10 strategies:

#1: Optimize the site for conversions

A conversion on a web page can be anything from a request for personal information to the suggestion to make a purchase. Every page on your website should have some kind of trackable conversion, even if it’s just to go to another web page for more information. Missing conversions? You’re missing the chance to make a sale!

#2: Have a meaningful logo

What does your logo say about your business? If a visitor sees it, will it mean anything? Does it have a professional or unique quality? A logo is your image, and it needs to reflect the personality, culture and potentially the services/products you offer. Spend time on your logo and work with a graphic design pro to come up with an appealing, recognizable one.

#3: Include intuitive navigation

Is it easy for a first-time visitor to understand how your site is set up, or does the visitor have to go on a hunt to get information? The navigation on your site should be so easy a child can’t get lost. Nothing is as frustrating as being unable to find what you need when you want it.

#4: Spring clean your web pages

Clutter isn’t just a problem in your living room or office break room. It’s also a problem on plenty of websites. Is there not much white space or empty space on your web pages? You could have a big problem. Empty areas break up the flow for viewers, and that can be good. Eliminate anything you don’t need, page by page. Simplification is beautiful!

#5: Have a consistent page flow and look

Every web page should have a consistent look and dynamic flow. Think of your website like a large, online brochure where one page connects in some way to another. If you have a lot of mismatched web page designs, you risk alienating visitors.

#6: Test different color combinations

We all know certain color combinations convert better than others, but that can change periodically. You may want to do an A/B split test by changing the colors of buttons or calls to action. Then, see if you get better conversions and longer on-page views.

#7: Ditch the creative fonts

Stick with one or two fonts on your website, rather than trying to be too creative or clever. Overly ornate fonts are tough to read, and they annoy visitors. Plus, they can clutter up the overall look and feel of the website, not to mention take the spotlight away from the more important elements.

#8: Replace stock images

This isn’t to suggest that stock images can’t be useful, but in most cases, they’ve been overused. If you can afford to pay a professional photographer to create images that are entirely yours, and won’t be used by anyone else, do it. Beautiful, interesting, compelling and/or personalized images can absolutely attract and keep visitors to your site.

#9: Make the site easy to load

Is your website taking forever to load? There’s an issue, and it’s likely with the way it’s been programmed. You could also have some problems with the types of videos or images you’ve embedded. Get help from a web designer to clean up the codes.

#10: Make your CTA easy to find

Burying your CTA is one of the worst things you can do. Instead of hiding it, make it easy to see and understand. Bold it. Make it a different color than the colors around it. Put it in a button. Visitors need direction.

As a final note, remember that your content needs to be cleaned up regularly. You don’t necessarily have to revise it every month, but if you haven’t looked at it in a while, it’s a good exercise. You’ll probably find items you want to change, and doing so will make your site stronger and more modern.