Your website’s design is key to creating a successful online presence. Whether you are just starting out or planning a complete refresh, the right design can draw attention and increase engagement with your brand. It’s important to make sure your design looks professional and conveys your brand message clearly. Here are 24 tips that will help you create a design that looks professional, functions well, and is sure to impress your customers.

Fonts

Choosing the right font for your website is essential. Fonts tell a story, so it’s important to select one that represents your brand’s personality while remaining easy to read on all devices. Consider sticking with one or two primary fonts throughout your website and using a third, complimentary font for headings or other elements.

Text Size

When it comes to text size, bigger is not always better. It’s important to find a balance between legible and overwhelming – too much text can be daunting and cause readers to abandon your page before they even finish the first paragraph. A good rule of thumb is to keep your text at a size that’s easy to read without having to strain or zoom in on the page. Try keeping your text size at a minimum of 16.

Paragraph length

It’s important to keep your paragraphs short and sweet – no longer than four or five sentences. Long blocks of text can be intimidating and cause readers to lose track of the main point. Try breaking up longer sections into several smaller ones, making sure each has its own heading so it’s easier for readers to identify different points within a section.

Less is more

When it comes to design, less truly is more. Too many elements on a page can be overwhelming and make it difficult for readers to focus on the important points. Try keeping things simple by using only a few colors, fonts and images.

Colors

The right color scheme is essential in creating an effective design. Colors evoke emotions and create connections with viewers, so it’s important to choose ones that represent your brand’s message. Stick with a limited palette – no more than three or four colors.

Contrast

High contrast between elements can really make your design pop. Light and dark, large and small – the right combination of contrasting elements can create visual interest and keep viewers engaged.

Symmetry

Creating symmetry in your design can help create a sense of balance and structure. Consider aligning elements along an invisible grid to create harmony on the page.

Logo

Your logo should be a prominent element in your website’s design. Not only will this help establish brand recognition, it also ties everything together into a cohesive whole. It should be visible on all pages, prominently placed in the top left corner or centered at the top of your page.

Spacing

Adding spacing between elements can help create a sense of order and keep viewers from feeling overwhelmed by too many elements on the page. Try adding generous margins and padding around text, images and other elements to help break up the page.

White space

A little white space can go a long way in helping your design look professional and clean. White space is the area around elements on the page – think of it as a frame for each piece of content. It helps draw attention to these elements and keeps viewers from feeling overwhelmed by too much content on the page.

Favicon

A favicon is a small icon that appears in the browser tab when someone visits your website. It’s an easy way to make your website look professional and establish brand recognition.

Image formats

When selecting images for your website, it’s important to choose ones that are properly formatted. Try sticking with either .jpg or .png formats to ensure they look crisp and clear on all devices. SVG is also a great choice for logos and icons.

Photo styles

The right photo can make or break your design. When choosing photos, consider the style – do they fit with the overall look of the website? Are they relevant to your message? Do they help create an emotional connection with viewers?

Graphics

Graphics help add visual interest to a page and can help simplify complex ideas. Try using illustrations, charts or diagrams to explain your message in an engaging way.

Videos

Videos are a great way to engage viewers and draw them in. They’re also a powerful tool for conveying complex ideas or stories quickly and easily. You can use them to showcase your products or services, explain concepts or simply provide a visual break from text. Linking your website to your YouTube Cahnnel can also be very beneficial in terms of SEO.

Parallax

Parallax scrolling is a technique where the background image moves at a slower rate than the foreground elements, creating an interesting visual effect. This can help communicate your message in an engaging way and keep viewers from feeling overwhelmed by too much content on the page.

Icons

Using icons can help simplify complex ideas and make your website look professional. They’re also a great way to draw attention to important elements on the page, like CTA buttons or social media links.

Buttons

Designing effective buttons is key in creating an engaging user experience. Try using a contrasting color to draw attention to them and make sure the text is clear and concise.

Speed

Page loading speed is an important factor in keeping viewers engaged. Try optimizing images and compressing code, or using a content delivery network (CDN) to reduce load times.

Call to Action (CTA)

A call to action (CTA) is an element that encourages viewers to take a specific action, such as signing up for a newsletter or buying a product. Make sure it’s clear and concise so viewers know what they should do next.

Social Media

Adding social media links to your website can help increase brand recognition and engagement. Make sure they’re visible and easy to find so viewers can quickly connect with your social media pages.

Make It Responsive

It’s important that your website looks great on all devices – from desktops to mobile phones. Try using a responsive design framework like WordPress to ensure your website looks professional and works well on all devices.

Google-Friendly

Search engine optimization (SEO) is key in helping your website rank higher in search engine results. Remember to write alt text on images, use keywords in your content and make sure all links are working properly.

Hire the Right Design Team

Designing a professional website requires knowledge of coding, design and user experience. Hiring the right design team can help make sure your website looks great and works well on all devices. We’ll be happy to help you with your website design needs. Let us know how we can help you get started. Contact us today.

Conclusion

Designing a professional website takes time and effort, but the results are worth it. Follow these 24 tips to create an engaging user experience that looks great on all devices. With the right design team on your side, you’ll have a website that will make a great impression on your visitors. Good luck! Our team is also here to help you with any additional questions you may have about website design and development. Contact us today and let’s get started on creating the perfect site for your business.