You may have seen websites which have left you wondering “what on earth were they thinking?” There’s so much information on the page you can’t make heads or tails out of the content and you can’t find your way from one page to the next. When looking at some websites you understand the need for a visually appealing website.
In the past only large businesses earned brand recognition because they could hire graphic artists and marketing companies to create a buzz about them. With the use of the internet, the playing field has been leveled somewhat. Now smaller businesses can take advantage of the technology and reach customers they weren’t able to reach before.
People use websites for a variety of reasons. Some provide information only in the form of content such as article directories and online encyclopedias. Others have websites in order to sell products they make themselves or items made by others for sale. Visually appealing websites can be an open door to take your site to a brand new level.
Websites are marketing tools. They may be the first introduction of your company to potential customers so you’ll want the first impression to be a good one. The visual appearance of your website can give your business a favorable impression or one that’s not so favorable.
Begin by creating a website which is functional. Provide contact information for your visitors, navigation and organization. Think about what you’re trying to accomplish with your website. Who are your customers of interest? What services or products do you have to offer? Will visitors be able to find the information they need on your website?
All websites are not the same. Some are small and provide only basic information such as how to contact the business owner and their physical address. Some have multiple pages containing online catalogs with full color pictures of products. Still others provide sample portfolios of the work they do so potential clients will have a good idea of their ability before asking for further information.
If visitors arrive at your website and it’s a jumble of information and graphics which are thrown together without purpose or design, they’re not likely to remain long. However, if the reverse is true and your website is visually appealing, well organized, and easy to navigate, visitors may spend quite a bit of time and will be more likely to become customers.
Choosing the program you will use to create your website can make all the difference in the world as to the finished product. Some programs or applications are easier to use than others. You can find many free or low cost applications online which will enable even beginners to create a website they can be proud of as well as making one that is easy to navigate.
Design your website to be user friendly. Remember not everyone has the same degree of knowledge when it comes to computers and the Web, so the easier you can make it for visitors to find what they’re looking for, the better it will be for you as well.
Use commonly used fonts rather than unusual ones which may not be installed on all computers. Think about how long it takes for your website to load particularly when you want to add large graphics or videos. The more graphics or media on a page, the longer it will take to load.
When thinking about why you need a visually appealing website, remember the people visiting your site. A well structured website which is visually appealing will attract new customers and help grow your business.
Author Resource:
Andrew Perkins is a professional web site and graphic designer providing visually appealing, user friendly, search engine optimized web sites, graphic design, logo design and corporate identity. Visit him for a free, no obligation quote at http://www.andrews-custom-web-design.com/