Web Design Basics: In today's world, over 300 websites are made every day. In total, we're looking at close to 2 billion websites worldwide!
That's a lot of websites.
But which sites are well made? Do you want to know more about web design basics? If so, this read is for you.
Web Design Basics: 7 Key Things
You don't have to be a professional graphic designer to make a great website. You don't even have to know a ton of HTML or CSS coding.
With the proper implementation, fundamental principles can make your website shine today.
The implementation process is vast, though. For example, you may know about color or typefaces. But, do you know what you're doing with them?
1. Visual Hierarchy
We're starting with this element because, in our eyes, everything flows from it.
Your visual hierarchy must encompass the purpose and voice of your website within a scan. In today's world, people don't read everything on a website.
Visitors skim, scan, pick, and pull, seeking what works for them.
Studies show that the human eye scans the top and edges before digesting textual content and inner bulk material.
At a glance, your web layout should show what you're about and how people can interact with your products or services.
If you have too much textual (or too many images) on the first page of your site without a lot of context or scanability, then you run the risk of people leaving because the message isn't clear.
Make sure the voice of your site is apparent wherever viewers are clicking, not reserved to your about page.
2. The Elements of Design
The elements and principles of design are what artists work with to build and break down everything else in our list.
We will run through them quickly but recommend you spend some time researching and practicing to prepare yourself for your web development better.
- Movement - How do you want the eye to scan the page? The best and most common practice is Z-Movement.
- Emphasis - When and where something should stand out, and to what degree it should.
- Contrast - Contrast deals with how a page gets separated and juxtaposed so the eye can digest content quickly.
- Unity - Make sure all the elements of your page are working together in some fashion. Don't toss features in because they looked cool on someone else's site.
- Balance - A site with an insufficient balance is the first thing that will turn people away. Poor balance is when a page is cluttered and gives people a visual headache.
- Rhythm - Think of visual flow. Some surprise is good, but it shouldn't disrupt the voice or pattern.
- Pattern - Think about the viewer's ability to predict what's next while avoiding a cookie-cutter method.
Consider these elements when working with your site's visual layout and design! Then, use them when analyzing the rest of our list!
3. Color
You might think bright colors pop more and draw more attention to essential things early on. But this isn't always the case.
Think through, what artists call, your color palette.
Your Color Palette consists of choosing a group of colors that go together. So don't go out picking colors just because they're bright and poppy.
4. Typeface
The typeface is another area where amateur web designers might choose fonts that stand out or have a lot of flair, but that's not always the best move.
Prioritize readability over flash.
Sans Serif fonts are what you'll want to use. Of course, not everything has to be the same font, either, but try to limit yourself to three fonts max.
Those three fonts should be thematic as well, in that all of your headers should be the same and all body text should be the same. Don't start to mix and match only to throw a spin on things as this can get confusing and look sloppy -- making readers want to bail.
5. Pictures and Video
The right image in the right place hooks viewers. A lousy picture sends them swimming off.
That means you need to choose the layout of your images and position them with a careful decision.
Don't throw images and video in and around a site because you need to spruce a page up.
Video may be the essential website element of this decade, but if you put a video in at odd times, it can interrupt the flow and voice of your page.
A good rule of thumb is to start an article or informational piece with the video and then have the text break it down.
A video in the middle of an article can still work, but the text has to set it up rather than digest it. Otherwise, people might skip the video because it looks like spam.
6. Mobile Transition in Web Design Basics
Novice designers spend a lot of time focusing on either the desktop or mobile sites and not thinking about the crossover.
When designing your site, ensure you're checking in on how elements translate to a mobile version (or desktop version if you're working in mobile.)
Pictures, text, and layout can get a little funky in the conversion process.
So practice and pay attention to how they translate early on to avoid headaches later.
7. Navigation
The element that most often gets forgotten.
But it shouldn't because bad navigation can frustrate viewers and drive them away.
A clean, clear, and concise navigation method is necessary. Make sure there is a tab readily available for viewers to find and click on other content within your website.
Make sure you have an about and contact page in plain sight.
As a final tip, make sure there is a search bar near the top of your website as well. A search bar allows people to act on their agency rather than jump through hoops to find website content.
More Web Design Basics
We hope this guide on web design basics gave you a few ideas for your site. If you're looking for more content on this topic, head to our articles page, where we post tons of content!
If you don't see something there or want us to break down more of a topic you did see, or want to say hello, feel free to reach out to web designers near me. We love to communicate, and we're here to help you make the best digital content and responsive website out there!
