Admiring a really well-designed and responsive website makes some people think that creating their own would yield a synonymous good result. However, the reality behind the legwork put into web designing is harsher than that.
Designing a fully running website is more than just about the looks. In this digital age, it also means readability and quality of user experience.
If you are planning to build your own, one of your priorities is its responsiveness. To do this, you must learn how to stay away from the common hurdles that make it difficult for you to build one. Below are ten of the most common issues even seasoned designers sometimes fall into.
#1. Messy content layout
Layout matters because it dictates the convenience users will have as soon as they land onto your site. However, since different industries may require certain uniqueness in their layout, designers are most of the times challenged to create something attractive that is at the same time convenient.
A messy layout is a real turn-off. Make sure you make one that is easy on the eyes.
#2. Wrong choice of colors
The factor that first captivates your readers or target is the colors you employ on your site. Ideally, it should mirror with the kind of business a company has as well as their official logo. The job of the designers is to make sure that they play with these colors well without providing awkward contrast. Bad color choice will hurt your visitors’ eyes, which then ultimately encourage them to leave your website.
#3. Using of heavy animation and images
It’s good to use quality images to accompany any text. However, this should not come at the expense of the speed in loading your site. Employing flash animation for instance would mean heavier site content. In turn, this could greatly affect the speed in loading up your blog especially through mobile.
#4. Annoying pop-up windows
Using pop-up windows is not entirely prohibited. It allows site owners to gather more traffic and eventually sales. However, designers should employ this accessory strategically, so as not to annoy those who visit the website.
More importantly, there has to be a visible option for your readers to close the window when they want to.
#5. Broken links
If you have been blogging or keeping some fresh articles for your business website, you should know by now that links work wonders. When used strategically, you can use this to lead your readers towards your product pages or any value you want them to know of. Unfortunately, using this strategy is a bit tricky especially when the links used are broken and doesn’t lead to the right page.
This could ruin the trust given to you by your readers. Before making it live, be sure you have first checked if the links really work.
#6. Absence of the search function
One can’t just underestimate the advantage given by this tiny search box or button. It’s literally your readers’ go-to place when they don’t want to deal with the navigation. Many designers fail to provide this on the site. While this is just a minor accessory, this convenience matters in the overall responsiveness of your website.
#7. Designing for everyone
Let’s face it. You can’t really impress everyone. And one of the most common mistakes designers make is trying to please all types of people. This, in result, leads to a design that does not appear relevant to the target market of a company. Worse, it could look like it’s over engineered and only appeal too annoying for your site’s visitors.
Before designing anything, it’s vital that one understands clearly who you are targeting. This becomes your guideline in crafting designs that fits well to their interests and preference.
#8. Ignoring the nature of the content beforehand
Aside from the general profile of the market, the type of content you want to provide can also dictate the design appropriate for the information. For instance, if you are eyeing to share more photo samples just like those photography services website, then creating a design able to hold a full gallery is appropriate.
The final appearance should be able to present the information well without becoming too cluttered.
#9. Not testing it on mobile
Few years ago, directly publishing a site after previewing it on the desktop version is what matters. At present, this is no longer enough. As designers, you also need to make sure that the website works well when you access it through mobile. Many users at present visit their favorite site while on the go or while doing work and a number of this browsing happens using their smartphones and tablets.
To ensure that what you are creating is responsive enough, be sure to try it out on mobile format first.
Lastly, we have this issue about complicated navigation. The attention span of people visiting various website is not entirely long. Once they get into your site and find out that it does not offer convenience in navigation, there is a higher chance that they would leave and go somewhere else.
Many designers, in their pursuit to provide appealing design, end up giving more clutter on the website pages.
Keep in mind that you attract visitors by being relevant and helpful. Make sure you give them these values with ease.
There is no such thing as an ultimate, perfect design that could work to all types of client needs. If so, then all of the web designers will just have to focus in perfecting it. The secret to achieving a responsive one is to consider the demands of your client service as well as their market.
What appearance and functions would they need? What colors will appeal to their interests? How can you position different types of content in a way that will be easily recognizable by the visitors?
Answering all of these questions is vital in coming up with a knockout website that is sure to capture your market’s eyes. Do not hesitate to try out various styles while keeping away from the common mistakes we have on this list!
