Having discussed the most prevalent website design mistakes, it's time to address how you can rectify them. Don't worry, half the battle is already won because now you know what to avoid (Which i post in the Last Blog). With this knowledge in mind, you can start creating a website that adheres to best practices in website design.
1. Prioritize Accessibility
Designing websites with accessibility in mind is crucial to ensure that everyone can access the information they need. "Web accessibility means making websites and the information on them accessible to everyone." By avoiding common accessibility mistakes, you eliminate usability barriers for people with disabilities. Even if your site looks impressive, if it's not accessible to certain visitors, it won't reach its full potential in achieving your goals and business needs.
Here are some actionable ways to address accessibility issues in your design:
Create User Personas with Accessibility in Mind: Make sure your user personas are inclusive and consider accessibility throughout the design process. "Think about accessibility early and often. Ensure your personas reflect various abilities to guarantee accessibility is considered at all stages of the project." You can use free tools like HubSpot's website to create your personas.
Educate Yourself on Accessibility Best Practices: Familiarize yourself with accessibility best practices to ensure they remain top of mind during your projects. Explore available resources, checklists, and guidance on designing, building, and testing accessible websites. Start with our checklist for creating an accessible site.
2. Embrace Responsive Design
Implementing responsive web design ensures that your site offers a seamless experience, regardless of how visitors access it. The good news is that creating a responsive website is not as challenging as it may seem. If you're using a content management system like CMS Hub, you can leverage mobile-friendly templates.
Consider the most important piece of information you want visitors to take away from the page and envision how it will look on different screen sizes. Your goal is to ensure that visitors understand your content consistently, regardless of the device they use. Additionally, thoroughly test your site on mobile devices to identify and address any unnoticed glitches.
For inspiration, we've compiled a list of 21 exemplary mobile website designs.
3. Strike a Balance between Aesthetic Appeal and User Experience
It's essential to balance visual appeal with a seamless user experience on your website. Martinez explains that achieving this requires effective communication and alignment within your team. "Design teams should remain faithful to the strategy, ensuring the design supports users' main goals and aligns well with the Development, Content, and SEO teams.
4. Be Intentional and Get Creative with Your Site Design
​Just because certain designs or layouts are popular doesn't mean you have to follow the crowd. Give intentional thought to what should be placed in valuable spots. Ask yourself questions about your intentions for each space. Is the imagery meaningful or purely decorative? Does the layout encourage users to read or take action? Is there something intriguing to capture their attention?
Users often skip large hero sections, similar to banner blindness with advertisements, so it's essential to avoid missed opportunities. Consider switching up your site's layout to stand out from competitors. Remember, over 70% of businesses invest in design to differentiate themselves, so don't shy away from being unique.
5. Avoid Burying Crucial Information on Ineffective Features
If a feature on your website doesn't convert or capture visitors' attention, make sure you don't bury important information within it. Consider best practices when using carousels. Enhance the carousel experience by using highly visible controls, limiting the number of slides, and placing the most critical information first. Users should get a complete experience even if they don't