Good website design is all about striking the perfect balance between aesthetics and usability. A well-designed site builds trust and guides visitors to take action, all the while creating an enjoyable user experience.
So how will your website provide visitors with a great experience, from start to finish? Read on to find out how to design a website using important principles for effective results, why they matter, and relevant points on getting them right for your next project.
10 principles of good website design
Seamless Navigation
Responsive design
Across the board consistency
Smooth performance
Frictionless conversion
Clear communication
Effective visual language
Hierarchical content structure
Familiar web conventions
A reliable, transparent interface
1. Seamless navigation
Great navigation allows visitors to easily locate information and find what they’re looking for. Without it, it can be hard for users to understand what to do when landing on your page. For that reason, it’s important to structure your website in a meaningful and logical way that feels predictable and understandable. Many sites use a combination of methods to help visitors find their way around, including structured menus, keyword searches, and internal linking.
The use of clear labels, intuitive categories, and consistent placement of elements can help visitors easily access information on your site. Keeping navigation simple, intuitive, and consistent are key to a seamless navigation experience.
2. Responsive design
Responsive web design fluidly adjusts to accommodate your visitor’s device or browser, taking into account factors such as screen width, resolution, and screen orientation. Responsive design allows visitors to experience your site just as you intended on any device type or screen size.
A successful website is one that works equally well on all viewports, no matter its size or aspect ratio, from mobile to desktop and anything in between. Responsive design achieves this result by resizing images and rearranging content rearranges to accommodate various screen sizes and browsers.
