How to Avoid Bad Web Design

There's good news about bad website design! It's easy to identify and it's just as easy to fix. Here are a few examples of common design errors and how to fix them:

1. Don’t make your viewers search for the search box
Every website should have a highly visible search box – most commonly placed in the upper right corner.
TIP: Always test your search box to make sure that viewers can quickly and easily find the content they are looking for on your website.

2. Choose the right font style and size
Good web design features a specific set of font styles and sizes. In this case, less is more. Font choices are commonly influenced by your branding, but careful attention should be paid to size, color and style to ensure easy reading on the web.
TIP: Sans serif fonts are always a good choice and try to avoid light color fonts on light backgrounds.

3. Organize and prioritize your content
Your web content will drive traffic to your site, but content without organization and prioritization will drive traffic away. Most viewers scan web pages for points of interest.
TIP: Highlighting your most current and impactful text is key. Allow content of a lower priority to be secondary, but still searchable. Outdated content should be removed. The use of color, borders, artwork and even headlines, sub heads and bullets are just a few simple ways to organize and prioritize content.

4. Use a “3-Click” test for your navigation
Research shows that if users can’t find what they want in 3 clicks or less, most will immediately leave your website. That’s why your navigation should be seamless, intuitive and consistent.
TIP: If you’re using text links in your navigation make them short, concise and easy to find. Bad links should be avoided and removed. Group links that have a common subject together.

5. Consistency is key
If you want to flaunt your creativity by having a different design for each of your web pages, you certainly have the right to do so. Unfortunately, this will confuse and annoy most viewers. If the overall look and feel of your website is not consistent, users can’t relate to it, feel less in control and end up leaving as soon as they arrived.
TIP: Be consistent with your brand by using similar colors, fonts and artwork. Web pages should have a design that transitions across all pages and unites your website with a branded theme. These steps will provide your site with a brand, a personality and style that viewers will relate to and remember.

6. Responsive design
Responsive design means that your site will appear quickly and flawlessly on a variety of media – desktop computers, laptops, tablets and cell phones. Viewers will not have to endlessly scroll or enlarge your site to make is visible and usable. 
TIP: Work with your web designer to ensure your site benefits from responsive design. Always test each type of media to make sure your design looks great on all of them.

7. Avoid complicated registration forms
It’s important to remember that users visit a website to acquire information. Not the other way round. Don’t frustrate viewers with a long list of questions. Web viewers want ease of use and speed.
TIP: Ask short, concise questions. If you ask more than 10 questions, give your list a second look to see if you can make it smaller. Less is more.

8. Images – quality and quantity
Too many images on a web page are a huge turn off. Images should be used sparingly to direct the viewer’s attention to specific content. Don’t skimp on quality.
TIP: If your image isn’t crisp and clear or if the colors aren’t just right – do not use it.  Find another way to draw attention to your content – perhaps headline art, color, background or border.

9. Whitespace is your friend
Whitespace is a web designer’s best friend. To avoid having a busy, cluttered and unreadable page, use whitespace. Whitespace allows your site and its content to reside in a comfortable, clean, organized space. More importantly, viewers will have an easier time navigating, consuming and retaining your site content.
TIP: Think of your web site home page as a billboard that you have 3 seconds to read as you drive by. What are the main points you want to get across to viewers? Are these points prominent on your home page? If not, remove items that complicate your page and prevent viewers from focusing on the main items.

10. Test, Test and Test
Test your website by looking at it from the consumers point of view.
TIP: Check your website for the following:

• Does your site work on a variety of browsers? (Chrome, Safari, Mozilla, etc.)
  
• Does your website function perfectly on all media? (Laptop, Cell Phone, Desktop, Tablet, etc.)  
  
• Do all your links work correctly?
  
• Have you removed outdated content?
  
• Are your forms easy to complete and function properly?
  
• Does your website have a consistent design that matches your company branding and identity?
  

11. Keep it simple
If it’s simple, it’s usable – by you, your staff and your customers. Don’t build a website that’s difficult to monitor, update or use. Simple can be creative, easy to use, attractive and engaging.
TIP: Embrace having a simple, user friendly site that’s easy to update. 

For more tips and tricks on how to make your website creative, engaging and effective, contact FUSARO CONSULTING for a free review of your current website or to discuss the development of a new website.

---