Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Web Design and Content : Web Design and Content Tutorials : Why is a good website design so vital?

[pixels]

The value of a good website design can never be underestimated. Web design is defined as a method of perception, preparation, and implementation, and it is important that this process is carried out effectively. Doing so requires skill that can take several years to master. It is not something that an amateur can handle and therefore an expert who has acquired ample expertise in this field is the right person who not only can give your website the desired aesthetic look and feel but along with it will ensure that your website has a professional look too.

First and foremost what you need to remember is the fact that the website is designed for visitors and the primarily come to your website looking for information. Your website will influence the user's initial perception of the website’s significance and persuade them to explore deeper into your website.

Your website is the spokesperson on behalf of you and so it must expose your business and the products or services you provide positively facilitating the very purpose it is intended to accomplish. A well-crafted web design should therefore constructively concentrate on the core requirement of your customer both in terms of accessibility and information, thus helping in effective decision-making.

Therefore, it is crucial that your website is structured in such a way that the visitor can locate his required information easily and quickly, and need not look around for too long or has a chance of getting lost in the website. Lack of a proper structure and information can puzzle the visitor and make him quit within a few seconds without even going deeper into your website. Hence the result is you can loose a visitor, who could have possibly been your customer.

The essence of good web site design is not just having great graphic or wonderful colors on the website, but along with its great look there are subtle factors that make your website well balanced thus delivering your business message seamlessly. Some such useful hints that should be considered in order to label a website as ‘good’ are listed below:

a. The website should have a neat and proper navigation. This is one of the most important point to be taken into account while designing your website. The Homepage of the website should have a Top and a Left Navigation in order to give the visitor a glimpse of what is available within your website.

b. Make sure that the Homepage is linked from all the inner pages of your website via a ‘home’ link on the website navigation menu, which ideally comprises of ‘home’, ‘about us’, ‘site map’ and ‘contact us’. However this can vary from case to case. Also the Logo of the website should idyllically have a link to the Homepage of the website.

c. Yet another very vital thing that you should always remember to put in your website is a ‘Site Map’. It helps to understand the visitor the structure of your website like what are the main menus and what are the submenus located under those main menus etc. The visitor can simply select the page that he needs and can be there with a mere click of his mouse button.

In a nutshell, a good design adds value to your website and its performance. And what is you are not serious about your website’s design and pay no attention to it?

A tawdry designed website is sure to dissuade users from even entering your website. Again a design that is entirely inappropriate for the website's theme can cause much harm. As long as you provide your visitors with such poor design, be rest assured that you will never have returning visitors. So, why not give your website that ‘professional’ element thus conveying a strong message to your visitors about your sincerity and that they can trust you with their money for guaranteed quality results and complete satisfaction.

[H0stD3m0n]

A great web design also should grab the visitor's attention within the first 20 seconds after loading or the rest really doesn't matter. Another point is that the design should not look like everyone else's to stand out but should contain the above mentioned.

[TX-Gumbo]

I agree, but you left out loading quickly.

Viewers will only wait 1 to 2 seconds for a home page to load. If it takes longer than that for your page to load you stand a good chance of them never noticing your spectacular design. They will be off to another site that gives them instant gratification.

Design catch visitor attentions at first 10 seconds. If once visitors approve or like design then he is near by to like whole site(content, menu and soo). I was read this somewhere

[tnorris]

design indicates a level of superiority or professionalism as well

perhaps even with proven good service, a bad design can easily ruin a merchants ability to gain new customers

[Ricu]

i rely on design when i surf the internet , a bad designed website shows me how serious they are.

[webuser001]

A bad or old design and even slow loading times from a merchant makes me turn somewhere else.

[jerett]

What I like to consider a good web site is how well the content is presented to the audience. This includes the placement of that content (layout), speed in which the content is delivered (load time), and whether it should be displayed as text or image/photo.

Often times people get caught up in the style of the design and will use "design" in place of the word "style" (I don't like the design of that site. When they should say - I don't care for the style of that site). But actually "design" is the complete overall presentation of the site, not just the style. And style is very subjective to who is viewing it. Some will like the style and some won't. The true objective to a good site is how the content is presented.

[webshack]

Most people shopping by look of the package, now days website could be consider as a product package.

[Janickhz]

it must not be hard to find something, but a site where you can surf easy tru the menu's, also visitors like quickly loading websites.

[Paul-M]

Originally Posted by TX-Gumbo

I agree, but you left out loading quickly.

Viewers will only wait 1 to 2 seconds for a home page to load. If it takes longer than that for your page to load you stand a good chance of them never noticing your spectacular design. They will be off to another site that gives them instant gratification.

Actually, studies say 8 seconds.

[Gav L]

Originally Posted by Swivelhost - Paul

Actually, studies say 8 seconds.

Although it does slightly differ between age ranges.
If I remember correctly 12-25 were 8 seconds where 25-60 were about 20 seconds.

[BSD4]

I concur entirely.

[Paul-M]

Originally Posted by Gav L

Although it does slightly differ between age ranges.
If I remember correctly 12-25 were 8 seconds where 25-60 were about 20 seconds.

Probably because they are more patient

If a website takes more than 4 seconds with no signs of loading I always back out. It shouldn't take that long... Especially since I'm not on a very slow connection

[deluxegaming]

so true.
Someone once told me which totally agree with, is your website is like the front of your shop. its what sells the product/service, if the audience is not happy with the way your website is layed out then you;ve just lost yourself a customer.