Why is professional web site design so important?
by Kelly Mazaris, 3-8-2008
Nine times out of ten, your web site is your potential customer's first look at your business. How your business is perceived is directly related to the quality, efficiency and appearance of your web site. Frustrated users may leave your site before even viewing your products!
Forrester Research estimates that poor web design results in the loss of 50 percent of potential repeat visits, due to an initial negative experience.
I am an artist and personally believe that an attractive and well-designed web site will improve your user's experience on your web site. But I agree with other e-commerce experts that the three most important features of good web design have nothing to do with how pretty your web site is but with how well your site is planned and executed.
A professional web designer should make sure your web site adheres to the following three principles of web design:
- Compatibility
Your web site should download quickly and function in all browsers. Your site should look great no matter what screen resolution it's being viewed on or the user's connection speed. Too many graphics will clutter your web site and take too long to download.
- Commonsense Navigation
Your web site should be laid out in a commonsense way. Navigation menus should be placed at the top and/or left side of the page and also along the bottom of each page. Don't make users click more than twice to get to where they want to go on your site.
- Important Content First
Your user should get to your home page and instantly know what your business is about. A well-planned combination of text and pictures can convey your intended business message to users right away.
If your web site contains these elements as the backbone of its design, you will ensure a positive user experience. When your customer perceives that you have put enough thought into your web site design, they will trust you and your business. This translates into repeated hits on your web site, increased sales and, thus, a successful business!
This article is copyrighted by Lil' Dolly Designs. Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited. If you would like to use it in your publication or web site, please contact me.
Read more about Lil' Dolly Designs' Design Philosophy. |
