What is good web design?

Good design vs Bad design

If web design is a creative endeavour, then are “good” and “bad” design just a matter of personal taste? How can we objectively measure what makes a good website design?

Good web design is not a matter of opinion

When many people think of web design, they think about the visual appearance of a website. This is only a small part of what web design is.

The user experience of your website and the quality of the content are what matter most

While an attractive user interface (UI) is somewhat important, the user experience (UX) and the content are far more important. A designer that approaches web design as if it is an artisitic endeavour is not what you want for your business.

The best websites in the world look simple

YouTube, Amazon, Facebook, Wikipedia, Google, Xero, Blogger, Chase – these are some of the most average looking but also the most successful websites in the world. These companies can afford the most expensive web designers money can buy – and they do hire them – and yet the websites the designers create are not filled with fancy 3D animations and special effects.

Why do you visit a website?

When you go to a website, it's for a purpose. To watch a video, read a review, search for a product – you want to get in and get out, you want simple and intuitive buttons, you want everything to be fast and for things to be easy to locate.

Nobody wants a website to waste their time

Obviously a website that is both visually appealing and easy to use is ideal. To do this you will need a designer that can predict which elements might slow down the website or cause confusion.

A good web designer will predict what the user wants to do and make it easy for them, will deliver an attractive website that reflects positively on your business, and implement it all in a way which is fast and responsive.

How I Design Websites

I start by figuring out what you and your visitors really need. Then, I build your website around those needs. This way, we keep everything straightforward but still creative.

I study what makes a website good, what design choices data and research has shown lead to better outcomes, and I use that knowledge to make you a website.

Here are just some of the stats that show the importance of good web design:

• 38% of visitors will leave a website if the layout is ugly.^(source)
• 93% of people leave a website if it doesn't display properly on their device.^(source)
• 75% of judgments about a company's credibility are based on the company's website design.^(source)
• Good UX can increase conversion rates by up to 400%.^(source)
• 40% of users, and 53% of mobile users will leave a website if it takes longer than 3 seconds to load.^(source)
• 94% of online shoppers don't trust outdated or badly designed websites.^(source)
• Custom content increases 82% of users' trust in a company.^(source)
• You are 53 times more likely to get on the first page of Google if you include video content.^(source)
• 51% of respondents mentioned thorough contact information as the most lacking content on vendor websites, and 54% said they would leave the website.^(source)
• 70% of people look at lists with bullet points (like the one you are reading right now), vs 55% for lists without bullets.^(source)
• 86% of visitors want to see a company's products and services, 64% want to contact the company, and 52% want to see the About Us section. Only 8% want to see your blog, and only 2% mentioned wanting to see pricing information on the home page.^(source)
• 84% of marketers believe design driven companies outperform other businesses.^(source)

My websites don't just look nice; they work nicely too. They're fast and friendly for everyone who visits.

Want a Better Website?

Let's have a chat and see if I can help you. I'll give you a free quote and some advice on how to make your website better.