Web Design Tips…
What distinguishes your website from the countless others that are similar to it? If you can’t answer that question within about ten seconds then it may be time for you to spend a little time on branding your website to make it stand out from the crowd. Here we look at five web design branding tips to separate your site from the competition, and to help you build a distinctive and memorable online presence.
1 – Use consistent colours and design aesthetics throughout your site
The colours you use in your web design will often be the first thing that visitors notice, so you should firstly make sure that they fit with each other, are visually pleasing and don’t distract from your actual content. You should also use the same colour scheme and design style consistently throughout each page of your website, to solidify your branding and avoid jarring the user mid-way through their visit.
2 – Tie your web design in with offline, social media and email marketing branding
No website is an island, and when designing it you should consider your other marketing content and how it reinforces your online profile as well as your primary ‘real world’ brand. Consistent branding across your online and offline presence will help you to establish yourself as a distinctive entity within the consciousness of prospective customers.
3 – Display your logo prominently
Your logo can be a powerful tool for building brand recognition and succinctly conveying your core values. Don’t hide it away at the bottom of the page or neglect to use it – display it often where it is likely to be seen. Think of the big boys like a certain fast food chain and how their iconic logo is instantly recognisable, no matter where in the world you are. Your logo has the same potential to make a significant impact on your audience, so use it to its best advantage.
4 – Ensure your design reflects what you actually do
If you’re selling cuddly toys, you probably don’t want a design that’s slick and functional. Likewise, if you offer professional services such as legal advice or security protection, it would be a mistake to use a quirky and playful design. Make sure that the design fits in with the overall image that you are trying to convey.
5 – Dare to do something different
Conversely, ‘off the wall’ can sometimes have a really positive impact on your profile. There’s nothing wrong with taking a look at your competitors’ websites to see what they’ve done with their web design, but don’t feel like you need to copy their way of doing things. Differentiate your business by doing something that no one else has.
