3 Rules to Remember with Website Design

Imagine walking through a mall for the very first time and looking for a specific style of shoes. There are dozens of stores to choose from, many of which probably have exactly what you are looking for. So how will you be able to decide which stores to shop in? Whether or not you are aware of it, you’ll immediately begin to narrow down your search by first looking at storefronts that seem relevant, professional and easy to access. Then you’ll begin looking into other things like price, selection, service and so forth.

The same principle applies to the Internet. Every second, millions of people are shopping online. Everyone who is on the Internet is shopping for something. They could be shopping for products like shoes, but people are also constantly looking for services and information. So how can you help your website attract traffic and become a memorable, valuable place for people to visit?

Having a good website design is a major part of running a successful business. Here are three rules that will help your website stand out and attract repeat visitors.

Rule #1: Simplicity is always better than complexity.

Simplicity is one reason the iPod has become the standard of music players. The rule of simplicity applies in almost every aspect of our lives, and websites are no exception.

It’s easy to get distracted into adding new, cool technologies to your website that you think people will find amusing and fun. But one thing that will make people visit and return to your website is if it’s uncomplicated and easy-to-use.

To keep your website simple, there are some things you need to avoid. First of all, don’t use counters to track traffic. They are annoying, serve no purpose to the visitor, and they’re a dead give away if you don’t get much traffic. You should also avoid putting anything that needs a plug-in on your site because people will be hesitant to download any software just to access information on your site. Odd document formats or too much flash animation can also be a big distraction, as can heavy use of graphics.

You will want to use a layout that is logical and simple to navigate. Navigation bars should be easy to reference, and color use should be simple and attractive instead of multifarious and distracting. Remember, no one ever says, “I wish this were more complex.”

Rule #2: Keep a solid focus

Decide early on what you want your website to be, and then stick to that formula. Websites that are not focused are normally hard to navigate, but they’re also hard for people to remember. Unless you are an encyclopedia, you’ll want to limit your content to a very specific topic and provide as much information on that topic as you can. But make sure the information you provide is relevant, interesting and, of course, correct. If you have a little information on a lot of topics, what you really have is nothing; that is, nothing that people will easily remember.

In keeping focused, you’ll also want to update your website regularly, with new written materials, graphics, and other useful tools and information for your visitors. Stagnant websites seldom warrant regular visits.

Rule #3: Make your website user-friendly

Make sure you keep your website accessible to everyone. That means you need to take the time to do your coding correctly and make sure your website is navigable for all the popular Internet browsers, including Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Opera and Safari.

And this goes along with simplicity, but don’t forget to make your information easy to find. Search functions and site maps are helpful, but also make sure not to bury information that people will be using regularly. If people have to click through more than a few pages to find what they’re looking for, they’ll probably go somewhere else.

You’ll also want to provide a way for people to easily access you. People have come to expect to see a “Contact Us” link somewhere on your website. Live chat and an FAQ (frequently asked questions) are also extremely helpful resources that can help your website stand out.

At the end of the day, people will go back to the websites that have the best design, easiest access and most relevant information. That is what will encourage people to choose your site over and over again.