Website design refers to the overall look and feel of a website. It involves the creation of web pages that are interactive, engaging and match a brand’s aesthetics. Web designers are skilled at creating websites that both look good and are effective at converting visitors into customers. They are also proficient at designing sites that work across all platforms, from desktop computers to mobile devices. A great website should have a clean, crisp layout with images that complement the overall look and feel of the brand.
A website can take the form of an e-commerce site, blog, social media hub or information repository. Each has its own unique set of requirements, but all have the same goal of attracting and engaging visitors so they take the desired action on the site. The best way to accomplish this is by using clear, concise calls-to-action (CTAs) that direct users to the next step in the buyer’s journey.
Web designers use a coding language known as Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) to create the structure of each page and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) to determine how the page will appear. They may hand code each individual page or use a program like Adobe Dreamweaver to assist in the design process. In the past, a lot of attention was given to aesthetics, but with the proliferation of mobile devices and the importance of loading speed, minimalistic and lightweight designs are becoming more common.
There are many different types of websites, from educational to news sites, pornography, and forums. Each one has its own unique layout and content, but all share some similar elements in terms of design:
Most have a header that depicts the navigation menu or map of the website with links to the various pages within the site. Some have a footer that adds page links, contact information, physical business addresses, a search bar and/or social media buttons. Some websites contain just a single page and are referred to as one-page websites or microsites.
A blog is a regularly updated online journal that can be personal or business-related, often featuring articles on a specific topic or theme. It can be a way for companies to promote their products and services, or simply a means to generate leads through content marketing. A wiki, on the other hand, allows people to edit and share content in a collaborative fashion, with varying levels of access for each user.
The most important thing to remember when it comes to website design is that the utility of the site is more important than the visual appeal. The user is the only judge of whether a website meets its goals, so always keep your visitor in mind when making design decisions. It is also helpful to document the design process so that in the future, you can understand why certain decisions were made. For example, you might want to note the rationale behind your choice of fonts, or you might need to reference notes about how a particular piece of content works with the rest of the site.