Website design is a form of visual communication that aims to project a message to a targeted audience. For example, if you are a builder focusing on high-end designer homes, your website should project this image to potential clients with a sophisticated look and crisp images of your work – nothing cartoonish or cluttered.
The process of building a website that works starts with research, strategic planning and ensuring the content (which includes Search Engine Optimisation) communicates the essence of a business and their product and service offerings. Then comes the design – how to best represent the core offerings of the business visually, and in a way that is conducive to user-behaviour online. The development stage takes the content and design and makes them function across various platforms – phone, tablet and desktop devices.
Just like cars, computers and phones – websites are in a constant state of evolution, along with science and technology. As soon as one variation comes out, the next is already being developed. Website design trends have evolved along with the software that helps us build sites and the hardware used to view sites. Responsive web design is the perfect example of this.
Visual communication and website design is not just about “how it looks” – it is about how well it communicates a message to your target audience and how easy it is to navigate. The look, feel and functionality of a website is intertwined.
With this in mind, we take a look at website design trends for 2014:
Responsive design
This year will see responsive websites become the standard as more people use the Internet on a wide variety of devices, more often. Responsive websites are the most fluid type of website, growing, shrinking and adjusting depending on the size of screen you are viewing it on. It is the most user-friendly design possible, allowing clients to view your content with absolute ease.
Clean design
Responsive and clean design go hand-in-hand. By “clean” we don’t just mean how it looks – which should be simple, uncluttered and sophisticated – we also mean the functionality. A clean website not only looks great, but is extremely user-friendly and easy to navigate, making it easier for clients to find what they want, faster.
Flat design
Easy on the eye and easy to use, flat design is minimalist, refined and fits in well with clean and responsive design. With responsive design on the rise, the less clutter the better – websites need to be quick and easy to read, especially on smaller screens. Flat design also allows a page to have a focal point – whether it is a hero image or text – without being overpowered by other elements.
Visual storytelling
A set of great, relevant images on your website is a powerful tool in telling the story of who you are and what you do. You can sing ‘til the cows come home about your incredible custom steel fabrication projects – but if you don’t have images to back up the words then your credibility can get a little lost amongst the text. Bigger, better, clearer and more professional images take your website and credibility to the next level. Another component to visual storytelling is infographics. Done well, these will add value, interest and help to tell a story about a specific product, service or otherwise.
Based in Geelong, we service small businesses Australia-wide for website design. Pleasecontact us to discuss your business and your needs. The design of your website will depend upon what you do, who you do it for and what you want your website to achieve for your business.