One of the biggest challenges in web design is the need to constantly adapt. Changing climates in SEO, web browsing, and online marketing all mean that web designers need to think on their feet to stay ahead of the curve.
Making a website that is both attractive and functional is difficult enough as is, but keeping these pointers in mind will help you avoid the most common pitfalls in web design.
- Building a website tailored towards a specific type of device. Sure, many people love iPhones, but building a website geared towards any one device is a recipe for disaster. In the last quarter of 2015, Apple’s iOS lost market share in every major market except China. Rather than build a website for a specific device, web designers should build based around screen sizes– build the site to accommodate sizes from micro-screens to large screens rather than for laptops and iPhones.
- Building websites focused on mobile users. It’s true that more and more people are primarily browsing the web on their mobile devices, but that doesn’t rule out the importance of desktop browsers. The goal of responsive design is to build a website that can adapt to different devices, comprising the whole market. As such, don’t leave out large and extra-large screens from your design.
- Using a theme without customizing it. The web design market is now flooded like never before, making it absolutely essential that web designers customize any theme they use. Without customizing a website, you risk making it look identical or very similar to thousands or hundreds of other websites that will use the same theme. If a visitor realizes your site looks a lot like another one, they will likely get a lackluster impression of your online presence.
- Not including color change for links that have already been visited. It may not seem like a big deal, but functionality is one of the most important elements of web design. If users can’t tell what links they have and haven’t clicked on, you may be trying their patience. At this point in time, every website should be implementing this feature.
- Not including a search box. Keeping with the theme of functionality, a search box is a must for any website with more than 15 or 20 pages. A simple, no-frills search box will work with most sites, but an advanced search may be useful for a larger site. Either way, a search box helps visitors easily navigate the site.
PGN Agency has an extensive track record of bringing our clients returns on their marketing and advertising campaigns. If you would like to learn how PGN can come up with creative marketing solutions to drive YOUR business’s growth, feel free to contact us directly at 248-414-6860. One of our friendly team members will help assess your needs, and put together a game plan for success!