Whether you are creating a website for a small business, product, service, or your own portfolio, it is essential to get acquainted with web design basics. There are several key elements to consider, such as the purpose of your website, identifying the audience, design, usability and branding.
Understanding web design basics can help boost your brand or business’s reputation by building credibility and establishing trust with your visitors. Though there are many aspects of web design to consider, we will cover some of the web design basics you’ll need to get started on your website.
The first stage of creating your website is determining the purpose of your website. Are you creating a digital portfolio, showcasing your business’s services to potential customers, or selling products online? What is the goal of your website? Clarity is key: if users do not understand your website, they will leave. Your website’s purpose should be clear and direct.
Once you establish the intent of your website, the next step is to determine your target audience.
Who is your website for? Designing for your intended users is one of the quintessential basics of web design. If you are a product designer looking for a new job, your target audience for your portfolio site would be hiring managers and recruiters. This will help shape what is a priority on your website and how to funnel users into the right place.
To identify your target audience, conduct user research on demographics, location and user goals. Consider looking at competitor websites and their social media pages to analyze who their target audience is and compare them to your website’s needs. Also try to research your target audience and tailor your website’s content and copy towards their needs. This increases their chances of remembering your site.
Razer creates gaming peripherals for computers and video game consoles. Razer’s branding, color scheme, and use of dark imagery all appeal to gamers, who tend to play in darker settings. Through the use of imagery of their gaming products as well as tone in their language, advertising their products’ “unfair advantage,” the company has audibly defined their target audience.
Razer makes concerted efforts to reach out to its audience through its community portal. On your new website, consider including a community section, or at the very least, a contact page.
Now that you know the purpose and audience of your website, it is time to make a plan. Are you creating your website through hiring a developer or trying to figure out HTML, CSS, and Javascript? If you aren’t, do not be discouraged. There are services such as Squarespace, Wix and WordPress that offer no-code ways to build a website that supports desktop and mobile platforms.
Once that’s decided, figure out your budget for web hosting and domain. And decide on when you will launch your site.
Generate ideas for your website by seeking inspiration from other sites! If you’re feeling stuck, confused about where to start, or are unsure of how you want your website to look, there are a plethora of websites to satisfy your palette.