You want your site to look amazing (or, crisp as we prefer to say). You want a stylish design, colors that pop and a personal touch - and there isn't anything wrong with that. But it's important to remember that all of that is secondary to functionality.
Focus on your users
Don’t get me wrong. A good looking website is a good looking website. We are not asking you to make your site look like a sack of potatoes. But, a website should be pleasing to look at while being user-friendly. So when you start designing and you see something you like, take a step back and think:
"Is that friendly for my users?"
Forget the trends
It’s easy to get caught up in what everybody else is doing, and strive to follow the trends of the time. But there is one problem with this: the recent trends are not always what is best for your ideal customer's behavior. If we overlook this when we build the website, the visitors will leave without converting against your S.M.A.R.T goals. It’s good that your website looks fantastic - but a fantastic website converts visitors. It's all about the bottom line.
Your website should look good, while still focusing on the user. It’s no easy task, but whenever you have to make a decision between design and functionality, go for the functionality. Forget the trends, and focus on the end user.
Checklist for a functional website:
- Start with wireframes focused on the end user.
- Keep buttons, CTA’s, navigation and forms simple and clean with direct language.
- Test, test and improve each day; that's how your design gets even better.
- Add fancy designed details last.
What's your 50 cent?
Please let me know what you think? If you want to know more of you succeed with your website redesing please download our guide.