Break the Internet: 5 Key Considerations to Think About When Designing Your Website

It’s 2019 and the internet already has a long and storied history. The days when you could run a business without an internet presence are pretty much over unless you belong to one of very few, highly specific niches. For most people, it’s a given that you need an online presence, often more than just a website too.

For a modern business, a website is only the start. There are also social media, mobile presence, targeted advertising, and more. But to start with, a website will do. However, there are some important points to consider when designing a site. Let’s take a look at our top 5.

• Mobile is Massive

With around 70% of users using their phone to browse the internet, mobile compatibility should never be ignored. Doing so would be the same as locking out a large number of prospective customers.

Having a site which is available on mobile is a start, but you really have to look at a design which is optimized specifically for mobiles too. Otherwise, you risk your site appearing in awkward or even unusable ways. This might mean changing the site for mobile users, such as removing a video that autoplays on your homepage or offering a more streamlined version of your navigation bars.

• What Theme Are You Going With?

When it comes to web design theme/image can be very important. Try checking out websites for Nike, Apple and Coca-Cola. These are three of the biggest brands in the world, and each has their own unique brand image. This shows through on their websites too – browse through any of them at random, you won’t be mistaking which ones site you’re on.

• What is the Purpose?

What is the reason you have a website? The answer to this will depend on what you do and how established you are. Some brands maintain a site purely as a contact and information point, whilst others are actively pushing their site to create more brand awareness. There are brands who want to sell a product, others who want to inform, some who want to connect and so much more on top.

You need to know what the purpose of your website is and keep this in mind when designing it. If you’re after sales or sign-ups, don’t go with a strange, slow video opening which could cause customers to close out of your site before they even reach your product pages. Likewise, if you’re here to inform, don’t create a basic site with a product list, check out the page, and little else.

• Be User-Friendly!

People should be able to easily navigate around your site and find whatever they’re looking for. The worst thing you can do is get in the way of a customer who is moving deeper into your website.

• Domain Name

Make sure your domain name is relevant and useful for your site. Using your brand name is usually the safest bet, though if you go with something else (for whatever reason) make sure that you own the domain name of your brand itself. Leaving it unowned allows other people to purchase it and place competing or damaging sites up on that domain name – and some people will guess this is your actual site and head there.