The term web design is used to describe the design process that is related to the front-end (client side) design of web pages including the layout, content production, and graphic design.
Among these, the layout of your web page helps the visitant making the decision to click on a certain element of the webpage. That shows that the layout of a web page is a very important part in the whole web design process.
Thus, it is necessary for a web designer to utilize all the tools and markup languages that can craft a super cool layout for a web page . Hypertext markup language is the simplest example of markup language (consisting HTML tags) that manage web page layout. Furthermore, web designers use CSS to maintain the appearance of web page.
However, possessing the knowledge of these markup languages and tools is not enough, there are many web design rules or best practices that a web designer must follow. These rules can decide the fate of a web page or the whole web site. Here are 7 best web design practices that will benefit all types of web designer.
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1. Strong planning before designing
You have to plan and analyze well before getting started. A powerful prototyping is needed for this. You must do some pen and paperwork before beginning your style. When you doing these things, build a rough sketch of your website into your mind and then proceed further.
The benefits of doing so are that it gives the direction to the whole web design team. It defines the project in detail and establishes project boundaries, scope, and deliverables. Also, it improves accountability and skills of a website designer.
Strong planning identifies actual needs of your designing and gives the idea about required elements such as project scope, schedule cost, quality and risk.
2. Stay Up to date with new web design technology
You should keep watching the latest trends of web design because the technology takes updates everyday. For this, you must take out some time from your schedule to learn new things about web design and its new elements.
You must analyze what your strong competitors are doing, this is a good way to update your knowledge.
Also, you should research about latest design trends like:
Microinteractions, Material Design, Responsive design
Long shadows, Vibrant color schemes, Simple typography
Ghost buttons, Minimalism etc.
3. Concentration on core skills
Along with these, you should be updated with the new core skills like motion user interface or Motion UI, Browser based IDEs and computer vision power of a browser etc.
4. Collect information about your client
You should research well about the client’s company. You must apprehend all the items which are related to your client.
Also, you should ask well to the client, what he wants and expects from the design.
For this, you must check the portfolio of your client. Also, you should research well about the client’s business space, their goals, their competition and their history.
5. You should have the knowledge of SEO
These days, search engine optimization is the key element of whole web designing process. If your web page appears on search engines then you can attract additional visitors. Therefore, you’ll be able to get additional traffic on your site.
Folks assume that users visit your site from home page however it’s not true. Most of the visitor lands on your site through different pages not just from home page. So, you should design every targeted page as a landing page which is optimized well with rich information.
6. A designer should have business sense
Either you are working in a company or you are a freelance designer, you should have a business sense . You must be capable enough to make decisions and having the sense to handle the risks.
Having a business sense will teach you about marketing and advertising. It will help you to make public relations as it is the best tool to increase your revenue. Also, it teaches you to develop profitable graphic solutions for your clients not just graphic designs.
7. You should maintain a good portfolio
The portfolio is a solid proof to point out, what you’re capable of. It is the most effective medium to showcase your aesthetics and skills.It includes layouts, content management, composition, typography, colors, techniques and style rationales.
Also, your portfolio should be maintained with latest updates as it showcases that you are a vigilant designer or not.
To exhibit your designing skills, you can use these portfolio sites Dribbble , Carbonmade.com, Behance and Wix.com . These are some free sites where you can create and maintain your portfolio.
If you need inspiration from some portfolio designs, you can take help from Studio Schurk and Gisele Jaquenod . These are some brilliant examples of design portfolios.
The designing of your website decides whether a user will continue on your site or not. Your design communicates with your customers through your website. Thus, a strong web design is the foremost remunerative way to bring a rapid ROI to your business. Also, it is the most important factor to market a business or promoting a product.