Designing for a website is difficult when you want both aesthetics and functionality. Sometimes beautifully made websites can be fun to look at, but may not be user interface friendly. There are also websites which are made to be purely functional, but the graphics are a total bore. A middle ground between the two is needed so the best of both worlds can come together to create something amazing: a website that is gorgeous and usable. Sounds easy doesn’t it? Wouldn’t that be the bees knees if that were the case!
Okay, so here’s how we think you should plan before you design your website:
1. Write a list of goal outcomes for your website.
2. Research your competitors. See what you like and don’t like about their sites.
3. Visit hundreds of websites and record which ones you liked and why. Share these findings with the design firm you choose in step 4.
4. Interview web design firms. Choose the designer(s) whose portfolio and work style suit your needs.
5. Share with the design team what you want to accomplish for your website.
So, now it’s time to review your goals and consider how your new or current website is working at achieving these goals. This will help you decide on a layout that finds that middle ground that you need for a beautiful and functional website.
Try following one of our favorite rules at October 17 Media – “Form ever follows function!” It may be beautiful to have elaborate designs and illustrations, but if it becomes distracting and doesn’t serve a purpose to your website, then you can afford to simplify your design.
If you keep these tips in mind and are able to find strategies to meet your goals, then you are ready to start designing!
Below are some examples of great web designs and user friendly capabilities:
- Custom Bags HQ – An eCommerce website that makes it fun and easy to personalize and order plastic bags
- CampLuxe – Shopping for camp gear can actually seem luxurious when browsing through this beautifully designed website
- The ACC – Promotes and advertises shows/events in a well organized manner
- The Bullitt Agency – A very fun and interesting navigating site that making it simple for users to browse through
- Odosketch – A fun website that allows users to practice creating speed drawings/paintings, while also featuring completed artwork in time lapse videos
October 17 Media was excited to sit down with Erin McConnell from Vancouver’s TransLink, a leader in the Vancouver social media scene, to talk about their marketing and customer service tactics.
