How to Speak “Web Design”: Tips for the Uninitiated Client
by Andrew Millar
Even once you’ve made the leap and decided to hire a web designer, paralysis can set in. Learning the verbiage can seem intimidating and all the options associated with web design overwhelming. Thankfully, learning how to speak web design doesn’t require a degree or hours of studying. By following a few simple web design tips, uninitiated clients can speak fluently with any design team.
Tip #1: You Don’t Need to Start From Scratch
New clients who are looking for web design tips often get overwhelmed with the sheer list of possibilities available from a design company. There are so many different formats, colors, visuals, platforms, and options that building a fresh site can become too burdensome for a new client, particularly when an updated theme is all they need. Redesigned WordPress themes offer businesses a great option to reduce the amount of time and effort spent on web design while still providing enough individuality and innovation to stand out from the crowd. If you see a template you like, consider a custom redesign.
Tip #2: Go Big
What is often the most surprising fact about web design is that there are a wide range of designs and implementations of web design custom-fit for nearly any business. Clients don’t need to choose between a poorly designed, stock template and a high-priced, high-end website. Web design can fit a range of wants and needs while still delivering exceptional results. When looking for web design tips, reach for the stars with your design. Don’t feel buckled to any specific template or design format.
Tip #3: Don’t Be Afraid to Borrow
Unlike your high school book reports, it’s okay to borrow from other sites when designing a web site. In fact, one of the best web design tips you can follow is to take a look at your favorite websites. Consider what you like, what you dislike, and what would work for your own web design. If you have a sister site, consider a similar design to promote brand uniformity like the designs of Spine Options and BSSNY. The more examples you can offer of a web design company, the better your final design will be.
Tip #4: Consider Your Vision
Building a website is a lot like building a house. When you start the process, you want to build a strong foundation and a solid frame. What you don’t want to do is worry about the color of the trim or whether to purchase granite countertops. When thinking about web design, don’t worry about color palettes and visuals. Instead, focus on what message you want to send with your website. Are you going to rely on sweepstakes and recipes like the fun and exciting design of Fisherboy or focus on providing necessary services to customers in the form of bill pay and order processing like the format of Suburban Carting Co.? Take a step back and decide what your overall goal is for the site then build off that vision.
Tip #5: Collaborate
The best web design tips include collaborating with others. Even web designers can’t develop an award-winning, sales-driven website without the input of the business owner. Opening up the design process to different departments and working with the design team will help build the ultimate customer experience with your web design. Even the input of sales staff can help elevate a website design from a bland experience to one custom-fit for your target audience. Don’t underestimate the power of collaboration when designing a website.