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Web Whisper's 13 Design Secrets

Design on the internet is different to the design of leaflets and brochures. Layout, graphics, colour and usability need to be sensitive to the internet user.

The Psychology is different to brochures and television. If people are looking for a product or service, they do not want to be 'entertained' by gimmicky web features. 'Skip Intro' is the most clicked buttons on indulgent Flash-driven Home Pages.

Here are Web Whisper's 13 Top Design Secrets for Success

1. Initial reactions are instinctual. You have under one-eighth of a second to make or break an instinctual response from your reader. Then you have under two seconds to non-verbally communicate what you are about. And then you have to back that up by demonstrating within 8 seconds that you can deliver what the user is looking for.
   
   
2. Analyse page 'hot spots' and natural eye progression tracks and you will ensure your reader is drawn to key information in the right order



3. The order should be:
   • Clinch a positive gut instinct
   • Display what you offer
   • Create visual desire and reassurance
   • Provide the solution
   • Earn credibility by avoiding inconsistencies
   • Make sure you have well-placed 'Calls to Action'
   
   
4. Layout should support information quest, not hinder it
. Top level navigation and 'you are here' markers should be available on all pages.


5. Moving images and graphics should be kept to an absolute minimum unless you can really justify their use (ie. demos, education, etc). They distract the user from your information pathway and can drive people away.



6. The most clicked button on 'Loading Intro..' buttons on flashy Doorway pages is 'Skip Intro'.



7. Allow your design to support content. Think of the relationship in terms of a vase and flowers. If the vase is too obvious, it obscures the flowers.
   
   
8. Website design changes very quickly. Keeping your site simple gives it better scalability for the future.
   


9. Clear, simple, elegant lines are preferred where possible. Even sites that need to deliver a densely-packed amount of information are most successful when they have a neat design. There are, of course, exceptions. For example, a site targetted for teens may choose to be noisy and busy. Know your audience.
   


10. Producing a clear, uncluttered site with intuitive layout and navigation requires more design talent than imagined. It's the 'looks easy when you know how' factor.



11. 'Features' are usually only fun for the web programmer. A poetry teacher once said that we were allowed to use the word 'Thou' once in our life, so choose very carefully. I would treat web gimmicks with the same regard.
    
    
12. Check your layout periodically during development on different browsers. There is nothing more heart-breaking than to have spent days and weeks developing your beautiful new website and then take a peek at it in a different browser and discover it looks a mess. We check our sites in Internet Explorer, Firefox (Windows and Mac), Safari, Iceweasel and Konqueror.
    


13. You've done all of this and stand back to admire your gleaming new website. But have you remembered to make it easy for people to buy from or contact you? Include 'Call to Action' points on every page. Make sure that after all your carefully laid plans, it is easy for people to contact and/or buy from you.

A thorough understanding of design and user habits for the web is vital for your Marketing Strategy to deliver as you intend.

If you would like to talk through your website ideas, we would love to hear from you.

Web Whisper Designs