15 Feb Simplicity Amplified: 15 Reasons for Clean Web Design
Let’s avoid being part of the masses. We all understand how important it is to differentiate your brand from others because there are many other companies that offer the same products or services as you. Avoid design fads and go for a timeless clean and simple design. Simple has been shown to be more effective in terms of conversions for a number of reasons.
Keep: http://www.falve.co.nz/ in mind when considering the reasons below.
Some of them being:
1. Timelessness
Im sure that you don’t want your website to be outdated as soon as the next website design fad moves in. Design in general can lose its alluring feature if it is too cluttered. A timeless design would be the Nike logo and this is due to the simplicity behind it. Along with basic and/or bold typography and a simple colour scheme, one will be able to achieve and maintain a fresh and new look regardless of future trends.
2. Efficiency
Users, generally, are always on the move and do not necessarily have the time to read everything on your website. So keeping your layout clean will help users to get through your content faster. Populate the website with a purpose of sharing what is important to your users. Stick to the basic essentials.
Use white space to achieve this. Especially if your website has a lot of copy. You can highlight the most relevant information by using various sized fonts. Don’t use many fonts, just vary the size and the weight. A great example of a website that understands the needs for efficiency: http://www.latimes.com/
3. Receptivity
If you care for your users’ experience and conversion rate, you will ensure your audience doesn’t feel like your website is an entire sales advertisement. Overly complicated website with a lot of flash and pah’zaz, will make your audience hit the back space button.
When they enter your space, they should want to explore. If they feel like they are being sold something, the likelihood of the user exploring goes down dramatically. You should always consider people who are just browsing, people don’t always know what they want. So give them a chance to look around. No-one wants sales pamphlets thrown at them.
Remember, you still need clear calls to action. At least one and then return your attention to the aesthetics of the Home page. Visuals generally work better. Check out this site: http://rtastudio.co.nz/
4. Speed
It is common knowledge that the general user will not stick around long for a website to load. One would rather move on. Now, if you keep your design simple and clean, the site will load faster. Speed isn’t everything but it means a lot. Especially when it comes to your SEO.
5. Usability
Don’t give your users too many options. Keep it simple and lead them into rest of the site from the landing page design. Your call to action should encourage one course of action for the user. You also have to the navigation menu in mind. Remove all tabs that people would not regularly use. You do not want the user to wonder aimlessly through your site.
6. Conversion Rate
You cannot neglect your website. The user will definitely notice if your site is outdated; particularly regarding the design. This is a clear indication that the owner is not conscious of their conversation rate and boosting their sales.
A minimalist approach to the design of your website will give the user the impression that you care for your brand. This professional look will result in increased clicks throughout the site because the website isn’t confusing and cluttered.
Check out this site and what rebranding did for conversion rate.
Old website: https://web.archive.org/web/20110202232321/http://www.skinnyties.com/
Rebranded website: https://skinnyties.com/
Results
Revenue Growth for All Devices: 42.4%
Conversion Rate increased by: 13.6%
Bounce Rate lowered by: 23.2%
Visit duration increased by: 44.6%
[Take a look: http://gravitydept.com/blog/skinny-ties-and-responsive-ecommerce]
If you have an E-commerce website, this is crucial. Focus on your products and make it easier for your user to buy these products.
7. Maintenance
Creating a website its easy, but building a simple clean website will make it easier. This means the content management process won’t be lengthy as well as frustrating. Do yourself and anyone else who may have to work on your website a favour and keep it simple. Coding can be quite time consuming if everything isn’t organised and easy to navigate.
8. Trustworthiness
If you want to loyal clients and ultimately advocating clients, then it’s imperative to build trust between your brand and the consumer. As an E-commerce website, you want the focus to be on your products so be sure to make use of white space.
9. Costs
Simplified websites are also cheaper to host. Keep it clean and give your wallet a chance to recover after paying someone to design it for you.
Check out the numbers: https://www.cybersmart.co.za/hosting.cg
10. Professionalism
When people open your website, they need to feel the professionalism oozing from your design. The professional look is achieved by keeping the design clean and simple. Make use of large lettering, introducing the user to your brand and what you and keep the colour scheme simple.
Here is a great example. Knoed has made use of a simple design with predominantly charcoal, white and yellow as a subtle accent colour.
http://www.knoed.com/
11. First Impressions
Your user will be making judgements about your websites within seconds of it loading. Its best to wow them from the get go. Focus on one main point and use graphics, copy and large lettering to support what your brand is about.
12. Google
If you care for your SEO, pay attention. Having a simple design will ensure that Google will be able to decipher your website which will have a positive effect on the site’s Google Ranking.
13. Menu
Keep your menu simple – Only what’s necessary. If you have many pages, then use a sub menu that has been organised neatly, making it much easier for your users to explore your website. The Nike website has pulled this off really well.
https://www.nike.com/za/en_gb/
14. Content
Regarding your landing page, keep your buttons few and focus on one call to action depending on the industry you belong to. Any additional content should be supporting the call to action. By using a simple design, you will be able to draw the user’s attention to your main purpose.
15. Memorable
One thing you definitely want is for your website to be memorable. The user may not visit your site again but if you’re able to achieve a positive lasting impression on the user then you are on your way to winning. A simple design plus appropriate colour choice can be the difference between your website design being remembered for a few mins and a couple of months.
When in doubt about your website design, remember these reasons as to why a clean and simple design will work best for you. The timelessness and professionalism that comes with a minimalist design are just bonuses when considering all the reasons to opt for a simple design.
