Did you know that there are over a billion smartphones in the world today? Not surprisingly, people are using these phones to access various websites about the products and services they need.
If you?re a company with a website, you likely realize this and understand that great web design is key to not only having customer visit your site, but ensuring that they make a purchase and return later as a repeat customer.
The internet of 2016 is a whole different world than it used to be. What should you be keeping in mind?
Freelance Web Designers are a Dying Breed
The time has come and gone for websites being a one time transaction. Instead, websites need to be routinely cared for and updated. When so much is riding on the line, it simply doesn?t make sense to entrust your online storefront to someone just out of college simply because they submitted the lowest design bid. These days, it?s internet marketing firms that are helping to shape the future of good web design — less so freelancers working out of their basement.
How Users Interact With Websites
The trouble with information is that there?s too much of it sometimes. No — really! If you want to know exactly what you need to make a website appealing to consumers, the information is out there — everything from font size to button color has been studied. This is one reason it makes sense to hire a web designer — who has time to look up the ideal placement location for a ?click to pay? button when you have a business to run?
Less Stock Photography
Although it has less to do with web design, this warrants a mention. Studies have shown that users tend to ignore stock photography but will focus more on images that feel personal and real — ?Users pay close attention to photos and other images that contain relevant information but ignore fluffy pictures used to ?jazz up? Web pages,? explains the Nielsen Norman Group after tracking how users? eyes move across photos. If you?re trying to instill confidence in your company, why not showcase what they?re actually doing rather than using a generic image of business people wearing suits? Good web design means using less stock elements period, whether this is photographs or pay buttons on your site.
Closer Ties to Internet Marketing
The best internet marketing feels as organic as possible. For this reason, websites in 2016 are going to be more involved in companies’ efforts to reach out to consumers, whether this means through blogs or through contests that encourage them to click.