beginner mistakes in website design
If you have an online or offline business, you understand the importance of having a website and online presence, and mistakes in website design will undoubtedly affect the performance of your website. However, if this is your first website and you designed it yourself, you may have made some mistakes while building it. Fortunately, many of these mistakes are easy to correct.
What is website design?
Website design or web design is called the stages of designing and building an internet site to inform, introduce the company and present its products. Website design is a process that consists of web page layering, content creation, graphic design and compliance with SEO principles . Before reviewing the steps of website design, let’s take a brief look at its design history.
What is the history of website design?
Tim Bernersley, the inventor of the web, made his name as the first web developer in history by launching the first website in 1991. In the first website, hypertext and communication were used to send email. In this simple text site, no graphics, images or even coloring are used and it is still available.
What are the stages of website design?
As mentioned, website design means designing, building and launching a website or optimizing an old website on the internet. Web Design consists of 4 main steps, each of which is described below.
Step 1: Wireframe design
First, we design an overview of the site according to the type of site and the customer’s needs. This view includes a general map of the site’s pages and determining the location and arrangement of various elements . This stage of website design is called “wireframe design”.
Step 2: Website graphic design
After determining the placement of site elements, we need to design the site. At this stage, the site is designed according to the type of internet business and using special software for coloring and graphics.
Step 3: Coding and programming
According to the designed site and the customer’s needs, at this stage, different methods can be used to manage the site. Content management systems such as WordPress or designing a dedicated programming framework. Decisions in this section are made based on costs and customer needs.
Step 4: Setting up the site
After completing the previous 3 steps, we will launch the site on the global Internet platform. At this stage, after preparing a “host” and “proper domain name”, we configure the site and make it available to the public.
What are the duties of a site designer?
The duties of a site designer depend on which part of the site he is responsible for designing and building. To set up a professional site, two teams or two people are needed. A team to design the shape and appearance of the site and a team to design server codes and codes that are not visible to users.
Types of website design
In the previous part, we got acquainted with the concept of Frontend and Backend of the site. Now we will examine the types of website design.
Sites are divided into two general categories Static Website and Dynamic Website : .
In static sites :
Only the front-end part is done, This means that the contents of the site are collected only once and each page of the site is designed and loaded separately. In these sites, any changes must be made by the site’s designer and expert. This model is usually used to design introductory websites (the content of which does not change for a long time).
Dynamic site :
In the design of these sites, both front-end and back-end parts are programmed. Dynamic sites require constant content changes and are designed and developed according to the use of the site. In dynamic sites, the back-end programmer is responsible for making the website dynamic and must design a script that makes the site fully dynamic.
But what we will discuss next is to examine the issue of “What is the point of web design and what can be the purpose of its design?”
In today’s world, for almost every purpose, a site is designed to be used as a base for information, sales, etc. The most successful of these sites are those that have properly followed the principles of site design and optimization to display content to their audience. Designing and building an efficient and successful website makes it possible to provide the audience with the latest products along with their complete specifications in the shortest possible time.
Where do we start to design a website?
The most important factor in becoming a professional web designer is learning basic concepts and then gaining experience . The best reference in the field of learning web design can be project-based training in the field of website design. By doing various projects during training, you can gain initial experience in the field of developing and online a site. In the following, we will explain step by step what steps you should take to become a professional web designer.
First step: learning HTML language
HTML stands for Hyper Text Markup Language, which is called “hypertext markup language” in Farsi. HTML is used to create the main body and overall structure of web pages. This language works with tags (categorization and labeling in the presentation of site content) and it is these tags that determine what elements are used on the web page.
Second step: learning CSS language
The second step for someone who plans to design a website is to use the language (CSS Cascading Style Sheets). This language is used to beautify and format web pages. With the help of CSS, you can determine properties such as color, font, dimensions, size, how to arrange elements, etc. on the web page.
The third step: Learning the JavaScript language
By mastering HTML and CSS languages, you will be able to design static web pages . But today, users are more accepting of interactive and dynamic sites. JavaScript is one of the most popular programming languages to make the website dynamic, which supports different programming methods. This language can be used for server side programming, mobile applications, games and desktop applications.
Fourth step: Learning a server-side programming language such as PHP
Web developers are divided into two categories:
- Client-side programmers: design the appearance of the site
- Server-side programmers: implement the logic of the site
In order to have a useful and useful site, it is not enough to have a beautiful design, in addition to form and beauty, sites also need correct and efficient content. Sites should be designed in such a way that they fulfill the needs of the users properly.
In large web projects, it is necessary to use a server-side language. The importance of using a programming language is clearly defined when we want to communicate between the user, the database and the server. By learning php, you can write scripts to get information from users and after processing this information, return them to the user.
Site design conditions
In addition to the things mentioned above, the terms of website design are also important things that should be taken into consideration. Setting up a website is just like setting up a store, and you should consider a suitable place, name, manager, etc. Setting up a successful website requires 4 main parts , which include the following:
- Choose the right domain name
- Hosting (space rental for logging in, storing information and site contents)
- Beautiful and functional template design
- Site management and control system
Website design cost
So far, we have learned about the concept of website design and its steps. But the correct and principled start of any activity requires spending money. In this section, we will examine the costs of having a professional website. According to what we will say, you can estimate the approximate costs of web design.
You have to pay for the design and construction of the site. In this section, we examine how to estimate and calculate the cost of website design
If you rely on your website to drive user traffic, then you want your website to be smooth, clear and straightforward. Below we have mentioned ten mistakes in website design that many beginners make in building their website and solutions to fix it:
1. Lack of perspective
Your website should exist for a definite reason, not just because you think you should have an online presence. You must decide on the purpose of the website even before you start building it.
The website should have a specific purpose, so that every page on the website works to fulfill that purpose. For example, your website can be used to build credibility and influence, source new leads, sell products or services, provide information about your business, and much more.
Users who enter your website should immediately know what the website is about.
2. Rushing to market
Instead of getting your website up and running as soon as possible, spend time doing your market research first. For example, if you have an older target market, you need to make sure that your website is easy to read, digest and navigate.
By understanding your market rather than simply taking up space, you will be able to serve your target market with your website.
We suggest you read the article What is Angular ?
3. Complicated design is one of the biggest mistakes in website design
A successful website should be designed as simply as possible and without any frills. Having an overly complex design will only lead to confusion.
Your design goal should be to create the best possible user experience throughout the website.
4. Overly conventional design (fashionable)
Hot topics come and go, but timeless design remains forever. By building your website based on consistent design principles, your website will stay ahead of the curve. The biggest mistake in website design is websites that rely on fashion, they will quickly become obsolete.
5. Expired content
If you haven’t updated your website content for years, it probably isn’t up to date with your current business or the latest web standards. If the mojo content on your website is out of date, visitors may assume you’re out of business or that you’re not as innovative as your competitors.
If you manage a blog, be sure to update it regularly, because there is nothing worse than an empty blog without content.
6. Low quality photography
Low quality photography or outdated photography will make your website look like an amateur website and will have no effect on attracting the attention of visitors to the website.
Your images will only help you connect with your audience if they are aligned with your message and business. Therefore, you must use a professional photographer or use valuable and high-quality photos available on the Internet. Remember that the photo should be of low and optimal size. We suggest you to get more information in this field. Read our article on optimizing website images for search engines .
7. Having broken elements/links
Every element of your website must work. This means that you should regularly test and check all the links and pages on your website, so that users do not encounter the 404 error page. It is suggested that you for information on what is a 404 error read our article . read the
You should also check all your internal links, to make sure you are not driving your users to dead ends.
8. Poorly designed logo
Your logo is a central part of your brand. By designing your own logo or getting a cheaply designed logo, the biggest mistake in website design, you are not doing much to promote your brand or website. Although your logo is a small part of your design, it has a lot to do with your business.
9. Poor choice of font
Font selection is another subtle element that many business owners overlook. The font you choose should complement your design and increase the readability of your content.
In this situation, it is very useful to consult a professional designer. But if you prefer to choose the font yourself, a simple font is often a better choice.
10. No Call-To-Action
You should direct your visitors to where this is possible through Call-To-Action . A website without a contact form is nothing more than a virtual business card. Once you have introduced your website as a valuable and reliable website to the visitors, you should lead them to take action such as commenting, suggesting and criticizing. This action can be signing up for your email list, contacting your business, or many other options.
If your website is implemented with WordPress, you can use the Contact form 7 plugin to create a contact form, and to install and set it up, refer to the Contact form 7 plugin settings article .
Building a website based on the above tips can take a lot of work and time, but it’s time well spent. Because a basic and well-designed website will definitely help in the long-term growth of your business.
