We all want our websites to stand out amongst our competitors. Don’t Over do it.

The art of graphic design can make a website look professional, inspiring and aesthetically pleasing. These are important points to keep in mind when designing a website that represents your corporate identity. However, there is always the possibility that you can push the line of creativity a little too far.

We will take a look at this example from www.jamilin.com, a local Feng Shui decorator. Unfortunately, her website design is a learning experience on what not to do for your website. Sometimes, it’s a good idea to look at poorly designed websites to give yourself a better understanding on how to do it better.

WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH?

The whole point of a website is to sell your services and products. It should reflect your business image and convey the main message you want to project to your target audience. In regards to our example, we know that her service as a Feng Shui decorator directly clashes against the eclectic and messy image that is being portrayed on her website. Keeping it clear, organized, modern and easy to understand would empower her business image as a Feng Shui decorator and convince her target market to take action. Always ask yourself how will the overall feeling of your website directly reflect upon your business image.

SIMPLE LAYOUT

The Navigation of your website is an important thing to consider while designing. Don’t make the interface complicated to navigate, it should be clear and easy for people to find the information that they are looking for. As for our example, the website is a 3 column layout with a jumble of many menu bars, links, headlines, sublines, different and conflicting images. None of which conveys that peaceful Feng Shui attitude her target audience is looking for. Instead, keep it simple. A clear color scheme that stays respectful to your business brand, stay within the same typeface family, choose visuals that look professional and fits with your services and keep one main menu bar for your clients to know precisely where to click for more information.

USER READABILITY

Keep it simple! This advice should also be used when you’re considering the color of the text and images. You want to keep it simple with one main color to highlight a message or to show a link. If you want more emphasis on certain words, try bolding or underlining it. You do not want to distract people from your message by having every rainbow of the color on your webpage. In the end, this will make it much harder for your targeted audience to know your business message.

YOU DON’T NEED THE GLITZ & THE GLAM

The graphics displayed on your website are probably one of the most important components of the design layout that you need to seriously consider. It is the first thing that most people will be attracted too when first entering your site, it could make you or break you. You do not need overly flashy, eye catching, phenomenal images to impress your target. This acts as a distracting element and could tarnish your business image. Rather, research professional photography related to your business with istockphoto or getty images.

You can see an example of websites we created for a client of ours.