The World of Website Design Simplified
Building and designing a new website for your new or existing business is a very exciting concept, but it can seem like a daunting one too. With a huge choice of website types available, you may be feeling overwhelmed with where to start, and which one is right for your business. Our straightforward blog will give you some peace of mind, inspiration, and the knowledge to take that next step when wishing to contact a Web Designer to discuss how you wish for your dream website to look and function.
The Five Most Popular Types of Websites
With the ever-evolving World Wide Web, choosing the type of website that’s right for your business can seem like a scary prospect. We can help make that decision a much simpler one by easily explaining these most sought-after types of websites.
1. E-commerce
This type of website is an online shop meaning people can order and pay for goods and services whilst at home. Online shops are a great way of limiting costly overheads such as those associated with having a physical shop.
2. Blogs and Personal
This is a popular type of website for families and anyone who is wishing to document a meaningful occasion in their life, such as, showing their family growing up or showcasing their travels as good examples. With technology changing constantly, where this would have once been documented on a personal website has now been overtaken by way of a blog. These days, blogging has become the modern alternative and is an extremely popular choice. Blogs are usually updated regularly, and older posts can be viewed through archives.
3. Information Websites
Information websites are very helpful as they can cover such a vast range of subjects. Before the power of the Internet, people would have to visit a library and take a book out for basic information. There is a wealth of information now available at our fingertips with the power of search engines to find out the answers to our questions.
4. Online Community
Networking and sharing knowledge with others who possess similar interests or experiences is a popular and useful choice. This does not have to be the main part of the website and can just be an element of it in order to enable visitors to the website to discuss what the site is about.
5. Photo Sharing
This type of website allows people to upload and download photos at no cost. You can get paid with advertising on a photo-sharing website. Alternatively, you can sell good quality high-resolution images users will want to buy. This is a popular choice for those wishing to use them for commercial purposes.
What are Website Graphics?
Website graphics cover a wide range of exciting features to enable your website to be unique, eye-catching and informative to its users.
Some examples of website graphics include images showing particular products a shop sells on their website. Website graphics can also cover illustrations, diagrams and graphs as some examples, to explain data and information in a way that is easier to digest.
Other examples of website graphics include company logos, image banners, font sizes, colours and styles. Your website should be unique to your business, reflecting what it does in a way that is also relevant to your followers.
We use WordPress to build and design our clients’ websites. It is a free, open source and currently the most powerful website builder. It allows you to buy additional website themes which include a wide array of graphics to transform your website into a total user experience.
What is a Website Structure?
A website structure (website architecture) ensures that your website is created in a way that allows a user to navigate through it seamlessly. The internal linking of a website enables users to find relevant information efficiently meaning they are more likely to stay on the website for longer and just as importantly, return.
A good website structure also ensures that your website’s search rankings are higher too (Search Engine Optimisation or SEO for short). This means in basic terms, if someone was to search for a Hairdresser in Leicester on a search engine with a website page that was effectively ranked higher, it will be listed as more of a priority on a search engine.
What is Website Functionality?
Write down all of the key features you require for your website in order for it to achieve what you need it to. A very important function for your website is for it to be mobile device friendly as due to modern technology, users often browse websites when on the go.
Other areas of functionality for your website that are key are ensuring it targets your required audience. Think about what they need the website to do and also what users expect from it. Take what you already understand about your audience and plan what it means for your website functionality. For example, if your business audience is for all ages, ensure that your website is easy to use and does not have complicated functions making it tricky to use.
Your website budget plays a huge part in your website functionality. Keep your website cost in line with the available finances of your business. Avoid cutting corners as correcting problems will cost more in the long run. If required, you could stagger your website launch into two phases. For example, you could prioritise the minimum functionality requirements and then add on the less important elements in an additional step.
Be realistic and allow time for acing the final steps of the website, so that when it is launched it works seamlessly. There is no second attempt at a website launch. You want it to be slick and professional to reflect your business’ reputation.
Also have a think about your website content. Imagine you are a first-time user on your website, which you don’t know anything about. You want clear, impactful and explanatory information explaining who you are, what you do, etc. Make it personal and creative to your business. Include professional looking photos. You could write regular blogs to keep users engaged with updates about the business, new products as good examples. Regular blogs will also help your website rank higher on search engines enabling it to realise more of its full potential.