In the simplest of definitions, the term ‘web design’ means the planning and then creation of a website. This is a process of developing a concept, determining aesthetics, and utilizing interactive features all with the goal of showcasing pages to those users who visit your site. The site elements of content, structure, user interface, colors, icons, font, and photography, work together to form your website. This design is not simply visual however, as web design also includes how user-friendly your site may be, or what user habits on the pages are.
One of the best ways to comprehend web design – that is, what makes a web design work or what makes a web design great – is to ask the people who know it best. We’ve pulled together a host of quotes and informative thoughts from leaders in the web design world which, in unison, work to give an understanding about designing a web site.
“A company’s website design is its public face and identity; in many ways, it shapes the customer’s first impression all the way through their decision to purchase or obtain a service. If their design is poorly done or the calls-to-action disjointed, the customer will immediately get a bad taste in their mouth and potentially go elsewhere. As they say in life ‘you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.’ On the other hand, if the web design is Responsive, professional, and cleans the customer will have a great experience and be far more easily convinced by what is being offered/sold/promoted. In my 12 years’ experience, I’ve continually been amazed how something as simple as a website redesign can drastically influence the sales and success of a company or non-profit–even when their product or service doesn’t change at all.” – Sean Dempsey, Principal, Loud Canvas Media
“Websites promote you 24/7. No employee will do that.” – Paul Cookson
“If there’s one thing you learn by working on a lot of different Web sites, it’s that almost any design idea–no matter how appallingly bad–can be made usable in the right circumstances, with enough effort.” – Steve Krug, Author, Don’t Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability
“The web isn’t about control. If a visitor to your site is familiar with using a browser’s native form doodad, you won’t be doing them any favors if you override the browser functionality with your own widget, even if you think your widget looks better.” – Jeremy Keith
“The user experience design of a product essentially lies between the intentions of the product and the characteristics of your user.” – David Kadavy, Author, Design for Hackers: Reverse Engineering Beauty
“It’s very important to know who your target audience is. The more you are able to narrow it down, the better we are able to build a website that provides them what they need…It’s vital that you design an experience for your users that fits their desires. If you fulfill their desires, then they’ll become more prone to turn into a customer. And that’s the objective.” – James Nogas
