Web Design Basics

Published by Andrew Noll at March 7, 2016

When you start a website, there are a lot of things to take into consideration. Initially, you have to decide if you should start a website, then you need to develop your ideas and come up with a content plan. Once you are all set to start a site, you will need to know the basics of web design to show your content in a professional, attractive manner that makes your visitors say WOW. At ISO Developers we know websites and we wrote this article to walk you through the basics of web design.
TextAlways make sure to pay attention to your fonts. Different fonts have different personalities. For Example, the following message is the same but you can tell an instinctual difference in interpretation based on the font used:
You already know you’re fabulous!
You already know you’re fabulous!
You already know you’re fabulous!

Make sure to make font choices that allow you to best express your personality and that align with your company goals. For instance, a professional may choose a conventional font for business, such as Trebuchet MS, Times New Roman or Verdana, rather than a more illogical choice such as Comic Sans. A graphic designer may want to choose a font that makes their site stand out and shows the depth of their typographical knowledge. As a general rule, many designers prefer to use fonts that are in the same font family. You can mix and match but be careful that it doesn’t make things look disheveled.
ColorsEach of us is impacted on an emotional level by color, whether we are aware of it or not. A site that utilizes a darker color scheme may appear more mysterious or sophisticated, while a site with a light color scheme may appear friendly, or not serious enough. Always utilize discretion when choosing your color scheme, as it impacts your brand image and how people interpret and interact with you.
SpaceHave you ever stared at a blank piece of paper? White space has a similar effect in creating a sense of focus and clarity for users.
Unless you are a professional web designer, it is usually better to opt for white space on your site. Some prefer to take the opposite approach of a dark background with white text, but in general white space will be the easiest to read and allows your user to read with a clearer state of mind.
That being said, it’s up to you what background color you choose, if not white space, what color will the space be? Does this color have a positive association for the average person? To check this quickly, you can ask a friend or co-worker for their opinion. If it creates issues of legibility, or doesn’t evoke the right emotional response, you may want to change it.
ImageryYou want people to feel engaged based on what they see on the screen. In terms of photography, images of people, animals, or children are all known to create an emotional appeal. Choose an emotion that goes well with the direction or intended outcome of your content. Create visuals that are engaging for your target demographic.
You can also create video or use graphic design programs such as Adobe Creative Suites to create your imagery. Videos generally have higher engagement and if you repost your content on social media, you can create a gif from your footage.
Make sure that whatever type of imagery you use is relevant. Higher quality will bring more views and greater engagement. Moving imagery will attract the eye more easily than a still image. Play to your strengths and create what will look the best on your site.
GoalsKnow what you are creating ahead of time and plan for your vision. Once you have established that you want a website and know the content you will be creating, you can make the best choices to present it effectively.
Always make sure to keep your end user in mind. What do they associate with your brand? What kind of experience do they want to have while on your site? Tailor everything to your audience and aim for minimal text, a nice color scheme that fits your brand, appropriate white space (odds are you need more), and effective imagery.
Glad we could teach you the basics! We’ll be releasing more about site creation soon.
Need a hand with graphic design? We can help.
Have other questions? Call or email us for a free consultation.
(888) 429-0503
info@isodevelopers.com