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7 Web Design Elements Every Website Should Have

June 12, 2017 By Hendrik-Jan Francke

7 Web Design Elements Every Website Should Have

If you want your site to look its very best, then you need to make sure it has these seven web design elements. Trust us, you'll be glad you read this blog post. Click here for more information!

If you want your site to look its very best, then you need to make sure it has these seven web design elements. Trust us, you'll be glad you read this blog post. Click here for more information!

So you want to build a website. Awesome!

But you don't want any website, you want one that stands out.

With millions of other websites, and several that offer the same thing you do, how do you make yours stand out? A lot of your success depends on the web design elements you choose to use.

Basic web design elements can make or break your site, depending on how you use them. You don't want to make a rookie mistake and send visitors away.

Whether you're redesigning an existing website or creating a new one, there are many things you should consider.

To help, we've created this guide to set you on the right path. Keep reading to learn seven design elements you should always include in your website if you want it to be successful.

A Good Headline

You only have seconds to grab a visitor's attention, so don't blow it right off the bat. You've got to have a great headline.

Your landing page should state what the site has to offer. Who are you? What is your website all about?

Keep your headline simple. You want people to understand your point as soon as possible. If there's a common thing people may come to your site for, point it out. Make it known why someone should stay on your site instead of looking elsewhere.

Think of what your target audience is looking for, then go from there. Tell them what you do, who you are, what you solve, and why they should care.

But do it in only a few words. Remember, you only have a few seconds!

Social Media Buttons

A website should always include social media buttons. This includes both share and follow buttons.

You may have the best content on the planet, but it won't matter if people don't see it. If you want people to see it, you've got to share it. And you want them to share it too.

Share buttons allow visitors to share your page on their social media profile. This will get your content out to people who haven't been to your website before.

Follow buttons allow social media users to follow you on their chosen social media platforms. If you don't have social media accounts for your website and/or company, get them! Otherwise, you'll likely miss out on a ton of traffic.

Call To Action Buttons

Your site should also include buttons that encourage action on your site itself. Now that you've got visitors to your site, tell them what to do.

Maybe they should "click here" to learn more, watch a video, or try a recipe. Ask visitors to download a guide you've created.

Whatever it is they should be doing, let them know what it is! Otherwise, your visitors may get lost and stumble away.

High-Quality Images

You need images on your site, but they shouldn't be any images. They need to be high quality.

Images are one of the first things people will notice when they arrive on your site, so you want to make a good impression. Images that are low quality or are from stock websites won't impress your visitors.

Show them the quality of your business. Let them see the actual people who work there. Images of your office, services, products, etc. are great too.

Whatever images you include, make sure they are sharp, clear, and never pixelated!

Navigation Elements

What makes a great website? One that's easy to navigate! If you want a successful site, your visitors must be able to find their way around.

Make it clear where things are. Each part of your site should be easy to find. They should also be inviting.

Have a clear navigation system that lets your visitors know about each part of your site and how to get there. Descriptions of what they'll find when they arrive can be helpful too.

Only a few minutes of research will help you learn more about why elements like clear navigation make such an impact on your website.

White Space

While your content is important, the space where you have no content is just as important. White space helps break up information and visuals and provides order to your site.

You need a good mix of content, images, and white space to make a great website. This helps with readability, organization, and flow.

If you don't have enough white space, your site will feel chaotic and jumbled. Definitely not inviting. Your visitors may end up feeling confused because they don't know where to look.

Too much white space isn't good either. This can leave your site looking cheap, or you may not have enough information for your visitors. A site that is mostly white space definitely isn't inviting, or interesting.

Eye-Catching Visuals

The quality of your images isn't the only visual element you need to think about. Every type of visual you have on your site needs to be eye-catching.

And you should have multiple kinds of visuals. This will keep things interesting, as well as break things up.

Implement videos and interactive charts instead of just images. And don't forget to optimize your site for mobile use!

Use big, bold fonts that will draw your visitors' eyes. But keep these simple, not overly fancy. They should always be easy to read.

Try using a "hero" image with each post you make. These images take up the full width of your visitors' screens and show them what's coming in the post.

The Best Web Design Elements

As you create your website, keep this one thing in mind: the best web design elements are the ones that make people stay.

If your site hard to navigate or unappealing, the people who visit your site won't be staying long. They're also going to leave if they can't tell what your site has to offer, or who is offering it.

Creating a great website shouldn't be difficult, as long as you know what to do. Keep these seven elements in mind and you'll be off to a great start.

We'd love to help with your web design or marketing needs. Get to know us by visiting our website today.

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