Taking the step to creating our first web or blog is often complicated. Not because the process is difficult, quite the opposite, but by the doubts that are coming next: what theme should I use? WordPress? Which hosting? Doubts that once resolved show us the beginning of an easy and very gratifying process.
Starting is never a problem, and besides these 5 tips will resolve many doubts for sure, “the problem” (to call it that way) is that normally we tend to fall in love with the first election we make, missing something to redesign it. These tips must always be in your head as when redesigning, we start with what we already have, so this way we will have some knowledge about that before starting.
Like a while ago we talked about the redesign of logos and how they have to suit the different tendencies, it happen the same with the websites. They cannot be static, but must be modified and updated over time. We need to analyze what we have, what works and how it works in order to increase performance.
More than a year ago we talked about the material design and the flat design and how the material design was imposed (recently we discovered that this trend would also be in 2016.) It does not mean that we have to put aside our design and completely change it, but it has to go adapting to the trends.
Moreover, as when we talked about typefaces, we have to choose objectively, but above all, we must take into account the readability (depending on the place in which we use them,) in web design, we have to bear in mind the “user experience” or UX. The purpose of our website can be varied, but certainly what we all seek is that the user can navigate through it and fulfills the function: if it is a blog the user must easily access all articles; if it is a shop all the objects must be displayed…
The elements of the website must be in the appropriate place and play the role for which they were designed. Therefore, it is very good, from time to time, an analysis of it and the points where we can improve.
Thus, today we will see some common points on which we can improve our web UX and so do a redesign more adapted to new trends, but without losing its functionality! Let’s go!
1. Super mega Menus
We have already discovered it in trends of 2016. We are moving towards a burger menu in all devices. The first rule is that it cannot be massive and invasive.
There is no doubt that the menu has to be perfectly defined and found, but that does not mean that it should be the most important thing of the web. The menu can always be present in a simple way, so that when it is displayed, it does not hinder the rest of the web.
We tend to a thin bar menu, which appears always on top and with easy access to all sections of it. If instead we tend toward a burger menu, remember that this must be visible. It is very uncomfortable trying to visit a website without having clear where the menu is.
2. Social Icons
It is true that it is important that our social networks icons are present on our website, but they cannot be the most important thing. We mainly want the user to browse our website and then to likes us and be loyal. Although social networks can do it too, it should be clear that if our visitor only sees us from these, visits will never go to our blog or web.
It is more important to have a contact form visible, so that visitors can subscribe comfortably
Social networks have to appear, but not in an invasive way, they can be found in the header or footer and preferably with a design that mimics in our web.
3. Be careful with the flat buttons
As we were saying, if something improves material design is the hierarchy of the elements. The flat buttons, but with a perfectly well designed, can sometimes go unnoticed, but the material design provides that distinction between the background, that can be very effective in drawing the attention of our visitors.
Watch out! We are not talking about putting long shadows, we are not coming back to the past, but using the hierarchy of elements of the web and entering details in the design. And of course, I think there is no need to remember that the flash -no Flat- is from the past (more) that the Discman. And no, you are not hipster if you use it; you only get hurt your audience’s eyes! 🙂
4. Slider images and carousels
It is perhaps one of the main points of discussion between designers and one of the least clear of the UX. A few years / months ago, if you had no slider, your page made no sense. However, probably caused by the massive use of them, they have been forgotten for a while.
The controversy is large and personally, I think this is caused by the misuse / indiscriminate use. The sliders are not bad, but they have to be carefully designed; they cannot leave to chance its design. It is not the same to have to click on them than to change them alone or that the images last one second instead of 10 … And of course, not all websites should have slider.
The design of the slider has to be perfectly defined; otherwise the visitor will get bored or go crazy. If we use it well, it is a big point in our favor.
