Designing a stunning website takes a lot of skill, and a lot of research. Especially if you want your website to really convert your users into paying customers. In fact, data and research is a key player when it comes to designing the layout of your website. That’s because, the layout, more than other features, can help guide users through the website, and shape their experience on your website. Here at Pumpkin Web Design Manchester, we are Manchester’s leading web design professionals. And we work across Manchester, and the North West, to deliver and develop web design, and web marketing, solutions that really work. So what is the importance of layout in web design? And which elements should you focus on when planning your layout? Well, check out our helpful guide.
The importance of layout in web design
Getting the layout right for your website, or a single web-page, is crucial to the overall performance of your website. This is because a good layout can provide a positive user experience, by:
- Helping users to easily identify what your website is about. Immediately discovering that they have landed on a relevant page for their search, will prevent users from bouncing, without reading your content.
- Layout can reveal what your business does, and the services you provide, simply by guiding the users eye towards key focal points.
- Highlighting the next step, so that users can intuitively move through your website. Whether you want users to buy your products, or sign up to your services, you need to take them through the process by using layout to guide them
- Making sure each element is in its own area of white-space, and the content of the page isn’t squashed or unnatural. On any device.
All of this means that if you neglect to research the traits of an effective layout, you can expect a higher bounce rate, and less conversions. Because users will not be guided through your website effectively.
Planning your layout
When it comes to planning your website layout, there are some key elements that you will need to pay special attention to. These can be split into the above the fold content, and the below the fold content. This is because, the content that you position above the fold should look very different to the content below the fold.
Above the fold layout
When designing your layout for the above the fold content, you should be thinking about:
- Visual content, such as professional imagery and video content- using a large “hero image” or video is a good way to attract attention to your webpage, and this is usually used as the background to your above the fold content. Alternatively, a large image can simply banner the above the fold content, or be used to counter balance the text. Either way the above the fold content should be visual.
- Headings – often the only text positioned above the fold, the heading is essential to tell users something about your company or website. This is often positioned in the centre of the screen, or towards the top.
- Sub headings – these can be used in a smaller font than the heading, and are usually positioned below the main heading, to add a little more detail
- Call to action- A call to action button above the fold is a great way to direct interested users nice and early in the browsing process
For more information or advice about page layouts, get in touch with the experts today, here at Pumpkin Web Design Manchester.