Website Design Archives - Page 2 of 8

April 13, 2023 by David Henderson

At the heart of a successful website is one that is designed with the user in mind. Websites that rank high in ease of use of having simple navigation may get more traffic and better results in the search engines. A user-friendly website starts with intelligent design choices. You need the help of an experienced SEO and website design firm, Unwired Web Solutions, to make your site more effective.

Learn About Your User’s Behaviour and Habits

First, businesses need to understand their user’s behaviour and habits while searching the web. Companies can work with their marketing team to develop a baseline demographic of their ideal customer. You can learn about your potential customers with marketing research into their habits and lifestyle.

Once you find out what is important to your customers, you should focus on that information and make it easy to find on your site. You should also have your web design team plan out the overall purpose of your site and ensure the flow of information is logical and makes sense to your users. Users that get frustrated with a website may leave and never return.

Create a Clear Structure for Your Site

Next, work with your web design pros to create a clear structure for your site. Web design trends have changed in the last few years, making it essential to revise your site’s structure if it’s older and tired. Use feedback forms and surveys to get information about how you can change the layout of your site to better serve your users.

Whatever structure you choose to go with, be sure that your site is functional in all types of internet browsers. Popular browsers like Chrome and Firefox may be fine, but users may have different browser preferences that are different, such as Opera, Safari or Edge.

Use Intuitive Navigation Menus

Your site’s navigation also needs to be updated to be more intuitive and user-friendly. Most successful sites start with a landing page that presents important information to users and instructs them with a specific call to action. Ideally, your landing pages will be able to convert users into customers and bring in more revenue.

Your web design team should be experts in advanced programming languages, such as DHTML, JavaScript, Motools and Ajax so they can build navigation menus that function smoothly. If you have a lot of information on your site, your team should be adding drop-down menus or other navigation tools to simplify the organization.

Optimize for Mobile Devices

Many users today browse the web on mobile devices, such as phones or tablets. The look and structure of your site may function differently when it’s not being displayed on a computer.

Your site needs to also be optimized for mobile devices with a different layout and structure that fits a smaller screen. Web design for mobile devices looks different from desktop designs and needs unique features, such as a condensed navigation bar, larger fonts and optimized images.

Improve Load Times

Modern internet users are also very impatient, so your site’s load time is critical in keeping them engaged with your content. Most web design experts recommend clearing sites of annoying add-ons that increase load time, such as videos, pop-ups and complicated widgets.

The average site has about four seconds of leeway for load time, so anything you add to your design needs to have a fast turnaround time in order to be effective for your audience. Our team works with our clients to test site load time and improve speed so you don’t turn off potential customers.

Make a User-Friendly Website

If you aren’t sure how to make a user-friendly website, that’s where we come in. Unwired Web Solutions understands the latest trends in web design and can apply them to usability. Our team of designers, programmers and testers can revamp your site so it not only looks great, but it generates leads and results. We combine this with our content marketing strategies to give you a comprehensive team approach to web design.

Contact the team at Unwired Web Solutions today for more information about our web design process. We approach design by first learning about your company’s goals for your site and then working with your existing structure to design something more effective.

February 6, 2023 by David Henderson

As a business owner, you know it is essential to remain relevant in the digital age. Most companies understand that static web pages are a thing of the past. Modern consumers demand more, and web design trends 2023 only prove it.

Emerging Trends in 2023

Web graphics, user experiences, and accessibility all evolve, creating quicker and more compelling web pages. The future of web design is one of functionality and beauty. It is a streamlined transactional process, but it is not only about the transfer of money; it is about the exchange of information.

Website optimization is an omnichannel effort, especially in 2023. Consumers seek information and access across various platforms and devices. A business’s ability to navigate these channels and market to consumers without boundaries plays a pivotal role in profitability and longevity.

Adapting to new trends is about reviewing website functionality, engagement, aesthetics, and customization, and asking what you can do differently. It’s OK if you don’t know how to answer the question; many small business owners aren’t sure how to improve their digital image, which is why they trust services like Unwired Web Solutions.

UWS understands the latest trends, and its team of designers can help your business establish an audience and adapt to the changing environment. All of the current evolving trends exist within six core design concepts.

1. Website Optimization

Website optimization is the use of various tools and techniques to improve website performance. The analytics important to optimization include:

Web traffic
Load times
Conversion rates
Usability

Many things contribute to each analytic element, including keywords, images, videos, content, color schemes, etc. The new year will see advancements in analytical tools, making it easier to create high-ranking pages and sites.

2. User Experience

The user experience refers to all elements that improve user comfort and accessibility. Some examples of UX trends include streamlined mobile experiences. The current trend prediction for 2023 includes parallax scrolling, thumb-friendly navigation, data visualization, and gamification.

Gamification is a continuing trend, but it’s expected to grow. You have likely experienced gamification in other web page designs; it is the use of points and badges to motivate consumers toward a specific action or objective.

3. Interactive Visuals

Web design trends often aim to improve consumer engagement. The elements can include surveys, polls, games, or calculators. The primary objective of interactive pieces is to keep people on the page as long as possible. The longer a consumer stays on a website, the more likely they are to complete a desired task, like buying a product or signing up for an email list.

4. Omnichannel Navigation

Omnichannel navigation is a term that refers to meeting consumers where they are. Customers can access the internet on many devices, including tablets, cell phones, and laptops. A business needs to cater to whichever device a consumer prefers. Also, companies need to focus on the platforms their target audience prefers. For example, a millennial consumer will likely prefer messaging through standard web pages and social media channels.

5. Designs and Color Palettes

Some web designs are loud and busy. The colors of the pages are distracting. In 2023, design trends are expected to skew minimalist. You can still focus on color and bold designs, but keep things clean and simple.

6. Personalization

Finally, a continuing trend for consumers is personalization. Web users want to customize their experience. Permitting individual changes can encourage brand loyalty.

Staying Relevant With Unwired Web Solutions

The key to modern website design is working with a web design and marketing firm that understands current changes. If you are ready to make the most of your website, contact Unwired Web Solutions and ask how its team can help.

December 9, 2022 by David Henderson

Most businesses focus on making their website mobile-friendly but not mobile-responsive. While it might seem like a subtle semantic difference, a responsive website makes a website more user-friendly and accessible, according to custom web development specialists.

Defining Mobile Responsive Websites

A mobile-friendly website only adjusts the page size on a smart device or tablet; it does not alter the layout. A mobile-responsive website changes the layout and may add buttons or tabs depending on the device. For example, a company can include a call button for a smartphone or mobile layout, allowing consumers to touch to dial.

Unlike traditional methods for creating mobile sites, a business no longer needs to maintain a different website for each device. A responsive website is a single system, meaning a company only needs one URL. The system allows for a flexible layout, allowing sites to change according to the screen size and device used.

More users than ever are using smartphones to access digital content. If a company fails to use mobile responsive designs, consumers will often abandon the web page. Also, if a website takes over three seconds to load, consumers will move on to the next search result.

Understanding the Benefits of a Mobile Responsive Design

A mobile-responsive web design is vital to marketplace success. Consumers want easy-to-navigate pages, regardless of the device they use. They also want companies to accommodate their shopping and viewing needs depending on their device. If your business has yet to update its website to a mobile-responsive design, consider the benefits of the upgrade.

Improved User Experience

The design provides a better user experience across multiple devices. The responsive approach ensures specific devices have appropriate features to make the experience more approachable. For example, smartphone users can scroll up and down to read or explore the website; they do not need to scroll horizontally or zoom in on text.

Increased Efficiency

With only one URL, companies can save money. Before RWDs, it was common for a business to have multiple URLs for different device sizes, meaning it had to pay for the hosting of multiple sites. Also, the company had to pay in-house or contracted designers to create each variation.

Also, a responsive design makes it easier to update your website. You or your team can make quick design edits once rather than several times across multiple sites.

Better Reach

Because the website automatically adjusts to the user’s device, it is more accessible. Satisfied phone and tablet users will convert more often. With over 57% of internet users accessing sites from multiple devices, a company is bound to expand its reach with responsive design.

Higher Search Rankings

Google announced mobile-friendliness as a ranking factor all the way back in 2015. It only makes sense that improved mobile responsiveness will increase your website rankings. Also, higher rankings typically equate to higher conversions and more profit.

Hiring a Web Development Company To Handle Responsive Design

People assume that a custom web development service is expensive. While specialized services do cost money, you always need to put the costs in perspective.

If you do not hire a web development company to design your new responsive website, you will need to hire an in-house team to do it. To hire a team, you will need to recruit talent, invest in training, pay benefits, etc. Your expenses skyrocket. While a large corporation might be able to eat the costs of an in-house team, most small and medium-sized businesses cannot.

Hiring an outside service is usually more affordable. If you want to learn more about responsive web design or digital marketing, contact Unwired Web Solutions, a reputable full-service digital marketing agency in Canada.

November 23, 2022 by David Henderson

Website design and development services aren’t a one-time deal — after a while, pages become outdated and their search engine optimization not as effective. Fortunately, web design experts can help you stay current with refreshed layouts, upgraded code and high-quality content. If you see a dip in website traffic, professionals can reverse that trend with the following solutions.

Identify Outdated Site Content

Search engines update their algorithms frequently, and most of the time, the changes go under the radar unless you know what to look for. As a result, your webpages may start performing poorly without any changes on your end.

Website development experts track algorithm updates to align sites with new criteria. One of the first steps is reviewing your landing pages and blog posts to identify outdated pages. A good way to do so is by checking the analytics for each page; you should refresh pages with low visitations or click-through rates.

A refresh keeps the page’s information but introduces more effective keywords and SEO techniques. For example, if a blog post includes awkwardly used key phrases, a refresh integrates the new keywords more naturally. It’s also essential to keep refreshed content as evergreen as possible to remain relevant year-round.

Improve User Experience

When visitors arrive on your website, they shouldn’t have to think about navigation. Instead, it should be intuitive, allowing them to smoothly research and purchase their desired products or services. Website design can hinder or help the user experience through layout, font choices and even loading times.

One excellent way to ensure intuitive navigation is clear labelling. For example, your banner should explain its links in concise, straightforward language. Don’t use wordplay here, as it may confuse and frustrate visitors, causing them to bounce to another company’s website.

Additionally, you should prioritize functionality. All links should lead to a live page; broken links can make your business look unprofessional or even shady, so fix or remove them. Your pages shouldn’t take more than four seconds to load, as customers won’t wait around longer than that.

Create Consistent Messaging

Every aspect of your website should align with your brand:

Landing pages
Blogs
Meta descriptions
Meta tags

Depending on the scope of your website, this can be a big task. Fortunately, a professional web developer can ensure your content, design and metadata reinforce your company’s voice and values.

Additionally, expert assistance during a rebrand makes for a smooth transition, which means minimal interruption to your operations. As a result, you can hit the ground running, using that momentum to boost your metrics.

Hire Website Design and Development Services

While it’s possible to handle web development on your own, hiring custom website design services offers a wide range of benefits. For example, having a team analyze and update your content means you have more time for daily operations. You also get the advantage of experience and long-term trend tracking, ensuring your updates are on the cutting edge.

Of course, some business owners worry that outsourcing website development means cookie-cutter solutions, but that isn’t the case. In fact, working with professionals ensures you get a website tailored to your needs. The do-it-yourself approach can only take you so far if you don’t have a web design background, while a team works closely with your company to customize every detail of your site.

Unwired Web Solutions is the place to call if you’re looking for the best website design services. We can help you build a site from the ground up or refresh pages that aren’t performing well. We also offer other marketing services to boost website traffic, including content and social media marketing. For more information or to schedule a consultation, visit us online or give us a call today.

November 17, 2022 by David Henderson

6 Common Web Design Mistakes That Hurt SEO

Most businesses understand that a website is crucial for success in the modern marketplace. Unfortunately, many companies work with inexperienced website design services or attempt DIY solutions to save money, resulting in poor-performing sites. Without at least a foundational knowledge of SEO best practices, businesses are bound to make little mistakes that can hurt their performance in search engine rankings.

Website Mistakes That Hurt SEO

An effective website is about more than looking attractive; it must have substance. Also, the design and engineering of the site must allow for meaningful consumer interactions and engagement. SEO is about optimizing your site not only for search engines but also for the viewer, regardless of the device they use. When creating your website, try to avoid the following six SEO mistakes.

1. Poor Speed

A slow website speed is detrimental to a business. According to Google, slow speed affects a company’s ranking in search results because it compromises reputation and credibility. Over 45% of visitors to a page will not wait longer than three seconds for a page to load.

While there are many things you can do to improve webpage speed, the most significant contributor can include the hosting service you use. You want to invest in the best hosting experience to ensure your customers get rapid access to sites.

2. Poor Navigation

Consumers want to find what they are looking for quickly and easily. If your website does not provide clear navigation tabs, buttons, or features, your customers will become frustrated or bored and leave the site.

Many business owners lack the knowledge to implement effective navigation strategy and design. If you feel navigation and web design are outside your area of expertise, hire a full-service digital marketing and web design agency.

3. Non-Mobile Friendly Site

Mobile devices are the primary tool people use to access the web. If your site is not mobile-friendly, or better still, mobile-responsive, it will not perform well. Google will not even display non-mobile-friendly sites to mobile users.

Having a mobile-friendly site used to mean having a separate URL for the different devices. Today, you can build a responsive site with a flexible design. Responsive sites automatically adjust the page layout to fit a consumer’s screen size.

4. Low-Quality Content

Search engine algorithms are sophisticated. They can tell a web page’s quality by analyzing the text and links. If search engines like Google determine your content is spammy or low-quality, they will penalize you and remove your content from the results.

Consumers are also judges of content. When you spend time writing content, you want visitors to spend time reading it. A consumer will not waste time on irrelevant content.

When focusing on a content strategy, consider quality, uniqueness, and relevance. A digital marketing agency can help you design your SEO and content strategies.

5. Pop-ups

Over 90% of consumers hate pop-up ads, so much so that they will close out a page. Businesses perform better with pop-up-free designs. Consult a reputable digital marketing and web design service to learn more.

6. Missing CTA

A call to action tells a consumer what you want them to do, whether buying a product or subscribing to a newsletter. Too many companies invest in beautiful web design only to leave out the CTA. By ignoring the CTA, you effectively sabotage your conversion rates.

Improving Web Design With Professional Services

Most business owners do not understand web design or SEO strategies, which is fine. However, it is a mistake to ignore these essential tools. Instead of trying to master an entire field, you can hire an experienced web design and digital marketing firm. Contact Unwired Web Solutions to learn more.