While visual design elements and first impressions matter in web design, the subsequent User Experience (UX) will make or break the platform. In the age of an endless number of websites, eCommerce stores and blogs, differentiating your next project by its design quality is quite challenging.
According to recent reports, 38% of people will stop interacting with a website if its content or layout is unappealing. In addition, 82% of users feel positive about a company if they find meaningful custom content upon arriving at the landing page.
This showcases a trend that requires web design to be centred on facilitating quality content and not visual design for the sake of visuals. Having said that, how can you make your next web design project more content-friendly to convert new leads for your client?
Advantages of Content-First Website Design
It’s important to understand the value behind content-centric web design before we tackle the methodology behind the question. Web design is inherently centred on the end-user, wherever that user may be. As such, web design should aim to be as clear, intuitive, and user-friendly as possible to facilitate interactivity.
Thus, content, as the primary reason for the website’s existence, should be made available to the potential visitor in as few clicks as possible. Presenting the visitors with quality content by placing it before web design in your creative solution will have positive effects on the final product’s appeal:
- Increased traffic and conversion rates
- Higher content engagement and brand advocacy
- Better competitive positioning in the client’s industry
Coordinate with your Client
Discussing goals with your client is the most effective way to get your website design project underway. Mainly, what content and services will they focus on in the future? This discussion will allow you to pinpoint the direction of your project more efficiently than by simply relying on web design trends.
Additionally, you might want to get information on your client’s content marketing plans to determine how prominent it should be on the landing page. While some businesses reserve the landing page for sales offers, others like to open the visitors’ interaction by introducing blog posts and case studies. Get a pulse for your client’s needs before any website design work is done, and the final product will be that much better for it.
Responsive Design Matters
One of the primary ways you can enable a variety of users to enjoy your client’s content online is through responsive web design. Responsive design ensures that different displays (and browsers) can access the website in its original form.
This is an important addition to modern design solutions since many users rely on mobile phones, tablets, and other smart devices. By introducing responsive scaling, the content on your client’s website will be viewable by a much larger demographic. Furthermore, it will improve the site’s overall SEO due to its higher accessibility factor, making it a win-win for everyone.
Choose the Right Theme
While WordPress may be a popular and flexible CMS to use as a baseline for your web design project, the right theme is always welcome. While some themes emphasize visuals and carousel elements, others place written content and internal links front and centre for the visitors’ convenience.
Choose a WordPress theme that reflects not only your client’s business portfolio and philosophy but also will make content easier to access. Combined with original and creative written content, your web design project will shine with new-found life thanks to a professional WordPress theme added to it.
Streamlined Typography
We’ve discussed multi-platform accessibility before, but it’s worth driving the point home regarding accessibility. Smart devices and computers with smaller displays will unavoidably experience problems with certain typographic solutions.
When choosing your fonts through platforms such as Google Fonts, it’s important to consider that fact. Certain lettering combinations may not be ideal for increased accessibility if you add localization, especially with potential multilingual UI. When choosing your typography, it’s good to rely on the best research paper writing sites and platforms, such as Readable.
Content-First Design (Conclusion)
It’s easy to conclude that website design should be centred on UX first and foremost to accommodate as many different user demographics as possible. Approach each design project with the mindset of a problem-solver and look for ways in which you can help users reach relevant content smoothly. Aim for design solutions and WordPress themes emphasising content over flashy visuals, and your client’s user base will be thankful for it.