What Is Web Design?
Web design is the process of creating a website that appeals to your customers. It involves many aspects of visual design including color, typography and layout. It also encompasses a website’s overall functionality and user experience. A skilled professional can translate a business’s identity into a digital interface that will be a joy to use.
A website is the cornerstone of any online presence and is the most effective way to reach potential customers. Web designers use a combination of programs and techniques to create a site that is visually appealing, easy to navigate and optimized for search engines.
To make a website work, it must adhere to the rules of Hypertext Markup Language (HTML). This code determines what information is displayed on each page and how it is arranged. Websites are then compiled by Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) which determines the overall appearance of each page. Most websites are created by using a combination of these tools and are typically edited and updated via content management systems such as Adobe Dreamweaver.
Web designers must understand how to use spacing effectively to create pages that are both attractive and easy to read. Spacing helps visitors to quickly identify and distinguish elements such as text, photos and graphics. Spacing is also a critical component of visual hierarchy, which determines how a visitor’s eye moves through your website and what they see first.
Websites must be designed to work across a variety of devices. To meet this demand, web designers are often trained in responsive and adaptive design. Responsive design uses viewport breakpoints to determine when different elements should be displayed. Adaptive design is similar but uses a fluid grid to tailor content to fit a wide range of screen sizes.
The last thing you want is for your website to be difficult to find. To ensure that your site can be easily discovered, it is recommended that you include a navigation bar and footer on every page. These are great places to repeat key pieces of information that appear throughout your site, such as contact details, a map or email sign up bars. A good website will also be optimized for speed, meaning that your pages will load quickly once a visitor clicks on them.
Web design is a continuous process, with the need to update and improve sites regularly being an ongoing requirement. Without a timely redesign, your audience will lose interest and may seek out competitors that give them a better user experience. It’s important to check in on your site at least once a month to ensure that it is up-to-date, functioning properly and performing well in search. A poorly functioning, out-of-date site will quickly discourage visitors and negatively impact your sales.