{"id":4780,"date":"2017-11-22T04:42:32","date_gmt":"2017-11-22T04:42:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/a1webdesignteam.com\/blog\/?p=4780"},"modified":"2017-11-22T04:42:32","modified_gmt":"2017-11-22T04:42:32","slug":"web-design-tips-to-help-you-achieve-success-in-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/a1webdesignteam.com\/blog\/web-design-tips-to-help-you-achieve-success-in-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"Web Design Tips to Help You Achieve Success in 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"

When it comes to creating websites, whether for yourself or for your clients, success doesn\u2019t come easy. To increase your productivity and keep your output looking fresh and modern, not to mention\u00a0optimized for search engines\u00a0and\u00a0conversion rates, it\u2019s essential that you\u2019re always learning as many new tips and techniques as possible.<\/p>\n

So, let\u2019s explore a few different web design tips that can help you out in 2016.<\/p>\n

1. Use Style Guides<\/h3>\n
\"Web<\/p>\n

Create your own or adopt an existing style guide \u2013 image by Google<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Style guides are popular in the publishing world. They can come in the form of large books or documents that media publications follow to maintain uniform styles throughout their content. This can include\u00a0everything from how states and countries are labeled to how numbers are written.<\/p>\n

Web designers can create their own style guides to ensure the sites they build have uniform styles throughout. This is especially useful for designers who collaborate with other freelancers. A well-written style guide can help keep a disparate team on the same page.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0style guide Google produced\u00a0for its own Material Design is a great example of a thorough, well-written style guide. If you\u2019re looking for a more generic style guide or set of rules to apply to your work, be sure to check out our guide to the\u00a0essential typography books for 2017.<\/p>\n

2. Phase Out Sidebars<\/h3>\n
\"Web<\/p>\n

Maybe it\u2019s time to reconsider the sidebar<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Sidebars create clutter. They were meant to improve the usability of a site by displaying additional navigational elements, such as links to recent posts and popular content.<\/p>\n

Over time, it\u2019s fair to say they\u2019ve been hijacked by savvy marketers looking for a way to\u00a0display email optin forms\u00a0and other promotional\u00a0content that doesn\u2019t always offer much to the user experience.<\/p>\n

While in theory sidebars containing links and other useful content should enhance the user experience, in reality,\u00a0very few site visitors actually use them, at least according to\u00a0heatmap tests conducted by ConversionXL. Therefore, compromising your site\u2019s design in favor of a sidebar for marketing purposes may not deliver the results you desire.<\/p>\n

Try phasing sidebars out in your designs, especially if a site doesn\u2019t really need one. Make your content the most important element on a page by using designs that force readers to focus on it.<\/p>\n

If the thought of abandoning sidebars altogether\u00a0sounds a bit extreme, look for a theme that\u00a0gives you the option of publishing full-width content, alongside more traditional layouts that feature an accompanying sidebar.<\/p>\n

You can\u00a0do a lot with the humble WordPress sidebar\u00a0and one web design tip for 2016 is to get smarter with the way you do or don\u2019t use them.<\/p>\n

3. Start Your Designs Offscreen<\/h3>\n
\"Web<\/p>\n

Try starting your designs outside of the code editor \u2013 image by MoonRock \/ shutterstock.com<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Do you create code and designs on the screen at a rapid rate, without a care of how things will turn out as you know you\u2019ll edit and clean things up later on? If so, why not try a new approach in 2016.<\/p>\n

Instead of jumping right in and figuring things out as you go, why not turn to the trusty pencil and paper or use a whiteboard to plan an overall site layout offscreen first. Use this approach to get an idea of where you want specific elements to go, much like how an architect uses floor plans to plot out where windows, doors, and rooms should go.<\/p>\n

If adopting a pen and paper doesn\u2019t appeal, there are plenty of\u00a0great wireframing and prototyping web design tools\u00a0out there that can help you quickly get your ideas out of your head, before you get started in your development environment.<\/p>\n

4. Use Larger Font Sizes<\/h3>\n
\"Web<\/p>\n

Experiment with large typefaces \u2013 image from mint.com<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Big typography isn\u2019t a new trend or aspect of design, but it\u2019s still a great practice to follow in 2016. This is because it has the power to grab the reader\u2019s attention and places the focus on your content.<\/p>\n

Readability on smaller screens, such as mobile devices, has played a huge role in this trend\u2019s rising popularity, but it also fits in nicely with the ever-popular minimalist and flat design trends.<\/p>\n

One web design tip for 2016\u00a0is to try incorporating larger font sizes in your designs, such as a minimum font size of 18 points for body text, where it makes sense. This includes any text you place in header images or even the text on a homepage when using a large, hero image. Just make sure you focus on\u00a0choosing a web-friendly typeface\u00a0that scales well, rather than agonizing about which size to choose.<\/p>\n

5. Create More Space<\/h3>\n
\"Web<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t fear the whitespace \u2013 image by grop \/ shutterstock.om<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Too much clutter can distract readers and make a site appear overly complicated. That\u2019s one reason why phasing out sidebars is recommended. However, you should also try creating more space in general rather than trying to include as many elements as you can on a page. Again, it helps a reader focus on what\u2019s important while giving you the opportunity to build better-looking designs.<\/p>\n

This space is typically referred to as \u201cwhitespace\u201d or \u201cnegative space,\u201d. However, this space doesn\u2019t always need to be white, especially if you\u2019re building a website that uses large images on its homepage and headers.<\/p>\n

Minimize the amount of clutter in your designs and include more space around and between elements to help guide your users through your site. Whitespace can make it clear where a reader\u2019s attention should be focused.<\/p>\n

6. Responsive Design isn\u2019t Optional<\/h3>\n
\"Web<\/p>\n

Are you ready for mobile first design? \u2013 image by MPFphotography \/ shutterstock.com<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Mobile device usage continues to grow, especially when it comes to accessing websites. This means that it\u2019s never been more important to\u00a0ensure your websites are mobile-friendly.<\/p>\n

So one key web design tip for 2016 is to fully commit to responsive design. In the past, this simply meant checking off the responsive design box on your to-do list. However, as this technology\u00a0matures, you need to start considering more than just fluid layouts. Think mobile optimized images, whether hamburger menus are the right choice, and\u00a0much more.<\/p>\n

For 2016, you might even want to embrace the concept of mobile-first web design.<\/p>\n

7. Take Advantage of Google\u2019s Material Design<\/h3>\n
\"Web<\/p>\n

Google\u2019s Material Design is here to stay \u2013 image by Google<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Google ramped up the use of the\u00a0Material Design\u00a0philosophy in 2014, and digital designers have been quick to follow suit.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve embraced the flat web design trend, then it\u2019s probably time for you to jump on the Material Design bandwagon\u00a0and update your style for 2016. The core concepts of this web design framework include\u00a0using layers to create elegant shadows alongside the edges of elements, helping to add some much-needed style and depth to the minimal flat design trend.<\/p>\n

If you want to get started, there are some great,\u00a0free Material Design UI kits\u00a0around that can help get you up to speed.<\/p>\n

8. Expand and Reevaluate Your Toolkit<\/h3>\n
\"Adobe<\/p>\n

Keep an eye out for new tools that can help you \u2013 image by Adobe.com<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Are there tasks in your workflow you feel could be more efficient or at least, more enjoyable? Then one web design tips that can help you out is to do a little research and find out if there are any new tools that better meet your needs.<\/p>\n

Just as new web design tips are emerging all the time, so too are new web design tools. From hot new free apps like\u00a0Pixate<\/a>, through to updates to industry favorites like the\u00a0Adobe CC apps for web designers, it\u2019s always worth keeping an eye out for something new that could help improve your workflow and enjoyment levels.<\/p>\n

9. Simplify Navigation<\/h3>\n
\"Web<\/p>\n

Unclutter your menus \u2013 image by Titov Nikolai \/ shutterstock.com<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Placing tons of links in your navigation menu, sidebar, blog posts, and even the homepage may seem like a great way to keep people on your site, but it can actually go the other way. Complicated navigation systems create way too many options for people, so much so that they may decide to leave your site altogether.<\/p>\n

Placing fewer items in your navigation menus and eliminating sidebars are great ways to cut down on the amount of clutter that exists on your site. This can allow you to build better-looking designs without compromising user experience or conversion rate optimization.<\/p>\n

10. Up Your Imagery Game<\/h3>\n
\"Web<\/p>\n

Take your imagery more seriously \u2013 image by Fouaddesigns \/ shutterstock.com<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Upgrading the quality of the images you use in your work is a great web design tip for elevating your projects.\u00a0Instead of simply\u00a0using the free images\u00a0that everyone else has access to, it might be time to invest in a premium stock image service.<\/p>\n

The next level up could be to create or commission your own images from scratch, whether that\u2019s going out and taking high-quality photographs, drawing them yourself, or a combination of the two.\u00a0Combining typography with your chosen images can be another effective way to make them more original and\u00a0assist you in delivering your message.<\/p>\n

Choosing beautiful imagery\u00a0for your website\u00a0is a proven way to assist you in achieving your goals\u00a0and help your\u00a0content stand out from the crowd.<\/p>\n

11. Phase Out Sliders<\/h3>\n
\"Web<\/p>\n

Are your sliders really adding anything to the user experience?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The decision between whether or not to use sliders is a highly-debated topic.<\/p>\n

However, in most cases, they should really be phased out in 2016, especially if you want to decrease the amount of distractions on your site and make it easier for users to find their way around. Sliders don\u2019t do either of those things. They\u2019re very similar to sidebars. They create way too many options for your visitors to choose from, and very few people actually use them.<\/p>\n

If it\u2019s your homepage you\u2019re concerned about, opt for a large header space that uses a unique, well-crafted static design that clearly defines your brand of that of your client. Again, play around with big typography to make static images more visually appealing and come up with better page designs that make sliders redundant.<\/p>\n

12. Learn A\/B Testing<\/h3>\n
\"Web<\/p>\n

Validate your ideas with split testing \u2013 image by Iconic Bestiary \/ shutterstock.com<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

A lot of these web design tips are general advice based on current and upcoming trends in the digital space. However, there\u2019s no guarantee they\u2019ll work for your site.<\/p>\n

You also shouldn\u2019t necessarily feel obligated to use or forego certain design elements simply because it\u2019s a current trend or now an unpopular style. A\/B testing is a skill you can learn to find out whether or not your designs are working or not.<\/p>\n

Maybe you or your client want to use a slider or a busy sidebar and don\u2019t want to give in to the conventional wisdom\u00a0that states they\u2019re outdated and ineffective. A\/B testing is a great way to implement a new design and test its effectiveness yourself. Split testing is also an effective way to negotiate compromises between you and your clients, thanks to the evidence that can help back up your recommendations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When it comes to creating websites, whether for yourself or for your clients, success doesn\u2019t come easy. To increase your productivity and keep your output looking fresh and modern, not to mention\u00a0optimized for search engines\u00a0and\u00a0conversion rates, it\u2019s essential that you\u2019re always learning as many new tips and techniques as possible. So, let\u2019s explore a few […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4782,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0},"categories":[7],"tags":[51],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/a1webdesignteam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4780"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/a1webdesignteam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/a1webdesignteam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/a1webdesignteam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/a1webdesignteam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4780"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/a1webdesignteam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4780\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/a1webdesignteam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4782"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/a1webdesignteam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4780"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/a1webdesignteam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4780"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/a1webdesignteam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4780"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}