| Outstanding web design is a marriage of art and | | | | only way to convert those valuable first-time visitors |
| science. It occurs when behind-the-scenes technical | | | | into long-term repeat customers is to immediately |
| programming is infused with aesthetic appeal. The | | | | grab their attention and compel them to spend more |
| end result is a visually engaging and profitable | | | | time browsing the site. This is very difficult to |
| marketing tool that appeals to both human visitors | | | | accomplish if the visual impact of the design is either |
| and search engine spiders. While this convergence of | | | | non-descript or unappealing. |
| technological and creative skill can manifest itself in | | | | 3. Ease of Navigation. Yet another important |
| many ways, there are a number of specific factors | | | | component of successful web design is how easy |
| that go into making any web design project a | | | | the site is to navigate for both human visitors and |
| success. | | | | search engine spiders. In fact, this is a great example |
| Here are 4 Key Ingredients of Outstanding Web | | | | of how the invisible programming behind the site is |
| Design: | | | | critical to its overall success. A well-designed site will |
| | | | be structured in a way that is intuitive to all visitors, |
| 1. Consistency. The first ingredient of quality web | | | | regardless of their online experience level or |
| design involves how well each individual aspect of the | | | | educational background. First-time visitors to the site |
| site relates to the rest. In other words, the overall | | | | should be able to find exactly what they are looking |
| look, feel and functionality of the site should be | | | | for quickly and easily. A clearly labeled navigation bar |
| uniform. One way to achieve this is by using the | | | | and thoughtful organization of the information |
| same fonts and color scheme on each page. Return | | | | contained on the site are both important ways of |
| visitors to the site should be able to immediately | | | | accomplishing this. |
| recognize they are in the right place, regardless of | | | | 4. Quality Content. Most web surfers come online to |
| what page they find. A site that uses a bunch of | | | | find information. Providing high-quality original content |
| different fonts or random color schemes is confusing | | | | is one of the best ways to accomplish this. In fact, |
| and distracting - and can prompt visitors to quickly hit | | | | content that has been optimized with targeted |
| the back button. | | | | keywords is one of the best ways to draw organic |
| 2. Visual appeal. How the site looks is another | | | | (or non-paid) search engine traffic to a web site. |
| important feature of good web design. A | | | | Great web design incorporates this piece of the |
| well-designed web site is both welcoming and | | | | puzzle seamlessly into the functionality and aesthetic |
| engaging from a visual perspective. Appealing images, | | | | appeal of the site. |
| graphics and complementary color schemes are all | | | | Although this list is by no means comprehensive, |
| ways to appeal to visitors in those crucial first | | | | these factors all play an important role in effective |
| seconds on the site. From a business perspective, the | | | | web design. |