What Every Business Owner Should Know About Website and App Design
Let's say a new customer visits your website or app and, within minutes, drops off without doing any relevant actions. You might be puzzled as to why this happened as your brand has quite a good reputation and your products or services are well-liked. The simple answer is that your web or app design is what chased a potential customer away.
Many business owners are in denial of the fact that they can't grow further without having a well-designed website or app. But, studies show that 88% of online users tend not to revisit a website with a bad design.
In this blog, we will answer the most common questions you might have as a business owner regarding web and app design.
Why does my business need a good web/app design?
Investing in excellent web or app design offers numerous advantages for your business, such as:
Enhances user experience
A well-designed website or app ensures a smooth, intuitive experience for users, which brings down bounce rates and increases the likelihood of return visits.
Improves conversion rates
Studies show that a well-designed user-interface can see conversion rates of more than 200%. This itself is more than enough reason to make some design changes.
Better engagement from mobile users
With a steady increase in the number of mobile users, it is important to address this growing pool of customers. A responsive and mobile-friendly design enhances user satisfaction on smartphones and tablets, leading to more positive reviews and recommendations.
Competitive advantage
Investing in high-quality design not only sets you apart from competitors by attracting and retaining customers but also boosts financial performance and builds trust and credibility for your business.
What do I need to know before starting my web/app design journey?
Before you dive into the whole design process and start investing, it is important to have a clear understanding of a few things. It is not just about picking out pretty colours or adding features that look cool. It's about making sure your digital presence hits the mark with your audience and supports your business goals.
Finalise your brand identity
Having a clear idea about your brand identity is the first and most crucial step. You should have a clear idea of the logo, colours, fonts and brand voice before starting your web and app design. Also, consistent design across your website and app builds brand recognition and trust. Make sure your design elements are cohesive and truly represent who you are as a brand.
Decide if you want a website, app, or both
It is always good to do in-depth research to see if your niche or audience demands a website as well as an app. Though most brands just stick to websites, reports show that people are spending more time on apps rather than websites. Websites are ideal for reaching a broad audience and providing detailed information about your services. On the other hand, apps offer a more personalised experience and engage users through features like push notifications. Apps are particularly useful for frequent interactions and specific functions. Websites, however, are more accessible across different devices and don’t require installation, making them convenient for one-time visitors or broader reach.
Define the services and features you offer
Clearly outline the services you provide and the functionalities your website or app needs to support these services. Identifying these can help you streamline the design process and save a lot of time and resources. Make sure to include features that enhance user experience, such as booking systems, payment gateways, or interactive elements, depending on your business needs.
Know the activities you want users to perform
Determine what actions you want users to take on your platform, such as making purchases, signing up for newsletters, or contacting you. Design with these actions in mind to ensure a user-friendly experience and streamline the conversion process.
How to structure your website/app for easy navigation
Having a well-designed menu and navigational style is crucial to ensure that your users can find what they are looking for without frustration. Studies show that an average user spends around 6.44 seconds on the main navigation menu of a site. This indicates how important it is to have a proper menu that shows all the relevant information that a user needs.
Remember, sometimes less is more. Simplicity can take you a long way because users can get easily overwhelmed if presented with too many options. Additionally, simplicity in navigation also enhances mobile usability.
With the number of users accessing websites and apps on their mobile devices increasing, a clean and minimalistic menu ensures that your site remains user-friendly across different screen sizes. This approach not only improves the user experience but also aligns with modern web design trends that prioritise functionality and ease of use.
To create a user-friendly navigation structure, consider the following tips:
- Have a logical hierarchy
- Create labels that are descriptive
- Maintain consistency across pages
- Add a search functionality
AI Tools vs. Professional Designers: Which is Right for Your Business?
With AI tools becoming more popular and advanced, you might be wondering if they can do the job faster and cheaper. Here's a breakdown of both options:
- AI tools: They have a faster turnaround time, and some of them are very cheap. However, a major issue is that there are limited customisation options and a lack of personal touch, which can make your design look generic. Capturing your brand's essence and staying unique is important in today's competitive market, and many times, AI tools fail to deliver this.
- Professional Designers: Having a professional with years of experience can be a complete game changer when it comes to designing your app or website. Though you may be a bit reluctant due to longer turnaround time and higher cost, if you need a design that really represents your brand and resonates with your audience, then an experienced team of designers is your best choice.
Common mistakes that you should avoid
While designing your website or app, there are a few common mistakes that business owners can make, such as:
Overcomplicating your design
Though it may be tempting to add all the latest tools and functions to your platform, it is always better to choose what works best for your business and meets the demands of your audience. A cluttered design can make visitors reluctant to explore and stay longer, which can lead to higher bounce rates.
Forgetting about loading speed
If your site takes too much time to load, visitors are likely to bounce before they even get a chance to explore what you offer. It is best to aim for a loading time under 3 seconds, as data shows users expect websites to load within that timeframe to stay engaged.
Lacking a clear CTA
Every page on your website should have clear and compelling CTAs that prompt your users to take the next step. This can be making a purchase, contacting you for more information or signing up for your newsletter. Without strong CTAs, users may leave your site without taking any action, which can hurt your conversion rates.
Things to keep in mind when you are approaching a professional
If you've decided to hire a professional for your design needs, here are some tips to help you make the right choice:
Review their portfolio
Checking their portfolio is a good way to determine if their services are a good match for your brand and vision. It is always good to select a designer who has experience working for clients in the same industry.
Check the platforms of their clients
Nothing beats visiting websites or apps that they have designed for their clients to get a first-hand understanding of what they are capable of. It is a great way to know if they are able to deliver the services that they have advertised.
Make sure they communicate well
Effective communication is non-negotiable during the design process. It is crucial to make sure your vision and requirements are properly captured. Regular updates and a clear feedback loop help keep the project on track and allow for timely adjustments.
If you are ready to take the next step or just need guidance from a professional to design your website or app, then Planet Media can help you. With over a decade of expertise and catering to clients from all major industries, we can make your vision for the perfect website and app a reality.
Feel free to check our case studies page to understand our process, approach & achievements. We've also included links to our web design and app design pages if you're interested in our services or would like to discuss your project with us.
