What Is Website Design?
Web design Is the process of planning, conceptualizing, and arranging content online. Today, designing a website goes beyond aesthetics to include the website’s overall functionality. Web design also includes web apps, mobile apps, and user interface design.
How Does Web Design Work?
In simple terms, a website designer makes a site look good. They use design programs to create visual elements. Website designers usually have expertise in UI, or user interface, which means they strategically design a site that’s intuitive and easy for visitors to navigate.
Types Of Website Design:
- Adaptive
- Responsive
Understanding the pros and cons of adaptive and responsive websites will help you determine which website builder will work best for your website design needs.
You might come across articles online that talk about a whole bunch of different website design styles (fixed, static, fluid, etc.). However, in today’s mobile-centric world, there are only two website styles to use to properly design a website: adaptive and responsive.
Adaptive websites
Adaptive web design uses two or more versions of a website that are customized for specific screen sizes. Adaptive websites can be split into two main categories based upon how the site detects what size needs to be displayed:
- Adapts based on device type
When your browser connects to a website, the HTTP request will include a field called “user-agent” that will inform the server about the type of device attempting to view the page. The adaptive website will know what version of the site to display based on what device is trying to reach it (i.e. desktop, mobile, tablet). Issues will arise if you shrink the browser window on a desktop because the page will continue to display the “desktop version” rather than shrinking to the new size.
- Adapts based on browser width
Instead of using the “user-agent”, the website uses media queries (a CSS feature that enables a webpage to adapt to different screen sizes) and breakpoints (certain width sizes) to switch between versions. So instead of having a desktop, tablet, and mobile version, you will have 1080px, 768px, and 480px width versions. This offers more flexibility when designing, and a better viewing experience as your website will adapt based on screen width.
Pros
- WYSIWYG editing (what you see is what you get)
- Custom designs are faster and easier to build without code
- Cross-browser and cross-device compatibility
- Fast-loading pages
Responsive Websites
Responsive websites can use flexible grid layouts that are based on the percentage each element takes up in its container: if one element (e.g. a header) is 25% of its container, that element will stay at 25% no matter the change in screen size. Responsive websites can also use breakpoints to create a custom look at every screen size, but unlike adaptive sites that adapt only when they hit a breakpoint, responsive websites are constantly changing according to the screen size.
Pros
- Great experience at every screen size, regardless of the device type
- Responsive website builders are typically rigid which makes the design hard to “break”
- Tons of available templates to start from
It’s important to note that website builders can include both adaptive and responsive features. For example, Pagecloud recently introduced a series of features that allow your content to act responsive even though the website itself is still adaptive.
Why Do We Need A Website?
A website can reduce these calls and increase internal productivity. At the same time, it helps customers find useful information without needing to call, which ultimately provides an all-around better user experience. Since your website is on 24/7, it’s easy to post updates and announcements to your customers.
How To Design A Website
- Set your goal.
- Choose a website builder.
- Define your layout.
- Claim your domain name.
- Gather your content.
- Add the right pages.
- Design your website elements.
- Pick the professional tools you need.
What Skills Do You Need To Design Website?
- Visual design. Visual design focus on digital products that determine how a website looks and feels.
- Using Design software
- HTML
- CSS
- JavaScript
- Time management skills
- Communication skills
- Problem-solving skills
Why Is Website Design Important?
Customers love to explore good design. Of course, an appealing factor is associated with it. But from a business point of view, how can a good website design help you? Here’s an explanation for this.
- It increases the usability factor. Design tends to create a positive impact on a user’s perception of how and what they can expect from the concerned website. Your website’s design decides the movement made by a user. A good website design means that it should inform the users easily about the products and services offered. If a website functions perfectly, a user will stick with it, and vice versa can also happen.
- It must allow easy navigation. Navigation is important part of a website. As a result, it should be designed in such a way that it is as simple as possible for users to find the solutions to their problems. Limit the navigation buttons and make it less chaotic for the visitor to enjoy a great website-visiting experience.
- It brings in conversions. A good website design instructs users on what to look for. It helps in directing the visitor toward exploring special offers, calls to action, and checking out the deals that matter to them. A good design helps in converting the visitor into a customer.
- It maintains brand credibility. Every 3 out of 4 users judge a website or business by checking the credibility of its website design. There must be professionalism displayed through the website that gives an idea of the trust that a visitor can have in the brand.
- Your website design is the most important tool that can help your business make a first impression on a visitor and convert them into a customer. Pay attention to it and enjoy great responses.
Website Design Prices In Ghana:
The average cost for designing a website ranges from Ghc1,000,00 to Ghc10,000.00 as stated earlier. Several factors impact the price of web design in Ghana, including the website’s style, size, and functionality features.