Web design is more than just a combination of colors and fonts. It is a complex interplay of various detailed decisions that ultimately all pursue the goal of creating an appealing site that the user likes to visit and linger on. And because it's not that simple - here is our article on the “dos and don'ts in web design”.

Quick reminder: What is web design?

Web design includes the design of layout, colors, fonts and the overall appearance of a website as well as the programming of the necessary code. Structuring content is also part of the process to ensure user-friendly navigation. This is about more than just what is visible: technical and visual elements are combined to create a coherent user experience. The goal is an aesthetically pleasing and effective website that is user-friendly and conveys the desired message - and invites users to stay. 

Brief overview: the 7 basic rules of web design

Before we get to what you should and shouldn't do, here is a brief overview of what is considered the basis or minimum rules for good web design. 

• Simple navigation 

• Responsive design for different devices (smartphone, tablet, ...) 

• Fast loading times 

• Consistent visual elements 

• Search engine optimization 

• Good readability 

• Tailored to the target group

These points are a kind of “framework” that should always be used as a guide, no matter what decisions are made in the process for a new website. 

Design etiquette and “deadly sins”

We've collected the things you really can't do and the things you should do - so here's our list of dos and don'ts. 

Typography - the fine art of writing

• Do: Make sure you choose a consistent and legible font. A clear hierarchy system with different font sizes for headings and paragraphs helps to structure the text and increase readability. Large font sizes are, among other things, a means of highlighting important information.

• Don't: It's best to stick to one font, otherwise you could end up with a mess, which not only doesn't look nice, but unfortunately also screams “I have no idea what I'm doing”. 

There are a few other aspects of typography that should definitely be taken into account, such as 

• Choice of font to suit the topic - a law firm certainly does not benefit from Comic Sans. 

• Word divisions - never interrupt the flow of reading. 

• Highlighting with care - otherwise you won't know what to focus on first. 

In addition to typography, there are other points where caution is better than hindsight - such as colors, whitespace and navigation. 

Colors - The magic of the right combination 

• Do: It is essential to use color schemes that are consistent and pleasing to the eye. Colors can create moods and draw attention to important elements. There are many websites to help you put together a good palette, such as coolors.

• Don't: A website is neither an advertising pillar, nor a dance floor from the 70s. Neon colors are not easy for the human eye to process and should therefore either not be used at all or used with caution. And we don't need the rainbow effect either - after all, we're not unicorns. 
  

Whitespace - The invisible hero

• Do: Using whitespace - or white space - generously makes a lot of sense. It creates clarity and draws the eye to the important elements of the page. A little breathing space can work wonders.

• Don't: Ignoring white space and squeezing everything into a tight space as if you're short of room so people don't have to scroll - not a good idea. Visitors shouldn't feel like sardines in a can.
  

Navigation - The signpost in the labyrinth

• Do: It's best to keep navigation simple and consistent. Visitors should feel like they are on a well-signposted highway - clear and targeted. Breadcrumb navigation can also help here, so that visitors always know where they are. 

• Don't: Using too many levels of hierarchy - not a good idea. As a rule, everything should always be a maximum of 3 clicks away from the homepage. The navigation system should not be more complicated than an Ikea manual. 
  

Responsive design - Prepared for all cases (and devices)

• Do: You have to make sure that your website looks good on all devices. Whether on a huge office monitor or a small smartphone screen - and that's what “responsive” means. 

• Don't: Who hasn't experienced this? You visit a website on your smartphone and it's so small that you have to scroll with difficulty to read the content. Stay there any longer? Absolutely not. Of course, it's not that easy, but it should be done by a professional if you can't do it yourself. 

There are of course other aspects that you can and should consider - but if you want to find out more in general, you can take a look at this article here. 

Summary 

Good web design is not only a question of aesthetics, but also of functionality. It improves user-friendliness, increases the conversion rate and either makes visitors stay longer or even makes them come back. And that is the ultimate goal. A well-designed website conveys professionalism, trust and ensures that your message comes across clearly and effectively. And if in doubt: get help with this rather than either taking on too much or making gross mistakes. 

You can find more articles from us in our blog.