5 Website Benefits of Design and Development Synergy
How many blogs have you read about optimizing your website impact? Too many probably. Let’s face it. There are so many theories. How can you apply them all? You’ll never get all of it right. Right?
In overwhelming circumstances I follow principles rather than specifics. Principles are the general guidelines all the detail are based on. It’s similar to the values your actions are motivated by.
When you think of your website I want you to imagine two guidelines: Design and development.
What is Design and Development?
In broad terms they are:
– Design: The visual aspects of your website such as layouts and graphics. This is everything consumers see.
– Development: This refers to how your website works. It can incorporate a database and a server. It works via coding in HTML and CSS. It supports many of the design features. You must decide which features your website needs. A development team will make it work.
You can see design features relate to creativity. Much of development relates to logic and functionality.
Why is this Important?
Imagine there’s only a development team. Its focus will be on practical aspects. Will the website ever look enticing? This may not matter to a development team.
Can you see that both are necessary for the ideal website? When both these PRINCIPLES—logic and creativity—work in synergy you’ll get excellent results.
As a website owner it’s your responsibility to ensure both elements exist.
Here’s what you’ll gain.
- You Reach a Larger Audience
By reach I don’t mean superficial momentary engagement. When you really reach someone you:
– Engage
– Intrigue
– Interact
How many times does this happen on your website?
It could be that your site—or products or services—is only relevant to a small community of people. Design and development aren’t yet working together.
When your website offers logical flow combined with stunning aesthetics you’re moving in the right direction.
- Engagement Increases
Your website’s success must be measured in terms of engagement. Not even large numbers of visitors can count as a victory.
If these visitors simply leave the site without leaving anything behind what good did they do you?
Visitors can engage:
– Purchasing products
– Giving a review
– Leaving personal information for your database
You probably know calls to action are essential. How are yours working for you?
If you don’t experience much engagement your CTA’s may simply need adjustment. Are the design and development guidelines working to their benefit?
Your developers can create the perfect way to capture information. They can also support a quick purchase process.
If your customers don’t notice these CTA’s it’s all for nothing.
This is why layout and design is essential. It’s supposed to guide your visitors’ eyes towards the areas where you want them to take action.
These directions can happen via:
– Color usage
– Placement on the page and the proximity to other valuable information
– White space usage
Creative website developers usually have a natural feel for what layout designs work.
- Processes are Faster
You can have a stunning ecommerce website that no one wants to use.
Features
Website users require quick and accurate processes. In 2017 we live in a fast paced world. Your website can’t lag behind. You’ll lose customers. They know there are other websites that offer faster services.
This is a reason to opt for professional websites instead of designing one yourself.
Website software offers many widgets and plug-and-play features. These may offer visitors the appropriate features. Are they as dynamic and fast as ones designed specifically for your use?
Images
The use of photographs on websites offer an excellent example of synergy. Creative website designers use images and graphics to make websites visually appealing.
When it’s time for these websites to load these images can cause problems. Large image files can result in lag.
Luckily developers offer many solutions to this challenge. Software can lower the file size without taking away quality.
- Public Image Improves
You know first impression last. When it comes to your website you’re faced with a challenge. Different people look for different features. How do you keep everyone happy?
Cater for all
By combining adequate amounts of logic and creativity you’ll solve most of this problem. These principles incorporate most of what people believe is important. Simply make sure there’s balance:
– For creative oriented people it’s essential to offer aesthetics. They will probably judge your website—and your business—based on the look. Is it modern? Does the theme match the market? Are there enough photographs to divulge information?
– Logically oriented people love information. Make sure product descriptions and company details are clearly displayed. As long as they get answers to their questions they’re happy.
Visual First Impressions
Even logically oriented visitors will react to your visual aspects. Graphics and pictures register faster on the brain than text. Information captured visually can be recalled easier too.
The aesthetic side of your website will leave an impression on everyone opening your pages. This happens without them knowing. This is the value design brings.
- It Becomes User Friendly
Two people with different preferences rarely agree. A website design team often ends up debating. This is perfect!
When people with opposite approaches analyze a website pitfalls are identified. There is less chance of forgetting to add vital features or content. Someone on the team is bound to find it important. Even if no one else does.
This especially relates to user friendliness. A process which seems easy to a logical developer can seem complicated to an artistic designer.
If that’s the experience in the design room imagine how your visitors will feel.
The result is a website which caters for all and is as user friendly as possible—to all types of people.
Your personal preferences can have you believe one aspect is more important than the other. Now you see how these principles must align. This is why the best websites are usually designed by teams. With creative and logical team members working together the most important features are all covered. Understand how these principles work in synergy. Keep your own website—and the team running it—balanced at all times.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
