Your website is your home base online. It’s often the first place people go to learn more about who you are and what you do. For this reason, it’s the ideal opportunity for you, the small business owner, to create a strong connection with prospective clients.
These five Web design tips can really help your brand stand out – and leave a great impression:
Use color that conveys what your brand stands for
Much has been written about the psychology of color, because it sends subtle signals about who you are and what your brand stands for. Here’s a quick overview of what certain colors imply:
Use ne contrasting color
Pick a contrasting color that will add visual interest and – more importantly – help calls-to-action stand out. Don’t worry, your contrasting color will not negate the message that your main color is sending!
Use images that evoke emotions
The images you use on your website create an emotional connection between your brand and website visitor – if you use the right images. Unfortunately, if your images are bland stock photos, people will view your brand as completely dull and uninspired.
Push yourself – or your Web designer – to find gorgeous, unusual images or illustrations that incorporate your brand’s color palette (see above) and convey a mood or feeling that you want associated with your brand.
Make sure your pricing is clear and bold
The last time you bought an airline ticket, were you shocked and outraged at all the random fees tacked on when it came time to hit the buy button – fees that could just as well have been rolled into the ticket price? (The one that I hate the most – paying to check a bag. That’s just ridiculous.)
Don’t leave your clients feeling the same way. Be completely upfront about your pricing right on your website. List everything that is included and use language that is clear and straightforward.
Use fonts that are easy to read – and uniform
A lot of Web design focuses on improving the user experience, and font plays a big role – style, size and color.
What will you do to ensure your brand stands out online?
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Monika Jansen is a freelance copywriter and editor who helps with companies of all shapes on sizes kick their content up to the next level. You can find her online at www.jansencomm.com.