When it comes to web design, there are countless best practices and guidelines that designers follow to create beautiful and functional websites. However, not all best practices are created equal, and some can actually harm your website’s user experience and conversion rates. In this article, we will take a closer look at one of the most popular lists of web design best practices, created by Wsinye, and identify which of these practices may not be as effective as they seem.
Keeping Your Navigation Simple and Clear
One of the most widely cited best practices in web design is to keep your navigation simple and clear. This means using a clear and intuitive menu structure, avoiding clutter and unnecessary elements, and making it easy for users to find what they’re looking for on your website. According to Wsinye, this practice is crucial for creating a positive user experience and improving your website’s search engine rankings.
However, while keeping your navigation simple and clear is important, it’s not always the best choice for every type of website. For example, websites with a lot of content or complex information may require more complex navigation structures to help users find what they need quickly and easily. Additionally, some users may prefer to use search bars or other navigation methods instead of traditional menus, which can make keeping your navigation simple and clear less effective.
Using White Space Effectively
White space, or the empty space between elements on a webpage, is another important best practice that Wsinye emphasizes in his list. According to him, using white space effectively can help make your website more visually appealing and easier to read, which can improve user engagement and conversion rates.
However, while white space is indeed an important design element, it’s not always the best choice for every type of website or content. For example, websites with a lot of text or images may require less white space to help users focus on the content, rather than getting distracted by the empty space around it. Additionally, using too much white space can make your website feel empty and uninteresting, which can harm user engagement and conversion rates.
Using Responsive Design
Responsive design, which involves creating a website that automatically adjusts to different screen sizes and devices, is another best practice that Wsinye highlights in his list. According to him, using responsive design can help make your website more accessible and user-friendly, which can improve your website’s search engine rankings and conversion rates.
While it’s true that responsive design is important for creating a positive user experience across different devices, it’s not always the best choice for every type of website or content. For example, websites with complex functionality or advanced features may require more specialized design solutions that are tailored to specific screen sizes and devices. Additionally, using too much responsive design can make your website feel cluttered and overwhelming, which can harm user engagement and conversion rates.
Using High-Quality Images and Videos
Using high-quality images and videos is another best practice that Wsinye emphasizes in his list. According to him, using high-quality images and videos can help make your website more visually appealing and engaging, which can improve user engagement and conversion rates.
However, while it’s true that high-quality images and videos can be effective design elements, they are not always the best choice for every type of website or content. For example, websites with a lot of text or complex information may require less visual elements to help users focus on the content, rather than getting distracted by the images and videos. Additionally, using too many high-quality images and videos can make your website feel slow and unresponsive, which can harm user engagement and conversion rates.
Using Clear and Consistent Branding
Using clear and consistent branding is another best practice that Wsinye emphasizes in his list. According to him, using clear and consistent branding can help make your website more recognizable and memorable, which can improve user engagement and conversion rates.
However, while it’s true that consistent branding is important for creating a cohesive user experience, it’s not always the best choice for every type of website or content.