Building Better Websites: A Three-Part Series

Part 1: Web Design Matters

Did you know that the internet is comprised of over one billion websites, of which more than 200 million are active? (InternetLiveStats) The fact is, millions of Americans turn to the web every day to help guide their choices. According to Forbes, 65 percent of people see online search as the most trusted source of information about people and companies which is a higher level of trust than any other online or offline source. (Forbes) From food to fashion, the internet has become the golden standard for information delivery and it continues to grow in use every day.

In a recent survey, nearly half of US adults said they have Googled someone before doing business with them. Of those polled, 45 percent said they found something in an online search that made them decide not to do business while 56 percent found something that solidified their decision to do business with them. (Forbes) Couple this with the fact that 71 percent of all small businesses in the US have a website (SmallBusiness.com), it becomes clear that the battle for the average American consumer has moved from word of mouth to the web. But it takes more than merely having a website to win consumers over.

In The State of Content: Expectations on the Rise, a survey and corresponding analysis put out by Adobe, they aptly note that consumers’ standards are continually rising and that content must be well-designed and easy to consume or sites risk losing their audience. When polled, respondents said they prioritize display and design when viewing content across both their personal and professional lives. Sites needed to hold their attention, display well across devices, and have good design, such as appealing layout and photography. (Adobe) The Journal of Behaviour & Information Technology found that “visual appeal can be assessed within 50 milliseconds, suggesting that web designers have about 50 milliseconds to make a good first impression.” This signifies that users are making these decisions within seconds of visiting a company’s website.

What does this really mean?

US consumers, whether seeking products or services for their personal lives or for their workplaces, greatly value strong design and web experience. Not only that, but in today’s market, websites have less than one second to make a positive or negative first impression. In order to build your consumer base and convert customers to take action and purchase, you need a website that stands out among the rest.

Easier said than done.

There are many things to consider when building a website. Discovering and targeting the appropriate marketing segments, developing meaningful and impactful messaging that drives conversion, creating and digitizing branding for strong impact, developing continuous aesthetic feel, and building intuitive usability and functionality are all important factors in creating a website that speaks to consumers. When we break down these main components, it’s clear that building a website requires several specialized skills, including coding, copywriting, user analysis, and strategic development. A strong web designer is the lynchpin that brings these crucial pieces together.

Turn to the web design experts.

Good web designers balance usability with design while impactfully highlighting crucial information to create a site that is both visually appealing and easy to use. They combine content with relevant imagery, a tailored color palette, and a well thought out page structure to deliver a seamless and memorable experience. Talented web designers make a user’s journey easy to navigate by utilizing visual cues and avoiding commonplace pitfalls like overly complex designs, poor use of color, or poor text placement.

The truth is, good web design principles are rarely innate, and many web designers spend years honing their craft in post-secondary education, through internships, and later working in the field. It is an egregious expectation to assume anyone outside of the industry have the capabilities, know-how, and even interest to create successful web experiences. Rather than taking valuable time and resources from your regular work flow to learn how to design and build websites, it is always better to look to the experts.

Web design agencies should be able to provide a full suite of services including market research, branding, content design, copywriting, custom programming, search engine optimization, and have a trained web designer on staff. At Ocreative, we know you are at the top of your field—you know what you are doing, and you’re busy doing it. That’s where we come in. We’ve curated a team of talented professionals who are passionate about their work and who spend their days continually practicing their craft. By working with a Milwaukee web design agency like Ocreative, you are ensuring you can spend your time where it’s most needed, while we work with you to create a successful website.

About Us

Ocreative is a Milwaukee marketing agency, with expertise and broad experience in developing digital marketing strategies, and growing their online presence, for their clients. The company’s core values include offering the highest level of customer service, award-worthy quality, and performance that surpasses client expectations. Ocreative is located just outside Milwaukee, and works with clients locally, nationally, and globally. Their clients have access to some of the most fun and knowledgeable professionals around – ones who inspire, educate, and problem solve. The agency provides marketing and brand strategy, advertising and design, website design and social media, and video expertise to their clients, fulfilling their desire for business growth, and their aspiration to make a mark on their industry.