The perfect web environment doesn’t just look good. It also functions well. Every web environment has a set of purposes, and the quality of the environment is defined by its effectiveness in fulfilling those purposes. Creating the perfect web design requires both skill and the proper focus. Skill gained through experience can help a web designer choose good combinations of color and shape, but a clear focus honed by following some basic rules will help the web designer choose the right design for each product.
Designs that Fit
The key to selecting the right style for a particular site is to know the product inside and out. A designer who doesn’t know the product is ignoring the most important tool available. The more a designer knows about the product, the more appropriate the design will be. Think about what you need to know to find the right pair of shoes. You need to know your shoe size number, but a really good fit also requires you to consider other factors like the width, height, and shape of your foot. But just fitting well is not enough. To find the right shoe, you also need to find a style that works for you (the one wearing the shoe) and this has to be considered in light of the activity for which it will be worn. If you are planning to run a marathon, dress shoes won’t work, no matter how good looking they are.
In the same way, a great look does not guarantee that a website will do well. The perfect web environment effectively accomplishes its purposes, which depends on the product being presented on the site. Here are two major guidelines all designers should consider as they are constructing a new web environment. First, the designer needs to keep the target customers in mind. What are their ages, genders, professions, and hobbies? Knowing this will make a big difference. Second, the designer needs to consider the product itself. The style of its construction, the qualities that set it apart from competitors’ products, the way it is marketed, the price of the product, and what accessories or other products it is associated with can all point a designer in various directions. The more information the designer has about the product and the target audience, the better off the designer will be.
Design Guided by Knowledge
After sufficiently researching the product and the target audience, the designer is ready to apply this knowledge in crafting the perfect web environment. The style of the site should be chosen to appeal to the target audience, even if the designer personally prefers a different style. Characteristics of the product should also be worked into the site design. For example, if the product is sleek, the web environment should be sleek. If the product is rugged, the site should be as well. A site design that runs counter to the product design or marketing can drive away customers. Designers need to use what they know to guide their development of the web environment.
Design with Flexibility in Mind
No website is timeless. Like clothes, the style and appeal of a website will change over time. In addition, demographics can shift and product changes may require the web environment to be updated to maintain a good fit. Because of this, a designer should craft each web environment with flexibility in mind.
In particular, designers must not let their own personal preferences prevent them from making needed changes. Refusing to redesign as circumstances require will compromise the effectiveness of the site. The most effective design should be used in all circumstances. Redesigning as necessary will keep a perfect web environment perfect. Although such redesigning takes a lot of effort, the payoff is well worth it.
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