Best Practices For Website Design in 2024 (Plus, Some to Avoid)
Introduction
The way we design websites is constantly evolving, and 2024 is no different. What worked a couple of years agoâheck, even last yearâmight now be more outdated than your dusty old MySpace profile (remember those?). Today, best practices for website design are all about balancing sleek, user-friendly interfaces with speed, accessibility, and, of course, that "wow" factor.
But here's the thing: It's not just about knowing the right things to do, it's also about steering clear of some seriously outdated trends. You know, the ones that make visitors click the back button faster than they clicked on your link in the first place. The good news? We're here to walk you through what's hot, what's not, and why following these best practices can help you stay ahead of the game in 2024.
From mobile-first web design (because, let's face it, most of us are glued to our phones) to AI-driven personalisation (creepy, but in a good way), we'll break down everything you need to know. Plus, we'll throw in a few design disasters to avoid so you don't fall into the trap of using ancient techniques like flash intros. (We know, we can't believe they were ever a thing either!)
So, buckle upâwait, scratch that, no buckle ups hereâand let's dive into the world of 2024 web design where sleek UX, fast-loading pages, and accessibility rule the land.
But, before we start, let's always keep this quote below from Paul Rand in the back of our mind when trying to break new ground or attempt something new:
"The public is more familiar with bad design than good design. It is, in effect, conditioned to prefer bad design, because that is what it lives with. The new becomes threatening, the old reassuring."
â Paul Rand
Foundational Web Design Principles
Don't underestimate the basics in web design
Alright, before we get into the flashy trends of 2024, let's talk basics. You wouldn't build a house on a shaky foundation, right? The same goes for websites. Foundational web design principles are the bread and butter that make your site functional, engaging, andâmost importantlyâuseful. And honestly, without these, even the coolest animations or AI-powered widgets won't save your site from a one-way trip to bounce-ville.
Effective Use of White Space
Ever feel like some websites are practically yelling at you with a million things going on at once? That's where white space (also called negative space) comes in. Think of it as the quiet hero of web designâit gives your content room to breathe and lets your users focus on the important stuff without feeling overwhelmed. Like a good cup of coffee, sometimes less is more.
Plus, white space is a great way to improve readability and make your site feel modern and clean. Trust us, clutter is so 2005.
Colour Schemes
Choosing a colour scheme can feel like picking out an outfit for the biggest party of the yearâit's gotta be just right. Your website's colours should align with your brand identity and evoke the emotions you want your users to feel (whether that's trust, excitement, or even a little sense of mystery).
Just make sure you don't go overboard with neon hues. Also, don't forget about accessibilityâensure enough contrast between text and background colours so everyone can read your content. Bold is good, blinding is not.
Typography
If fonts had personalities, Comic Sans would be the awkward uncle at a family gathering. For 2024, we're sticking to clean, readable typography that works across devices. No more wild font experiments that leave users squinting at their screens!
Consistency is keyâkeep your fonts and styles uniform throughout the site, and use different weights or sizes to guide users through your content.
When done right, typography helps build visual hierarchy, which we'll talk about in a second. Bottom line: If your text isn't readable, nothing else matters.
Visual Hierarchy
Think of visual hierarchy as your website's GPSâit guides users through your content, telling them what's important and what to do next.
You want your visitors to know exactly where their eyes should go, whether it's a headline, a call-to-action (CTA) button, or an image. This is where things like font size, colour contrast, and layout come into play. Make sure your most critical info pops outâwhether that's your new product launch or your witty taglineâso no one misses the good stuff.
When you combine these foundational elements, you've got a website that's not just pretty, but also smart, functional, and ready to tackle whatever 2024 throws at it. Because without these solid principles, all those fancy trends we'll cover later are just lipstick on a pig. Or in this case, a website.
Foundation Recap
- White Space: Use negative space to avoid clutter and improve readability.
- Colour Schemes: Align colours with your brand identity and ensure high contrast for accessibility.
- Typography: Choose clean, readable fonts and maintain consistency across the site.
- Visual Hierarchy: Guide users' attention using font size, contrast, and layout to highlight key information.
Best Practices for User Experience (UX)
Design for all screen sizes and devices
So, you've got the foundational stuff downâawesome. But now, it's time to make your website not just look good, but feel good. That's where User Experience (UX) comes into play. Think of it like this: If your website were a restaurant, UX would be the smooth service that keeps people coming back, even if the decor is Instagram-worthy. People need to enjoy being on your site. If they have to solve a puzzle just to find the "Contact Us" page, you've already lost them.
Let's break down the top best practices for web design when it comes to user experience in 2024:
Simple, Intuitive Navigation
We've all been thereâstumbling around a website like we're lost in a corn maze, wondering where the heck that "About Us" page is hiding. Navigation should be as simple and intuitive as possible. Sticky menus or drop-down menus are great for keeping things organised without cluttering up the screen.
The goal is to make sure users can get anywhere on your site in just a few clicks. Think less "choose your own adventure" and more "find what you need instantly."
Call-to-Action (CTA) Buttons
A CTA should be the shining beacon on your website. If users don't know what action to take next, you've missed an opportunity. Make sure your CTAs stand out visuallyâbold colours, clear text, and prominent placement are key here. It's like giving someone a giant, friendly neon sign that says, "Hey! Click me!"
Whether it's downloading an ebook, signing up for a newsletter, or adding a product to their cart, your CTAs should be obvious and enticing.
Mobile Optimisation
If your website isn't optimised for mobile in 2024, let's be realâit's pretty much invisible. With more than 50% of global web traffic coming from mobile devices, mobile-first design isn't just a recommendation; it's a must.
This means your site needs to be responsive, with simplified navigation, fast loading times, and layouts that look great on any screen size. Nobody wants to zoom in and out like they're playing Tetris just to read your blog post.
Performance Optimisation
Speed mattersâa lot. We live in an era where people abandon a web page if it takes more than a couple of seconds to load. Performance optimisation is all about keeping your website lightning-fast and responsive.
This blog post continues with additional sections on modern web design trends, accessibility, and common mistakes to avoid in 2024.
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