Just like in real life, the first impression is what matters the most on the Web. It takes just a couple of seconds for the first impression to be formed. The proper use of graphics, typography, and the right kind of layout can make or break your visitor’s trust. This is even more important for business websites since you want to build that trust with potential customers.

In this article, we’ll talk about professional website design. We’ll focus on eight tips that can be used to make your site look more professional. Hopefully, this will help you turn visitors into loyal fans, as well as potential buyers into customers.

Without further ado, let’s jump right in.

Pay Attention to Fonts

Every graphic design will say that fonts are what builds your website’s character. This is why it’s important to choose one that reflects your values and statements. Typography can be serious, fun, goofy, or make you seem creative or quirky. No matter how you want to present yourself, remember that the chosen font should be readable on both small and large screens.

Aside from picking the right kind of font, make sure to use it properly. Use larger fonts for headings and sub-headings, and smaller ones for the rest of your website. You can also combine two complementary fonts – one for the titles, the other one for the body text. These are the basis of professional website design.

Background is Important

Want to say a lot without saying a single word? Use an image that conveys your message. Also, don’t be afraid to use a huge hero (header) image that greets your website’s visitors.

One of the biggest Web design trends is the use of striking and large images. If you take a look at a couple of well-known business websites, you’ll use that most of them use a large hero image.

This is usually combined with a prominent headline, which provides a memorable experience. Just like with fonts, make sure to pick the one that suits your business’ culture and goals.

Use Big Images

Aside from using a large hero image, don’t be afraid to use large images throughout your website. A large hero image is what triggers your visitors’ attention and what keeps your website’s visitors focused. This is where you can include a call to action or a memorable statement about your business.

What’s even better is to use a series of large images throughout your homepage. A professional website design should build trust, which is exactly what carefully chosen images can do. The good news is that there are countless stock photo websites, where you can find high-quality imagery at affordable prices.

Professional Website Design – Just Keep it Simple

Minimalism will always be in style. However, this doesn’t mean that you should keep your website overly simple. Instead, focus on a simple colour scheme, a strong typography, and clear images.

By keeping your website’s design unpretentious, you’re making sure that your message is strong and uninterrupted. Even if your business is all about creativity and fun, there’s no reason not to go overboard with a vivid and complicated colour scheme.

Use Basic Logos

You’ll often hear that simplicity is the key. This is especially true when it comes to logos. If you’re unsure what we’re talking about, take a look at logos of several popular businesses. You’ll see that most of them are very simple and consisted of easily identifiable shapes.

A memorable logo should be straightforward – without a lot of different colours, hues, or gradients. Instead, it’s wise to use primary colours and elementary shapes. This kind of design goes a long way towards creating an impressionable logo.

It’s never a bad idea to spend some money on professional web design. If you’re on a tight budget, spending your money on a brand-new logo is a wise choice.

Consider Implementing Icons

Visual cohesion can be achieved if the same set of design principles are applied to every visual element. In other words, your logo should be your starting point. If you decide to listen to our advice, you’ll end up with an impressionable and simple logo.

These principles should be applied to your web-site’s icons as well. Simple icons consisted of a single colour, and line-based shapes are the perfect way to represent certain kinds of information symbolically.

Choose a Color Scheme

The majority of the most popular websites use a straightforward colour scheme. A combination of two colours should be more than sufficient when it comes to modern websites.

In addition to this, make sure your colour scheme is present on your entire website. This kind of a uniform design is important when it comes to ensuring intuitive and pleasurable User Experience (UX).

Even though any colour scheme based on complementary colours is allowed, try to use more ‘serious’ colours if you’re running a business website. In most cases, different hues of blue work great since this colour are often associated with trustfulness.

Footer Optimization

You know all about header optimization. This is what your website’s visitors see when they open your page. As a result, this is what creates the first impression. However, don’t forget about the bottom portion of your website.

Today’s professional website design dictates that websites should be simple, concise, and informative. This can be easily shown through your website’s footer. Aside from adding navigation links, this is a perfect place to show your address and contact information.

In many cases, this is where links to legal documents can be found. Make sure to utilize this often-neglected space and show your professionalism that way.

Conclusion

The rule is that professional website design is often rigid and set its own ways. Many of us will say that there’s not a lot experiment when it comes to business websites. However, you can still show a high level of professionalism while being bold in design. Web design can be incredibly fun, don’t forget that.