The online world is constantly changing. And with this, businesses are upping their game with various online marketing strategies to solidify their brand. Here is where custom web design comes into play. Business owners and marketers have used and are still using custom web design to boost their online presence. And we see the point! This is a smart move to improve customer interaction and increase your reach while showcasing your brand personality.
But what does 2022 have in store for custom web design and the industry? This post will answer all your questions about custom web design and what you can do to improve your website. Are you ready?
Without further ado, here are the ins and outs of custom web design in 2022.
Let’s Ponder
Before we start, allow us to ask a few questions. Can you remember the last website that caught your attention? What exactly made you pause and scroll through that website? Was it the content? Was it the color coordination? Or was it the layout?
Or all of the above?
And why? Why do you think this element made you stay on the webpage?
How do you think this element created an impression on the company and its ideals? Or changed the way you think of the company before?
Whatever your answers are, one thing is for sure: the website is vital in how you perceive the business. While anyone can make websites, a good website leaves a mark on the reader/customer. And this mark is what entices them to go back for more.
Custom web design changes the game in engaging new users and maintaining loyal customers. But before we get to the reason why, let’s go back to the beginning.
Starting with the Basics
What is custom web design? Custom web design is, as the name suggests, building a customizable website from the ground up. In a custom web design, there are no premade templates or graphics. To create and keep the site running, developers use a series of unique codes based on the company’s preferences.
Today, this kind of site design is popular among large brands. Business entities use a personalized approach to creating their web pages, and they can prove how effective customized websites are. Why do you think you immediately imagine blue when you think of Facebook? Or subconsciously see the tiny red bubble above the notification icon when talking about unread notifications?
Aside from personalization, a customized web design can provide more to your company’s advantage. So, what ‘more’ are we talking about here?
The Benefits of a Customized Web Design
If you still aren’t convinced about the importance of having a customized website, here are some factors to help you change your mind:
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Distinguishes your brand.
As we have suggested earlier, your customized web design can make your company stand out from the competitive market. You don’t want to rely on templates for your website because chances are, you’ll have similar-looking layouts with other companies. This is not good, especially if you are trying to expand your reach and strengthen your brand’s online presence.
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User engagement.
With customized web designs, you can take personalization to the next level with user interaction. Because you have full control over the content on your web pages, you can engage your customers better. And you can also get them to interact with you through creative Contact Us pages or call-to-action features. Just be more attentive to what they want and prefer.
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A greater SEO influence.
SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, allows your site to gain more visibility to new users. A customized website allows you to work on your SEO strategies, including your keyword targeting and metadata use. Templated websites usually don’t have access to these settings, which does not help in boosting your visibility and discoverability online.
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Easier updates.
When you customize your website or have a company customize it for you, you can install updates anytime you want. In the competitive online market, keeping up with the trends is vital in helping you maintain your website ranking. You don’t want to miss out on generating more customers by having the same layout since your site’s launch. Additionally, you can also increase site traffic and prevent digital threats with regular web updates.
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Better security and prevention.
Cyber-attacks and malware can happen to any business, even those with no recognizable rivals waiting to disrupt their business. Nowadays, hackers have improved their tactics, and frustratingly, some of them purposely damage sites and site information for fun. The best way to keep your website away from potential threats and viruses is to build your security wall yourself. Or have a trusted IT company to establish it for you.
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Good scalability.
Improving your website means upgrading your web features or adding more to keep your website interesting for users. A website using templates may require you to do a complete makeover, even with minor changes to your launched site. You can’t afford that. A customized website may be the best choice in improving your site performance, increasing conversions, and optimizing your online marketing.
Now that you’ve learned the benefits that custom web design brings to your online business venture, let’s delve in deeper. Website creation is a lot more work than it seems, and it’s best to know that. To help you, here are the elements of a web design that you should focus on when customizing your site.
Elements of a Custom Web Design
Every website has its own approach when dealing with each of the elements of the web design. As a business owner/marketer, it’s important to know what features you should focus on to make your site unique. The right combination of element design can enhance your brand and showcase your personality.
So, what are the important web design elements you should consider?
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Visuals: Layout and Media
This includes the graphics, the animation, and any other visual content that you would like to include in your website.
How Important Are the Visuals?
The first thing that your user would notice when they click on your page is the visual content. Therefore, choosing the right images and symbols on your pages is important to keep your users engaged.
If you sell products, using images is ideal to showcase the uniqueness of each product you are selling. When you’d rather have your customers quickly understand any company information, using infographics can get your idea across faster. Furthermore, visual cues are great marketing tools to capture the interest of new customers. And if you play your cards right, you might just gain regular customers from that bunch.
Questions to Ask:
- What types of visual content should I include in my web pages? And how many?
- Should I use visual content for this information? What can I do to convey this information easily?
- How can I improve my current visual content to appeal to customers?
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Written Content
This refers to all the worded information present on your web pages.
How Important Is Written Content?
Your written content serves as the foundation of your entire website. How you craft your sentences is essential in establishing the kind of brand you represent. Thus, your brand’s personality and principles should shine through the words you utilize.
When you start using informational and useful content that your target audience loves, you improve your brand reputation too. Also, the phrases and words you’ll use throughout the scale of your website determine your site ranking in search engines. SEO, as we have emphasized earlier, plays a huge role in your website’s performance in the online marketing world.
Questions to Ask:
- What tone should I use in my written content?
- What keywords should I use to increase my Search Engine Optimization?
- How can I make my written content more readable and interesting for my customers?
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Typography
This includes the header, footer, and content font styles and font sizes you use in your web pages.
How Important Is Typography?
One of the common mistakes that business owners make when creating their website is to use a lot of fonts. While this technique can apply appropriately to some web pages, it shouldn’t be used for the entirety of the website.
The art of typography is crucial in making written content look professional and pleasing to read. Knowing what font details to utilize for every section of your pages helps your site maintain consistency and readability. And this leads to a positive user experience, which is vital in maintaining loyal and satisfied customers.
Questions to Ask:
- What kind of font should I use, that would better represent my branding?
- Are my spacing and font details enough to emphasize key points on my web pages?
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Navigation
This includes the clickable links, tabs, keys, and other menu options used to facilitate movement on your website.
How Important Is Navigation?
When customers browse through your site, they expect to get the information they need immediately. They don’t want to spend a lot of time going through your pages to look for something specific. Here is where navigation keys play a huge role.
Navigation can make your user’s journey on your site more enjoyable and smoother. Your site should be more accessible and easier-to-use so users feel encouraged to get to know your business more.
Questions to Ask:
- Where should I put my menu options so users can easily find them?
- Are my navigation keys distinct and clear?
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Color Palette
This includes the color combinations you use throughout your website.
How Important Is A Color Palette?
In psychology, colors can influence mood and behavior and affect how we respond and act. This applies to web design as well. On top of keeping your website aesthetically pleasing, colors can help you entice your customers. Whether to make a purchase or contact you, a good color palette can make or break your user engagement.
Hence, in choosing colors and shades on your site, it’s best to find balance and coordination.
Questions to Ask:
- What color scheme can best represent my brand?
- Should I add or remove more colors on my site to keep it interesting for my readers?
- Which color should I use to:
- Encourage action?
- Highlight key points?
- Evoke emotion?
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Mobile-Friendliness
This refers to how you optimize your website to work on mobile devices.
How Important Is Mobile-Friendliness?
With the rise of technology comes the high expectations of users to access websites on their mobile phones. This year alone, statistics show that 6.3 billion people worldwide are smartphone users. This is also set to increase by 0.3 billion in 2022. Thus, this increases the use and the tendency of users to prefer mobile devices in accessing websites.
Furthermore, users want an improved mobile experience. Since mobile devices are easier to carry, they are more likely to browse through your site wherever and whenever. A mobile-friendly website also increases traffic and decreases bounce rates.
Questions to Ask:
- Is my website’s mobile option accessible and easy to use?
- Does my navigation work smoothly?
- Does my website load fast?
Each website element contributes greatly to the overall impact of your website on users and consumers. If you know how to coordinate these elements to create a striking website, users will find their way to you.
Now that we’ve discussed the elements of a web design, are you set to create your customized website? Wait just yet! Let’s talk about the custom web design process to help you prepare throughout each stage of your website creation. Learning this also helps guide you in collaborating with your trusted custom web design company to generate your desired results.
The Custom Web Design Process
Like all marketing processes, the custom web design process requires a lot of research, trial-and-error, and creativity. To aid you, here is an outline of what you can expect throughout the custom web design process:
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Goal Development
Before starting everything else, you need to be aware of what your goals are. This includes your company ideals, principles, purpose, and vision. If you have a clear understanding of what your branding should look like, it’ll be easier to plan everything out.
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Planning
After you’ve established what you want your website to look like, you’ll want to plan the execution. This is when you look at the details more carefully. You’ll have to think about the basic elements and any additional features you want on your website. It’s best to be as clear as possible so when the designing part happens, there will be fewer changes.
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Design
This is the action of the plan. If you’re working with a web developer, this is when they’ll be taking the time to create the page templates. Usually, they’ll ask you questions regarding the best choices on your website, so be in touch.
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Revisions and Tweaking
After completing the designing process, your developer will send you a sample of the web pages they have designed. This is when you’ll see your plans implemented and make revisions as necessary. During this process, don’t be afraid to voice out your opinions and ask for your developer’s inputs. After all, this is a collaborative effort and you would want the best minds on board.
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Delivery.
This is when your site becomes 90% ready. Your online web pages are ready for viewing, and the final output has already undergone revisions.
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Maintenance
Your website’s launch isn’t the final step of the custom web design process. Since websites require updating from time to time, this step is as crucial as the rest. You can contact your regular developer should you need to make changes or update any content within your site.
Are you finally ready to start creating your web design from scratch? Or enlist the services of a custom web design company to help you?
What Does 2022 Have in Store for Custom Web Design?
With the surge of online businesses and digital marketing, we don’t see any decrease in the use of customizable websites. In fact, they are especially critical now more than ever. With more companies joining in on the trend, businesses should invest in engaging websites to thrive in the online market. Building a reputable online presence should remain at the forefront of every business owner’s or marketer’s mind.
Final Words
Now that we’ve discussed everything about custom web design, are you ready to transform your business digitally? It’s never too late to start setting up your online presence now.
If you need help with your customized website, Proweaver is your dependable custom web design company. We can support you throughout the entire process and keep your website looking the best it can be. Ready to collaborate with us? Get in touch with us today by calling +1 (877) 216-0852, +1 (877) 300-6564, or +1 (866) 777-8315. We can’t wait to help you build the website of your dreams.