If you’re like most people, you like things that look nice. It takes about 50 milliseconds for a website user to decide whether they will stay on your website, or choose another. Visual appeal is one of the larger influencing categories in making this decision. If this information has you thinking you need to modernize your website, there are a few things you can do to update its look without going through a complete redesign.
1. Simplicity is Key
Cut through the visual noise. If you have a busy color scheme or too many pictures on one page you are giving the user too much to process. Modern sites tend to have large areas of white space and simple color palettes. Limit your palette to three colors. These can be complementary or adjacent to each other on the color wheel. Use colors such as red or orange as accents only. Too much is “glaring” on the eyes. However, when placed properly on a page, bright colors against an otherwise subdued background can draw the eye to important information.
2. Revamp Your Pictures
If you are looking to modernize your website, chances are your pictures are outdated. Whether you used amateur photos, or they were stock photos from the last decade, they probably need to go. There are a number of free resources for professional photos and even photos taken with modern cameras are higher-quality than those from decades past. Unsplash offers thousands of free high-quality pictures that are sure to make your website more appealing. Changing your pictures is such a simple change that will give your site the facelift that it needs.
3. Change Your Fonts
When it comes to fonts the question we need to ask ourselves is, “Am I making the right impression?” Comic Sans may not be appropriate for a professional website. The font needs to project a mood. Consider what you do and how your clients should feel when they visit your site.
Large bold fonts will usually capture the user’s attention immediately. Therefore, you should use them to say important things. When used loosely, it confuses the user and can quickly clutter a page. Try reserving these fonts for titles, headings, and important directions.
Decorative fonts should be used with discretion. When used properly, they add depth and color to an otherwise simple page. But when used liberally, they can make a page seem chaotic. Use these fonts for emphasis on something that may be stated in an easier font to read.
Small fonts can be used for general information or descriptions. However, it is important that you use the proper color. Because smaller fonts can be more difficult to read, picking a color that stands out from the background is important.
Taking these steps to modernize the look of your website can do a lot to benefit your company and doesn’t require a huge investment of time or money. However, there does come a time when a complete redesign is needed. If your site hasn’t been updated during the past three years, you probably need to have it evaluated.
Effect Web Agency builds high-performance sites that are beautiful, mobile-friendly and FAST. Contact us for more information on what you can do to modernize your website.
