Web design is a series of activities that pertain towards making a website’s structure and its visual elements. It is basically a balance between art and science. 

Not only do site owners want their website to look good in the eyes of the audience but also want to provide them with a functional site that provides the audience a user-friendly user interface(UI) leading to a memorable user experience (UX).

Factors worth considering when building the website

Those who want to build websites without any web design aid must have the following things ready at hand:

• Domain Name: This is the website’s unique address. The domain name is an address of sorts that is typed by users in the browser address bar to visit the website. This is why it must be ensured that the domain name is easy to remember by adding the business’s/brand’s/company’s name.

• The website host: This makes the website’s content accessible online. The website is like a physical store and the website host like a building where the store is present i.e. space provided is either bought or rented.

• Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certification: SSL certification is a fundamental requirement. This helps authenticate and verify the website’s identity. It also helps encrypt data between a site and the visitors. SSL certificates also help protect customer information.

• Content Management System (CMS)/Website building tool: Choose either as both can help build the website.

• Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Analytics Tools: SEO tools like Google Search Console help check and improve a website’s ranking in the search engine results pages (SERPs). They also play a key role in helping improve the SEO strategy. Tools like Google Analytics help track website traffic and any data pertaining to visitors.

• Point of Sale (PoS) systems: Those who are selling products/services online and also process payments via the website can integrate a POS system in the website. It helps provide seamless and smooth transactions.

Tips on designing a website for beginners

Designing and developing a website can be daunting. Yet it can be fun. But for beginners with no experience in coding, It can be a challenge. Those who have the resources and time to develop their own website without any aid can use the following surefire tips from professionals working at a well-known web design company in Dubai to help make and launch their own site:

• Clearly defining the website’s objectives.

• Collecting the brand’s assets.

• Selecting a CMS/website builder.

• Selecting a layout/template.

• Customizing pages.

• Testing the website.

Clearly defining the website’s objectives

Identifying the website’s objectives is a critical first-step in the why of web design and development for the website. When the goals are defined properly the audience is also defined. The conversions happening on the website are also easily quantifiable. 

These very objectives also help guide the website’s design and development, help placement of vital elements, plus any calls to action (CTAs) present.

Collecting the brand’s assets

The brand’s assets should be ready before starting with the design aspect. They are elements forming the business’s identity. They include the following:

• Company’s name.

• Colors.

• Color Palette.

• Fonts.

• Logo.

• Taglines.

Choosing either a Content Management System (CMS) or a website builder

Making the website without any help in web design is possible. Selecting a platform suiting the budget, objectives, and technical knowledge helps.

Those having no coding experience can go for AI-powered website builders. Once started, they ask business owners some questions and make the web design based on their responses. 

Other CMS platforms and site builders with design templates can be used. These templates can be customized. Businesses that have online stores can use CMS platforms with eCommerce functions

Selecting a layout/template

After choosing the platform, a suitable layout/template for the website can be chosen. It should be mobile-friendly. 

Choosing a template has the elements and features the website needs like a website form. It can be then customized with the brand’s colors and fonts. The website can also be personalized for the following elements as per the brand:

• Forms.

• Header and Footer.

• Navigation bar.

Customizing pages

Once the layout is chosen, customizing the pages’ looks works. It doesn’t affect the web design cost much except if the pages are to become quite flashy. Websites having blogs can tweak their template’s appearance with the brand colors, fonts, and other key elements. The following pages should be aligned with the brand’s colors and be customized as per the objectives:

• Homepage.

• Category page.

• Portfolio page (Products/services page).

• The About Us and Contact Us pages.

• 404 pages.

Testing the website

When all is done and dusted, it is time to test the website for any bugs and shortcomings. Then the website can be fixed, and further certified for launch and maintenance.