15 Steps to Design a Flawless Website Layout

It is always a smart choice to know about the mistakes that people commonly make before you start doing something. While designing a website might sound like the toughest job ever, it does not necessarily have to be this way. With the right tips, guidance, and knowledge, you can design a perfect website layout in just 15 steps. Here, we have discussed the various aspects to inspire a smooth workflow.

1. Research on the goals and expectations

Before you start designing a website, you must know what the primary goals of the company are. Understand what they are expecting out of this website. Research the competition of their field and the audience they wish to target. 

2. Share your concepts as soon as possible

Once you have made the basic design of the website, share it with your client as soon as possible. You do not have to spend a lot of time on one concept. You and the client are not likely to agree on one idea on the first try itself. Be prepared to present him with the second or maybe even third design. Once you get the approval, you can start working on its details.

3. Build the layout first

Do not start rushing to your work. Spend time in thinking about the layout of the website, then its content, and lastly, its features. Make sure that the structure and arrangement of the website are in line with the company’s goals. Do not hesitate to communicate with your client to share your ideas. 

4. Make a rough sketch of the top-level framework

To get a better understanding of your layout structure, start with making a rough sketch of the top-level framework. This framework nestles the content, navigation bars, and sidebars, enabling the users to navigate through the site and perform actions. This will give you a clear image of what your design would look like after completion.

5. Make sure to add a grid before designing

To achieve the screen size requirements and create an engaging template, you might want to start by adding grids. Otherwise, the design might not come out to be as good as you thought. These grids will help to lay the layout structure of different sections of the website. 

6. Be careful with your typography and color theme

Try to be consistent with your typography; using more than two typefaces is not a great idea, although it varies from site to site. Use a readable font, and feel free to experiment with it.

While choosing the typefaces, think about the colors you are going to use for the background, text, or interface. Avoid using more than two sets of colors. Being consistent with the colors throughout the website will make it more appealing and interactive. Take a look at famous websites like Twitter and Facebook; you will get a better idea.

7. Keep it simple

The simpler, the better! Keep it in mind while designing your website. Do not add too much on one page. Add the necessary components only to make it easier for the users to navigate. Keeping it simple is not easy, good luck with that! Refine every element of the website to make it look excellent as a whole.

8. Communicate with your client more often

Keep your client invested in this entire process by communicating often. Introduce them to your ideas and progress of work. Either they will agree with it or point out a flaw. In both cases, you either get a heads up or save the time of double work!

9. Create a Prototype

You can create a prototype of the website to show your concepts to clients and get him on board with this. This is the best method to test how interactive your site looks or works. There are plenty of prototyping tools available to help you with this. The motion will help you see the dynamic effects of the website on the content.

10. Rethink the components

Some components exist on a website not because they are needed, but because no one really spent enough time to think about it. Rethink about the established elements, whether your site needs it or not. This will help you to develop your site into a more efficient one. 

11. Be creative

Challenge yourself to create something unique. Be creative and play with the content. You can bring some new changes that will make your website more appealing. However, you must pay attention to every detail as a finishing touch. Look out for the minor mistakes that can affect your website’s look and feel. 

12. Design it for the best case

As a designer, there are a lot of technical and content-related issues that you might face. For instance, if a user tries to open your website on a relatively small screen, they might barely be able to see any content. Design it for the best case, which is the most common screen size to display your content. But remember, the layout will work differently on different screen sizes and devices.

13. Be prepared for turning over your ideas

After investing so much time and hard work in creating that “one” website, you must always be open to turning over any of these ideas. What you might feel is the best of your work; your clients might not see it the same way. Be open to suggestions and prepared to present new ideas. Getting too attached to one is not a good idea. 

14. Communicate with your developers too

Developers are as creative as designers. However, in most cases, they come into the role only after the whole creative part is completed. But you can make an exception here. Be in touch with your developers and share your ideas/concepts with them. Who knows, you might end up getting an improvised idea.

15. Presentation is important

Even the best of the best ideas can be neglected if not presented properly. Make sure you put forward your masterpiece correctly and explain every small detail as if you are explaining them to a kid.

So these were the 15 steps to design a flawless website. Keep these in mind and get ready to create the ultimate design. Share your thoughts with us in the comment box!