Does Your Company's Website Do Its Job? – An Overview of Web Design
Web design isn't the same as web development. Development involves coding the backend of your website, adding security, building in e-commerce capabilities, etc. These are discussed in more detail on our Web Development page.
You're here for web design. For the look-and-feel. The layout that will guide your customers’ eyes, the graphics & colors that communicate your company's expertise and history.
Today's websites aren't just online brochures anymore. Your website's design has several jobs in the eyes of your customers – and all at the same time, too.
The Value of Your Website Today
Brand Centerpiece.
Your website represents your company to millions every day. It establishes your identity to the world 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Selling Tool.
Sell directly through e-commerce tools, or sell indirectly by funneling leads from your website to your sales staff.
Support Assistant.
A well-designed website takes a lot of the burden off your staff. FAQs take care of those questions everybody asks over and over. Relevant content helps make sales easier.
Marketing Hub.
THE most cost-effective marketing tool available – a well-designed, persuasive website. List promotions, bring visitors in with SEO, and establish authority in your industry.
Customer Retention.
Draw visitors back with specials, newsletters, memberships, and Web-only exclusive information. Let your website do some of the customer service work.
With functions like this, it's amazing that some companies just want their site to "look nice." Web design isn't just about looking nice—it's about doing a job. And that takes the right tools.
What Goes Into the Business Websites of Today
Design is one part of a website. Modern websites typically include the following elements:
- Coding – HTML, ASP.NET, E-commerce Functionality
- Design
- Content – The text
- SEO – Titles, meta tags, layout & content configuration, links
- Domain Name
- Hosting
The Design itself has several components to it as well.
- Branding/Identity (typography, color scheme, visual language, proper logo usage)
- Usability
- Navigation
- Layout
- Graphics
A good web design firm considers all of these elements when it starts on a new project. Leaving any till later means the project could zigzag from contradictory client requests, costing money and wasting time.
For clarity's sake – "Usability" refers to guiding the visitor toward key areas of your site through design elements and its user interface. Making the site easy to navigate for them, while bringing their eyes to areas you want to bring the most traffic to (e.g., contacting you, buying products).
Read more about branding elements at our
Branding/Identity Creation page.
Advantages of Working with PlanetMagpie for Web Design
If you aren't asked about all of those elements by your web design firm, you may be missing a valuable part of what makes your website do its job. Come to PlanetMagpie W3 instead. The advantages of working with us include:
- 11 years as a web development firm in Silicon Valley
- Graphic designers and UI specialists with over 12 years of professional web experience
- ASP.NET-based coding, for fast loading times and reliable website security
- CMS-based design layouts to save on your budget
- Broad base of web development skills, from advanced Flash design to email marketing
- Hosting services available in our San Jose data center
- Client-centric design approach
PlanetMagpie W3 Clients
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Click over to our
Website Design Process
page to see how PlanetMagpie handles website design projects. Or call
408-341-8770 and ask for a no-obligation Web Design meeting.
