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Yes, design does matter!

When you meet someone you hope to date, don’t you want to make a good first impression? You want to be in nice clothes, have your hair just right and be in the right place at the right time.

When you shop for books at the bookstore, doesn’t the nicely designed books attract your attention… let’s be honest, we do sometimes judge a book by it’s cover then read on for content?

Your website can ruin or build your credibility. Which would you prefer?
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It is easier to work with clients that value design in marketing their business. So, is it our job to persuade or educate clients who don’t have a budget for design?

Do you have any tips as far as creating your own website? I’m particularly interested in what software you use on your own sites to help avoid the cookie cutter impression. Great article.

::a

::bryan

That’s a great post highlighting some of the finer aspects. And to quote you: “What Is Design? Design is anything that communicates a visual message. Everything has an element of design.”

While that is unarguably correct, to me, Design also means “Aesthetics + Navigation”.

I mean, whether it’s a website or a printed page, it finally boils down to how easy it is on the Eye — and the Mind. While the eye might be enchanted with the graphics, is the mind following your message?

From what I know, several ad agencies have conducted extensive research regarding the movement of the eye on an ad. I’d imagine the same would hold true for a web page… in other words, will your design showcase what you want the visitor to see? If yes, your design rocks!

Thanks for the very interesting post.

I have a section on my portfolio that showcases before and after designs, and some of them are ENORMOUS differences. It’s all about that first impression.

As a consumer, I’m highly motivated or repelled by the design of a site I’m purchasing from.

Bad design = lack of trust and probably no purchase.

Good design = probable purchase and more confidence in the vendor.

Great article. I completely agree that design matters. It does play huge part in drawing customers and readers to a website, and to your business. Having a great design for anything is key, it work as a first impression, and a continuing impression. As the other people who have commented can attest redesigning their websites have helped improve hit counts, readers, and business.

As REECE stated it IS important to get it right the first time. However, this is incredibly hard to do. That is why it is important to continually design and make changes without confusing your audience. Redesigning is great, just don’t wipe the slate clean every time. There still is a need for consistency. The audience doesn’t want to come to a website (for this example) and have to get “reoriented” every time they visit.

Again, great article and I can’t wait to read more by you!

Thanks,
Blake