web design on paperWeb design isn’t a trade that you can pick up and do the same way forever. The internet is constantly evolving in leaps and bounds spreading information and opening many job opportunities. In order to keep up with the online market it is imperative to stay up to date with everything on the web. Here are five web design tips to help you achieve your own success on the internet in 2017.

1. Keep it Simple

Too often do web designers get over excited about their new project and clutter up the page with all sorts of neat features and animations. While there is no problem with showing off your unique design talents there is an issue when your site visitor gets lost on a page or can’t find the information they are looking for. Simpler is better. For instance, avoid using useless side bars that clutter up the screen and take advantage of white space and hamburger menus. Sidebars are a fine addition if there are no navigation links at the top of the page but in general they are abused. White space can be used to draw the readers attention to where you want it to go. And hamburger menus are a space saver; they have integrated into online society so seamlessly that they are hardly noticed now.

2. Use Visual Hierarchy

Simply put, visual hierarchy is the pattern that our focus moves in: Top to bottom, left to right. Visual hierarchy is used to optimize any given page to appeal to the user. This is the reason the home button and logo are most commonly found in the top left of the page. The logo, company name, and brand is the most important information your site visitor could remember. This knowledge can help any designer choose how to organize their site.

3. Optimize for all Platforms

In 2017 mobile devices reign supreme. When everyone everywhere has access to your site at any given moment it is important to make sure that their visit is perfect. According to official Google statements, nearly 60% of Google search queries are from mobile devices. (This does not include tablets.) If you don’t optimize for mobile devices that is 60% of your visitors reporting a bad experience.

4. Test Your Web Design

The final and arguably most important tip is to always test your work. Whether it be the functionality of your site or optimizing a certain shade of blue, nailing down those final details can make all the difference to your site. It’s the difference between a simple job well done and that million dollar professional look. Often times the smallest parts of your website are the most noticeable. Buttons, for instance, are viewed frequently and are commonly the ugliest part of a website. Don’t forget to implement a color or opacity change on buttons.

Web design is a constantly changing industry and hopefully these tips will help you stay ahead of the curve. A clean and simple design can go a long way in today’s market as well as double checking all of your work. Don’t let your business fall victim to bad design and easy to fix flaws. Follow these four tips to start your path to a professional and profitable design choice.