Category: Marketing | Posted date: 2020-04-20 08:32:09 | Posted by: Jesza
I’m a strong believer in preparing website content before initiating the graphic design and this applies to both websites and blogs.
I’m a strong believer in preparing website content before initiating the graphic design and this applies to both websites and blogs. Some will argue with me, but I’ll fight this battle and dig in because i do know content before website design is the right approach.
I believe:
Strong website design extends past colors, fonts, and layout boxes.
Strong design focuses on the user.
Website design should be crafted around the user, their needs, and the desired outcome of a website visit. It should be focused on the user’s challenges and therefore the website’s ability to resolve these issues.
It shouldn't be focused on coding trends and prepackaged templates.
I’ll receive emails from people discussing their website design requirements and many times these lists are going to be focusing on specific project criteria like infinite scroll, hamburger menus, hero images, video backgrounds, and motion.
Rarely do people approach a design firm and present data based on their visitors, the user’s needs, and therefore the ultimate goals of a website visit.
Website owners get trapped in design trends, their competitors’ websites, and what they believe is modern and current design elements. In doing so, they lose track of the particular website visitor
All too often people select a website template or blog theme and get caught up within the graphical presentation or bells and whistles it offers. It’s an emotional buy that supersedes the will to assist the particular website visitors.
Once they buy the stock theme, they force their content to fit within the template’s available content blocks. Or worse yet, they force a custom design to adhere to the same style and presentation of a top competitor’s website.
In most cases this results in disappointment and buyer’s remorse.
The reason this occurs is this process follows the path of purchase, design, development, and finally content. That path is within the wrong order. the method is going backwards and it leads to frustration.
Documenting your desired user flow, visitor paths, and call to actions are some things that's typically done after the graphic design is completed. Unfortunately that’s the incorrect approach because it forces you into matching content to the web site theme or design. It should be just the opposite.
Before you find yourself falling in love with a competitor website, coveting a stock WordPress template, or reaching out to a graphic designer, you need think through the goals and objectives of your website or blog.
You need to document your user personas, their individual challenges, your solution offering, and therefore the paths you’d like these visitors to require within the web site .
While graphic design in very important, it must take place at the right time within the project to really allow you to showcases the website, content, and offering within the best light possible.
One of my favorite quotes on this subject is:
“Content precedes design. Design in the absence of content is not design, it’s decoration.” – Jeffrey Zeldman
Messaging and content are the building blocks and foundation of the website. This means they should be carefully thought through and documented well before any colors, fonts, and layouts are considered.
The design elements should complement, highlight, and showcase the key messaging and most important content.
While i'm saying you ought to have content written before beginning design, I’m not saying that you simply need to have all of your content written. that might be a difficult task to accomplish for many website owners and businesses.
I encourage clients to focus on core website sections and pages. During the sales process I usually undergo their website and appearance for areas i feel would enjoy custom design templates. These will vary supported the client, industry, and target demographic
Here are some common areas that can benefit most from a content first strategy:
Sometimes I’ll suggest just a few custom design templates and other times I’ll suggest fifteen to twenty. It really depends on the complexity of the content and therefore the variations within the content flow and call to actions.
As we progress into a project with a client, we wish to have as much information as possible on core elements and the way these could be altered supported different areas of the web site .
Content elements that matter in a content before website design approach:
The more your graphic designer knows and has available, the more unique and targeted your design will become.
Not all situations will allow a content before website design approach. you've got to seek out balance and you've got to select and chose your battles.
If this approach goes to be difficult, I suggest starting with universal elements such as navigation, SEO, and call to actions. Then begin narrow down the focus by reviewing user personas and their visitors paths.
Focus on known elements and weave these into design by starting with the house page then allow the planning to build from his central hub. While moving through this process, stay focused on the visitor, what they have , and what action you ultimately want them to require .
The process can seem overwhelming, but like anything in life, you would like to interrupt it into chunks and evaluate the large list bit by bit.
If you're gearing up for a website redesign or launching a new site, we’d like to help. We’ll provide a blended approach of user intent, website design, and SEO.
But be prepared for questions and much of them. The more we know about you and your visitor, the more we will help achieve your marketing objectives and goals.