10 Common Myths About

Website Design

In this post, we will talk about some of the most common web design myths and misconceptions. These are myths that you might have heard before or even thought were true at one point in time. Web design is constantly evolving as new trends emerge on a weekly basis so it's important to stay up-to-date with what designers, developers and digital marketing pros are doing.

If you're a web designer, you know that there are certain myths and misconceptions about the design process that just won't go away. These include things like "Flash websites always rank higher" or "User Interface Design is not important."

Well, we've got some news for you: these 13 myths are completely false! In this blog post, we will debunk these common web design myths once and for all.

MYTH: Once a website is launched, it’s a cakewalk from there...

It’s a myth that once you launch your site, the hard part is over. After all, what happens when Google penalizes your website, and it can no longer be found on search engines? Or if you simply want to change portions of your design after the initial rollout? These things happen more than we think — which is why websites are far from a cakewalk after launch! You need a partner, marketing agency or internal team who can update, optimize and develop your website month after month.

MYTH: You have to like your website...

Of course, you'd want to like the look of your website. It's natural. But ultimately, the goals of your business are more important than personal preference. And often those goals are better met by a website that's designed to lead customers on the right journey than one that looks super fancy.

Strategy, conversion and new business tactics come first. However, if part of your business is to look pristine, clean, organized and advanced, your website better match that vibe. You don't have to like your website, your customers do!

MYTH: You need a website designer who can do everything...

Designers are great for visuals, but they aren't able to handle the rest of your project. If you're going to get big things done right (such as developing comprehensive content), then it's best that you hire someone else for those tasks — preferably one with experience in web development CSS, HTML, Java, etc. Programming is not design and design is not programming, separate the roles to get the best possible result.

MYTH: Minimalism is king...

It's a trend and seems like "king" for now. With that said, less clutter and more clarity is not a trend, it's a principle for successful marketing. Since the cluttered sites of the early internet, we've been seeing increasing strides towards minimalism. Just look at Apple - their site is sleek, minimal, and free of distraction. But before you jump on the bandwagon, think about your customer. If they're seeking a lot of information in one place or are coming from another site that's more complex, then minimalism may not be for them.

MYTH: The best web designers need to have an eye towards trends...

Trends come and go faster than ever these days. A couple of years ago everyone started using flat design, flat colors, minimal navigation, and sparse text. Today we see gradients, bright colours, offset layouts. Trends change and so should your website, all while keeping your brand in mind at all times.

But...

The user experience plays an important role in the success or failure of your website. Website behavior can be defined as: how users interact with the site to achieve their goals. A good UI ensures that you have a happy audience who return again and again for content they are looking for. This is not a result of following trends, this is a result of a website built for conversion NOT for trends!

MYTH: You don’t need social media buttons...

It is not necessary for every website to have social media buttons. However, if you are on a business site and your target audience consists of people who use different social networks (which is almost everyone!) then it would be wise to include at least some of these buttons so that people know that the business is active and relevant on social sites. It's also important to show search engines that you are connected to social sites.

It is highly suggested that you move the social links to the footer of your website or on the contact us page. Here is why; if you add the social links to the top of the page, people will click on them and leave your website. We don't want that.

MYTH: Website updates are not necessary...

WHAT? I am not sure why we are wasting time debunking this...  The mistake that most people make while developing a site is not focusing on the recent trends. It is necessary that you keep an eye on the latest updates to make your website look up-to-date.

Customers want to know that you are relevant and on top of technology. Your website can quickly turn away a searching customer if you are not up-to-date.