The art of simple web design

At PixelHaze, we are champions of the kiss (keep it simple, stupid) methodology. As designers we can often fall in the trap of trying to over-design work and this

Simple doesn't mean cheap

There is often a misconception that simple design means low budget or limited in application. This is very rarely the case. Minimalistic web design avoids the clutter generated by websites that try to achieve too many objectives. The user only sees the information that you deem appropriate and it is given more emphasis as nothing is distracting the user. 

Prioritise content, ruthlessly

Prioritisation of website content can be difficult when you have so much to shout about regarding your business, however the phrase 'less is more' certainly transfers. 

Make contact details readily available on all pages (as it appears as low priority on every page, the website footer is a great area to double-down on contact details) and ensure you have call to actions (e.g. “contact us” buttons, enquiry forms) at regular intervals. Squarespace allows you to add multiple contact buttons on any page.

Focus on your main selling points

The main selling points of your business should be on display and easily seen by everyone who visits the website. Having a simple website allows these ideals to be clear to your target audience. The minimalist web design style removes all the distractions so that the user is able to focus purely on the relevant content.

Improves the user experience

Not only can a simple layout make your website look far more professional, it also improves the navigation. In more busy websites users can spend a lot longer searching for relevant information. Having large call to actions which are clear and concise allows the user to instantly find what they're searching for rather than deterring them.

Faster loading times

Having a fast-loading website which can load faster can make the difference between a user staying and leaving a site. If a user is forced to wait a considerable amount of time for unnecessary images and information to load they will usually move onto another website which is far more responsive. Removing this irrelevant information means that your site can load almost instantly and get straight to the correct information with ease.