Essential Design Tips for Content Websites

By: Phonicia Palmer

The design of your content website plays a crucial role in shaping the overall user experience. A well-designed site can build trust, while poor design can erode it. Websites with better design are more likely to attract opt-ins, drive sales, and earn referrals. In short, design is a significant component of successful web marketing.

Here are some key design tips for content websites:

1. Optimize Your Ad Placement

While monetizing your site is important, overcrowding it with ads can hurt your design. Research on numerous websites shows that an excess of ads may slightly reduce your chances of ranking well compared to sites with fewer ads.

To maintain a user-friendly design, ensure your ads blend seamlessly with your content. They should be relevant and strategically placed to capture attention without overwhelming the visitor.

2. Limit Images to One or Two Per Page

High-quality, professional images can enhance the visual appeal of your site. However, too many graphics can make your pages look cluttered and unprofessional.

Aim to include one or two carefully selected images per page. If your content is particularly lengthy, you can add another image or two, but avoid placing them too close together.

Ensure that all photos are crisp and taken with a high-quality camera. They should be relevant to the content and color-corrected to make the colors and contrast pop.

3. Invest in a Stellar Header Graphic

The header graphic is one of the most critical elements of your website’s design. Since it appears at the top of every page, it significantly influences the overall user experience.

If you’re not a professional designer, consider hiring one to create your header graphic. A well-designed header should include only a few graphical and text elements. Both the text and graphics should be balanced, ensuring they complement rather than compete with each other.

4. Create a Harmonized Color Scheme

Your website will look more cohesive if you use a coordinated color scheme. Choose complementary colors or adjacent shades on the color wheel to create a visually pleasing design.

Avoid clashing colors or using a single color that stands out too much. The goal is not to draw attention to the design itself but to create an inviting backdrop that enhances the content.

By focusing on these key design elements, you can create a content website that not only looks great but also encourages visitors to stay longer and engage more deeply with your material.