I wish I knew when the design vs content argument started. I’d have given the people involved some head bashing.
Some think design should be placed over content. After all, your website has to be visually appealing if you want anyone to stick around.
But what’s the use of people sticking around if they don’t become customers or subscribe?
Then another group believe that content rules design. Your design can be ‘okay’, or below average, as long as your content is good.
I don’t want to think these people still exist.
My opinion?
Ignore either one at your peril.
You can’t afford to have a website that gives your visitors headache. Really, the aesthetics have to be there. But not loud.
Subtle and simple always works.
You also can’t afford to neglect content. You create for a reason. You have a message that drives you. And I think the people looking to work with you and those who want to get to know you more ought to know what that is.
You owe it to them. You need to show them what you can create, and how you do it. You need to let them know the benefits of your work. That’s what content is for.
So how do you balance out design and content?
Have an attractive website that clearly showcases your message. If your design distracts people from seeing what you really have to say, then you’re not getting any customers.
Because at the end of the day, the user has to see the part where you say, “Click here to work with me”. If your design is so distracting that he doesn’t see that call to action button, then you’re probably just playing a game of Hide and Seek.
I love whitespace. And that’s pretty evident on this site. And in my designs, I try to stick to two colours (according to the client’s logo and brand colours).
If the logo has about 4+ colours, most times, I offer to redesign the logo.
Simplicity and subtleness always works, even in design.
Some web designers may say I’m talking crap. But from a content marketing standpoint, this is what works.
Don’t overdo it.
So go over to your website. How do you feel when looking at it? Is your text readable? Are the fonts too small? Too ugly? Does it look like a circus? Do you think your visitors will see your most important messages when they land on your website?
Whatever your answers are, make sure nothing is done in excess.
Makes sense? Now that we’ve settled that (I think), we’ll go on to discover the four elements you must include on your website if you really want that traffic to convert. That’s in the next lesson.
Let me know if you have any questions.