Almost as if in a trance, you click that Buy Now button to become the proud owner of 12 shiny, loud buttons that will soon grace your floor. And eventually, the back of a dusty closet. (I wonder how much that cost, you think, slowly coming out of your daze…)

You, my friend, have been landing page-d.

Landing pages are often used by especially astute marketers to plunk you on after you’ve clicked on an engaging ad, social media post, or blog link.

Their purpose? To tell you all about the thing you’ve shown interest in the hopes you’ll purchase it — or, to convince you to share your information so they can follow up with more information about why you can’t live without it.

When used well, a quality landing page can increase your website conversions.

Nearly everyone from beginner website owners to full-on website developers can set up effective landing pages that woo visitors and boost revenue.

However, optimizing one for maximum effect can be challenging, especially since you only have the space of a single page to work with.

That’s why the key to a strong landing page is to keep it focused, specific, and as intriguing as possible. If you include the right information at the right moments, you can win leads with an effective call to action (CTA) at the end.

So, no matter where you fall on the spectrum of marketing and website savviness, keep reading! Because in this step-by-step guide to landing pages, we’ll cover it all:

• The ins and outs of landing pages.
• Why you should care about landing pages.
• The basics of landing page design.
• Exactly how to create a landing page in WordPress.

What Are Landing Pages?

When it comes to marketing, sometimes less really is more.

Nothing proves this aphorism quite like landing pages.

A landing page is basically a one-page website, created specifically to achieve a single goal. With its focus on getting visitors to do just one thing, landing pages are powerful tools for boosting conversion rates.

A landing page is effectively the whole website conversion funnel that’s been compressed into a single page.

Through this page alone, you’ll take the user on a linear journey toward completing a particular action. That action could be:

• Sharing an email address.
• Completing a form.
• Signing up for a free trial.
• Requesting a call.
• Answering a survey.
• Making a download (coupon, ebook, etc.)

Your goal for a landing page? That could be anything, such as:

• Selling a specific product or service.
• Encouraging sign-ups for your email list.
• Gathering personal information to create more customized marketing.

Every landing page must have an explicit goal as well as a few basic elements. Stay tuned, because we’ll explore exactly how you should design your page.

Related: 30 Excellent Product Landing Pages Guaranteed To Inspire You

Why Invest Time In A Landing Page?

First, landing pages are better than any other sign-up form when it comes to collecting customer information — information that’s critical to nurturing leads, converting visitors into leads, and building the relationships that are key to retention.

In addition, landing pages are also one of the best ways to match your marketing efforts to the intent of your audience. This means less time wasted shouting into the void and more time spent on effective campaigns. Why? Because you can promote landing pages with different messaging via the specific platform that works for you.

For example, if you’re selling something expensive with a long sales cycle, you may use a more long-term marketing method, such as SEO, to get your landing page in front of the right readers. However, if you have a landing page that’s all about quick sales, it’s easy to pivot the messaging and set up a pay-per-click advertising campaign that’ll pay off when it comes to quick conversions.

Finally, landing pages are easily measurable and highly changeable. Instead of tracking visitor data from across your whole website and trying to figure out what it all means, you can simply look at the performance metrics on a single landing page for insights.

Not enough visitors making it to the bottom of the page? Not getting the engagement you expected on your CTA? If that’s the case, it’s time to A/B test. In other words, tweak one thing at a time and measure and monitor anew to see if it’s any better. In time, you’ll eventually be able to optimize your way to a high-converting landing page incrementally.

The 5 Key Elements Of Effective Landing Pages

First off, landing pages ought to be unique. Your ideal landing page content and structure all depend on its purpose!

For example, a page intended to sell a product will be focused entirely on that product. It will probably include images, a description of the product’s key features, and reviews. Most importantly, it will feature an action for the user to complete, which in this case would be making a purchase.

Lead-generating landing pages will look different. The fundamentals work the same as if you were selling a product, but instead, you’re selling the value visitors should expect to receive if they share their information with you. There will likely be lots of benefits messaging, testimonials, and perhaps even an offer such as a free trial or download in exchange for their information.

All that said, at a minimum, all of the following elements should be considered when building your very first landing page:

1. Clear Purpose

We’ve talked about this several times (hey, it’s important!) — your landing page needs to be really focused.

Everything you add to the page should work toward the goal you’ve set for it. If you’re trying to generate leads, the entire page should be devoted to information to convince a user to share their content information with you, or even reach out on their own.

Whatever the purpose, avoid any filler content, extraneous links, and other distractions that can divert attention away from it.

2. Highlighted Customer Benefits

The benefits to the user must be made clear throughout your landing page.

A visitor should be able to get all the information they need from the landing page, so they don’t have to look elsewhere on your site to understand something. This is key to keeping them engaged for long enough to convert them.

Use your own words to explain the benefits to the customer, as well as customer testimonials that provide additional social proof.

3. Logical Narrative And Structure

Consider the order in which you present content from the top of the page to the bottom. If you’ve ever heard of putting some information “above the fold” — this is where that comes into play. Put the most important elements where a visitor will see them without having to read below the newspaper fold. Or, in modern speak, before they scroll at all.

Think of the landing page as a journey you’re taking the user on. Be sure the narrative of the page makes sense, that each part follows logically from the last, and that it all builds up toward your ultimate goal: an easy-to-take action.

4. An Easy-To-Take Action

Your landing page should always end with a strong call to action.

The CTA is the ultimate goal of a landing page. By the time they’ve reached your CTA, visitors should have all the information they need, and be ready to take action.

Be sure to customize the CTA based on the audience and purpose of the page. For example, a CTA for expensive B2B software may be to sign up for a trial, but in the retail space, it may be all about the Buy Now button.

5. Distribution Strategy

With a beautiful, custom landing page fleshed out, there’s one last pivotal element to making sure it’s a success. You have to get it out there!

And you’ll be in good company. A whopping 97% of marketers have a promotion plan for their landing pages. The question is, how do they go about driving traffic?

Here are their top strategies:

• 51.5% use social media.
• 43.6% deploy email newsletters.
• 35.6% rely on search engine optimization.
• 32.7% promote via paid advertising.
• 28.7% link to landing pages from blog posts.
• 20.8% use website CTAs and banner ads.
• 17.8% rely on partner/affiliate marketing.
• 13.9% promote on YouTube.
• 7.9% deploy a link-building-based strategy.
• 5.9% use a podcast to promote landing pages.

How To Build Your First WordPress Landing Page (5 Steps)

From laying the groundwork to putting the right tools and templates in place to making those critical finishing touches, here’s exactly how to go from zero to your first-ever landing page in just a handful of steps.

1. Plan Your Page

You don’t have to get all fancy with a wireframing tool (though you can). At this stage, it’s important to know your landing page’s goal, have most of the content ready, and know how it will flow.

For this walkthrough, our goal for our landing page will be to generate leads, so the main focus will be on encouraging users to provide their contact information in some way. We don’t have to get too specific on the actual look and features at this point since we’ll be working from a template.

With that in mind, let’s get to the good stuff!

Learn more about wireframing: The Complete Guide To Creating Website Wireframes

2. Choose The Right Tools To Create Your Landing Page

Throughout this guide, we’ll be using WordPress.org, which is different from WordPress.com. That’s important to know because each has its own plugin and theme directories, and the features and functionality in each may look a bit different.

That said, there are several ways you can use WordPress to create a lead-generating landing page. Some are more manual, but we’ll make things simpler by focusing on using the already-created themes and plugins we mentioned.

There are plenty of WordPress landing page-focused plugins. For example, Elementor is a hugely popular page-building plugin that enables you to create landing pages for free, and includes various templates to get you started. There’s also the Thrive Suite of (paid) plugins, which includes the Thrive Architect plugin and more for building landing pages as well as a WordPress website that all work together seamlessly.

For tons more, visit the WordPress plugin directory and search for “landing page” to see all the offerings for creating and optimizing landing pages, from big names like ConvertKit to smaller creators like Fatcat Apps.

You’ll also need to choose a WordPress theme that can be used to construct a landing page. Luckily, today, most modern and updated themes will enable you to do so. If not with built-in features, then by working alongside landing page plugins.

Finally, you can actually build a stand-alone landing page website using any one of the hundreds of landing page themes in the WordPress theme directory.

For this walkthrough, we’ve chosen to work with the OceanWP WordPress theme.

This is because OceanWP is a free, versatile WordPress theme that contains multiple templates that can be used to create lead-generating landing pages. It can also be integrated with the above landing page builder plugins for increased functionality. As you’ll see, using this theme will enable you to create and configure the basics of your first landing page quickly, giving you a great foundation for expanding it with your own content.

Now, let’s move on to practical matters and dive into one of the most accessible approaches to building a landing page in WordPress.

3. Install Your Landing Page Theme

Need to upgrade to a modern theme to take advantage of all the newest landing page-building features? Then let’s get to downloading and installing your new theme.

Here’s how to do that with OceanWP:

What we’d recommend doing is going into your WordPress Dashboard, finding Appearance in the left sidebar, and clicking on it to locate Themes.

At the top of the Themes page, use the Add New Theme button and search for “OceanWP.”

Hover over it to find and click on the Install button. Wait a moment, then press the Activate button once it appears.

Once the page refreshes, you should see a notification at the top of the Themes page asking you to install and activate Ocean Extra. Ocean Extra is a plugin related to OceanWP that includes additional functionality.

Now, it’s time to set up a template for your landing page.

Related: How To Install A WordPress Theme (Tutorial)

4. Import A Landing Page Template

After the previous step, you should have been redirected to OceanWP inside your WordPress instance. If not, just go back to your Dashboard and look for it in your left-hand sidebar.

Now it’s time to install a landing page template, which they call “Demos.”

Click OceanWP > Install Demos in the sidebar:

Scroll down in the OceanWP Panel until you start to see the Demo options. Click on One Page to see the templates that are best for, well, one-page presentations. Choose whichever you like, but we’ll be using the Coach template for our example.

Hit Import on the Coach template, and follow the instructions to add the plugins and add-ons that will make your landing page match the demo. (FYI, a purchase is required for Ocean Sticky Header.)

After going to the next step, you can choose what sample data you want to import. This will enable you to edit the existing sample content, rather than creating everything from scratch. Keep in mind this could override any content you already have in this WordPress instance.

We’ll leave all the boxes checked, and finally, we’re ready to install the demo!

Once this process is done, the template will be installed and activated on your WordPress site. And now, it’s time to customize!

Additional reading: Decoding WordPress: Custom Templates And Template Parts

5. Customize Your Landing Page

It’s now time to apply what you’ve learned throughout this article to customize your lead-generating landing page.

We’ll be using the Elementor plugin we installed earlier for this purpose, as it’s recommended by the OceanWP theme.

To start managing your landing page, navigate to Dashboard > Templates > Saved Templates.

Select coach-home then Edit with Elementor. Now you should be looking at the intuitive Elementor page builder, where you can make changes directly to your landing page.

At the moment, the structure of the page is largely in place. You can see how this template uses many of the concepts we discussed earlier. It opens with an attention-grabbing headline and introduces the CTA right away, then dives into well-designed sections that outline everything visitors need to know from benefits to package deals to testimonials.

Of course, you’ll want to customize the visuals, text, and even some elements of the layout of this page. In the left sidebar, you’ll see Elements that can be added to the page. Any of these can be moved and deleted when you click on them.

Want a contact form? Select WPForms in the sidebar and watch it appear. It’s ready to be customized right on the page!

As you click around, you’ll also see the left sidebar update to show what can be edited in the widget you’ve clicked on.

For example, click the Make An Appointment button to change the text, the link it connects to, how it looks (under Style), and even the spacing and other effects (in the Advanced menu).

These are just a few very basic examples of how you can edit this template to suit your own needs and build a well-designed landing page. You can easily spend hours working on this if you like — have fun with it!

When you’re done, at least for the time being, at the bottom of the screen you’ll see options for checking your edits on different screen sizes, reverting to a previous version, saving your changes as a draft, or publishing them live on the internet with the Update button. After each update, we recommend visiting your live page to make sure everything is performing how you wanted.

It’s easy to get carried away here, so when you’re tweaking your landing page, don’t forget the key elements we outlined earlier. Make sure that your page’s goal and purpose are clear, that you always make the benefits to the user obvious, and that the page follows a natural structure and includes plenty of opportunities to plug your CTA.

Need Help Landing More Leads?

Now that you know what goes into making a landing page, why you should bother with it, and have a robust template to customize, you should be well on your way to creating lovely, lead-generating landing pages in no time!

Unless that pesky little time thing is still standing in your way, that is.

Many company owners and website managers need to focus so intently on the immediate income-generating aspects of business that they seldom have time to sit down and build the marketing that paves the way for the future of the business.

If you simply don’t have the time to create important marketing materials, such as landing pages for your website, we know who does. (Hint: it’s us!)

In fact, at DreamHost, we’ve created a whole department to help with exactly that.

From marketing to website design, development, and even management, our pro services providers know exactly how to match up your desires, their expertise, and DreamHost’s robust hosting packages to create wildly effective online experiences.

What do you say we partner up to land you more landing page leads?

WordPress-Optimized Hosting to Power Your Purpose

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Choose Your Plan

The post How To Build Lead-Generating WordPress Landing Pages appeared first on Website Guides, Tips & Knowledge.

Selecting your site’s color scheme might seem like one of the smaller decisions. It’s just the finishing touch, right?

Well, actually, no. Website color schemes are important in conversions, brand identity, and visitors’ feelings about your site.

In this guide, we’ll explore the freshest color schemes on the planet and learn why they work. Let’s get started!

What Exactly Is A Website Color Scheme?

Every dash of color you can find on your website is part of the overall color scheme or color palette. That includes every link, graphic, icon, button, and variety of text. It even includes the logo of your site.

When designing your website, it’s important to consider how these colors fit together. You can do this by planning out a color scheme from scratch or adapting the default color scheme of your chosen template.

Why The Color Scheme Of Your Website Matters

A well-crafted color scheme will make your site visually appealing to visitors. But that’s not all. Colors can help to guide visitors through the website, create a specific vibe, and support your branding.

Here’s a closer look at the real-world impact of your color scheme:

It Helps To Define Your Online Brand

Visitors to your site are more likely to purchase or subscribe to your newsletter if your site seems professional. It’s a matter of trust and credibility.

Color has a part to play here. Playful primary colors would work well on a nursery school website. Meanwhile, a kaleidoscope look will have you laughed out of court for a legal services firm.

The color scheme of your website should also play nicely with the rest of your brand. We would recommend avoiding colors that clash with your logo!

It Can Improve Usability

On a more practical note, your choice of color scheme can make it easier (or harder) for visitors to use your website.

Imagine you created a site with a blue background and purple text. Visitors would find reading your blog posts and product descriptions almost impossible. In this example, changing to a color palette with better contrast would massively improve the overall user experience.

Colors can help visitors to navigate, as well. For instance, you can use brighter shades to highlight certain parts of your site, such as links.

It Can Increase Conversions

Speaking of important elements, here’s a fact that might surprise you: the color of buttons on your site affects how many people click them.

Obviously, brighter colors tend to stand out more. And it turns out that certain hues have a psychological effect.

One study of 2,000 visits found that a red CTA (call-to-action) button attracted 20% more clicks than the same button in green. In the context of running a business, that is a pretty massive jump.

We will look deeper into the psychology of color (yes, that’s a thing) a bit later.

40 Beautiful Website Color Schemes To Try

Professional designers often create the color scheme for big projects for each website from scratch, but this isn’t always necessary.

If you’re new to design or looking for inspiration, we recommend choosing a tried-and-tested color combination as a starting point. You can always adjust it later.

To point you in the right direction, we have curated some of the best color schemes on the planet.

Classic And Professional Color Schemes

Let’s start with the basics. You can’t really go wrong with these timeless color schemes:

1. White, Black, And Gray (The All-Time Classic)

This simple combination might not win any awards for creativity, but it comes with a guarantee of readability and professional polish. Adding gray to the monotone look gives you more freedom in design. Best used on professional sites and personal blogs.

2. Navy And Gold (Sophisticated Authority)

Gold highlights sparkle on a cool navy blue background in this color combination. It’s a palette that engenders authority with a touch of luxury. Use it for finance and premium e-commerce.

3. Monochromatic Blue With White (Calm And Classy)

Using lighter and darker versions of the same blue creates a harmonious palette that radiates calming energy. Adding a white background helps to maintain strong usability. It would work well for health and wellness sites and water-related brands.

4. White And Blue-Gray (A Twist On Minimalism)

Even though we’re back to two colors, this scheme provides more interest than straight black and white. The slightly reduced contrast and cool hues create a relaxed yet polished user experience suited to spas and hotels.

5. Forest Green And Cream (Elegant And Organic)

Forest green adds a natural feel to designs and works well as a background for cream-colored content. This color scheme has an organic feel but is still elegant enough for lifestyle websites and sustainable living blogs.

Modern And Bold Color Schemes

While the classics never age, new ideas are worth exploring. If you want to embrace cutting-edge design and make a statement with your site, these attention-grabbing color schemes are worth exploring:

6. Coral And Teal (An Eye-Catching Duo)

The vibrant pink of coral and the blue-green tones of teal combine to make an eye-catching combination. It can work well for brands in the design space and other sites devoted to creativity.

7. Yellow, Black, And White (High Contrast, High Impact)

This high-viz color scheme injects life into your website while maintaining some white space for solid usability. It’s a favorite with tech startups and manufacturers of energy drinks and sports equipment.

8. Fuchsia Fading Into Purple (For Trend Setters)

Much like a creative haircut, a color palette that extends from fuchsia through to deep purple is sure to turn heads. Consider using this scheme if you’re trying to attract a younger, fashion-conscious audience.

9. Orange Fading Into Yellow (Sunset Vibes)

This attractive selection of warm hues is vibrant enough to hold the attention yet somehow quite calming. It suits the younger target market and works well for a wide range of brands — from sleep apps to beach bars.

10. Neon Accents (Make It Pop!)

If you’re looking for something a little more edgy, try adding hints of neon green or pink in a white and black design. It creates a futuristic, night-time look that would suit video games and entertainment venues.

Earthy And Natural Color Schemes

While colors like teal and fuchsia grab the attention, they can seem artificial — like lime green soda. If you’re trying to promote an organic or natural brand, these earthy color schemes might be a better fit:

11. Brown, Beige, And Forest Green (Woodland Tones)

Mimicking the hues of an evergreen forest, this color combo instantly transports your visitors to a shady woodland valley. You can use dark green or brown as the background color; choose this scheme for eco-friendly, organic products and gardening blogs.

12. Terracotta, Sand, And Sky Blue: (Warm Southwestern Vibe)

This collection of colors takes visitors to a warmer, drier environment. The earthy tones provide an excellent backdrop for handmade products or warm negative space around the content on travel blogs.

13. Sage Green, White, And Brown (Calm And Grounding)

This color palette is very pure and elemental, making it well-suited to the wellness and mindfulness space. The green color would also sync nicely with houseplants or all-natural skincare.

14. Muted Green And Tan (Organic Yet Sophisticated)

While this color scheme definitely has an organic vibe, it’s not quite “made from the earth.” Muted green and tan appear more sophisticated, like something you would expect to see on a home décor magazine site or slow-living blog.

15. Monochromatic Coffee With White (The Independent Café)

If you love those earthy tones, try playing with coffee-based colors. This color combo is obviously perfect for cafés. You could also use it to promote chocolates, baking, and leather goods.

Pastel And Playful Color Schemes

Light, breezy color schemes are a common choice in the lifestyle and home décor space. If you’re building a site in this niche, here are some color palettes to try:

16. Mint Green, Blush Pink, And Cream (Soft And Inviting)

This is a very common color combination in modern home décor, and it’s now appearing online. Blush pink adds softness, while mint green seems lush. Use them together with cream on a lifestyle blog or bakery business website.

17. Lilac, Light Yellow, And Gray (Cheerful Spring Colors)

This selection of colors is sure to remind visitors of vibrant spring blooms. At the same time, the lilac provides a sense of calm. You could use this color scheme for blogs on creative hobbies or parenting.

18. Pastel Rainbow (Lighthearted And Playful)

Combining multiple subtle hues, this color combination gives your website a playful, dreamy vibe. It works nicely for sites aimed at younger kids and other brands that want to evoke that carefree feeling.

19. Peach And Turquoise (Vintage-Inspired Fun)

Faded festival T-shirts, 1970s furniture, and hippy album covers — that’s the style you get with peach and turquoise. It’s a relaxed mix that can work well for summery fashion websites and music blogs.

20. Red And Yellow (Pure Fun)

You know when the paint starts flying in kindergarten? You can get that same kind of energy from combining strong red and yellow on your website. This one is definitely for the kids!

Dark And Dramatic Color Schemes

Of course, not everyone likes sunshine and rainbows. If you’re more of a dark and brooding type, these color schemes will better suit your style:

21. Deep Purple And Gold (True Opulence)

You can take the luxurious navy and gold color scheme to the next level by switching royal blue for dark purple. This creates an almost regal look, providing the perfect background for high-end e-commerce and exclusive services.

22. Black And Red (Pure Power)

These two very strong colors can be combined to powerful effect. Black provides the background, while hints of red create eye-catching highlights. Use this scheme if you want your website to feel edgy.

23. Dark Gray, Black, And Neon Accent (Modern Tech)

Drawing on Blade Runner influences, the combination of dark gray, black, and streaks of neon feels sleek and modern. It comes with the implication of futuristic technology, making it well-suited to tech-focused business sites and gaming blogs.

24. Dark Teal And Gold (Exotic Elegance)

You often see the gold leaf and turquoise pairing often in modern jewelry. Using the same colors on your site can introduce exotic elegance; use it for your lifestyle blog or handmade brand.

25. Dark Blue, Beige, And Coral Red (Sleek Yet Vibrant)

Switching out black for deep blue makes your site a little less brooding while maintaining a sleek feel. Coral red provides a nice color contrast for buttons and links. Try this scheme if you’re selling professional services or grooming products.

Fresh And Vibrant Color Schemes

Vibrant color doesn’t have to be child-like. These fresh color schemes should boost your site with a hint of warm midday breeze and a squeeze of zesty lemon:

26. Mustard Yellow, Teal, And White (Upbeat Mood)

Summery yellow and cooling teal work together like chili and sour cream — it’s the perfect match. This cheerful palette would look great on your personal blog. It would also work nicely for creative brands.

27. Aqua, Coral, And Navy (Tropical Cocktail)

If you want your visitors to feel like they’re sipping on a piña colada, this trio of tropical colors should fit the bill. It’s often used by travel bloggers and outdoor brands, but it can bring the sunshine to any site.

28. Turquoise, Magenta, And Gold (Bold Color Contrast)

The contrast between these three strong colors doesn’t suit every project, but it can make your site visually distinctive. Consider using it within your art portfolio website, or for promoting live events online.

29. Burnt Orange, Olive Green, And Cream (Cozy Fall Look)

Like falling leaves, these autumnal colors conjure up the feeling of sipping hot cocoa by an open fire. It’s a cozy vibe that will invite readers into your food blog or have them shopping for home décor in your online store.

30. Bright Yellow And Blue (Instant Impact)

If you’re aiming for maximum impact, you could try pairing together these primary colors. The contrast is intense, but it feels fresh — like blue sea and hot sand. Use it for any project where you’re promoting a new way of doing things.

Soft And Sophisticated Color Schemes

You don’t always have to use powerful colors to catch the attention of your audience. These beautiful color schemes combine subtle colors to great effect:

31. Lavender, Blush Pink, And Light Gray (Delicate Femininity)

This color scheme combines delicate floral notes to turn your website into one big bouquet. The light gray background also makes a great backdrop for photos. Use this scheme for wedding services, planning and photography, or for your cosmetics brand.

32. Dusty Rose, Pale Blue, And Cream (Soothing Tones)

Rather than contrasting, the colors in this palette blend together. It produces a soothing, delicate look that would be great for baby products, mindfulness coaching, and wedding dressmakers.

33. Beige, Tan, And Soft Teal (Understated Sophistication)

Another appearance for teal? Yes, because it’s awesome. Pairing it with neutral colors like beige and tan creates a sophisticated look that perfectly suits premium cosmetics, interior design, and fashion.

34. Mauve, Cream, And Gold (Refined Luxury)

Everything about this color scheme feels luxurious. It’s the palette you would expect to see on the packaging of high-end moisturizer. You can use it for the same purpose — pretty much any premium lifestyle brand.

35. Pastel Pink And Navy Blue (Subtle Strength)

Although this color scheme is still relatively muted, using dark blue as a background or accent color helps to inject some power. It best promotes strong femininity, such as for fragrance and cosmetics brands.

Unique And Eye-Catching Color Schemes

Sometimes, going with the grain means blending in. If you want your website to stand out from the crowd, try exploring these unique color schemes:

36. Electric Blue, Hot Pink, And Black (Rebellious Energy)

This zingy, super-bright color scheme pumps your website design full of energy. It’s also quite lighthearted, making it perfect for quirky café sites, music blogs, and indie fashion shops.

37. Lime Green, Purple, And Black (Unexpected Contrast)

Purple and green in the same design? Controversial. But also, very engaging. This unusual color combo hints at an alternative approach — great for showing off technical innovation or cutting-edge gaming products.

38. Yellow, Brown, And Purple (Comic Strip Style)

This might look like an unlikely match on paper, but it actually works. The end result looks a bit like a comic book, with all the associated visual punch. Consider using this color scheme for a creative portfolio.

39. Vermilion, Russian Green, And Black (3D Movies)

With a black background and contrasting green and red, this color scheme reminds us of old-school 3D movie glasses. It’s a surprisingly appealing palette, with enough polish for promoting professional services and events.

40. Mountain Green, Purple, And Burgundy (Contemporary Apps)

Finishing up our roundup, this color scheme offers an interesting mix of hues. There’s significant color contrast here, but each part fits together nicely. It’s perfect for showing off your brand-new app or online service.

How To Choose Your Website Color Scheme

Taking inspiration from proven color schemes is a smart move. It gives you an idea of what is likely to work. Plus, you can use an existing palette as the basis for your design.

That said, we wouldn’t recommend grabbing a template straight off the shelf. Why? Because every brand is different. If you want your website to have a unique identity, it needs custom colors.

Creating the color scheme for your website starts with selecting a base color. This provides the primary theme for your design. You then build your color scheme by selecting other colors that work well with the base color.

And how do you choose a base color? By studying a little psychology.

Picking Your Base Color With Psychology

For as long as we have been creating art and building civilizations, humankind has assigned symbolic meanings to colors and explored how our brains perceive them.

The ancient Egyptians mixed mineral-based pigments to infuse their art with color-based meanings. The 19th-century German poet and statesman Goethe, conducted a philosophical exploration of the color wheel, opening the door for enduring scientific color studies in the emerging field of Western psychology.

Even today, color plays an important role in how we perceive the world. Research indicates that color alone can enhance brand recognition by up to 80%.

The way people react to any given color depends partly on their age, gender, and cultural upbringing.

Consider the way purple is perceived around the world. While most people in Western countries associate purple with luxury and wealth, this color represents mourning and sorrow in India and Thailand.

Similarly, the yellow in the McDonald’s logo is associated with happiness virtually worldwide. But the company adapts its color scheme to fit the cultural preferences of customers in different nations.

It’s not worth agonizing over whether your blog should be accented with teal or lilac. But do keep in mind how your target audience may perceive those color choices.

For instance, blues and greens are widely accepted as safe choices, while reds and oranges can evoke more emotion. Younger folks tend to prefer brighter colors, but people’s preferred palettes tend to become more muted with age.

Understanding Color Theory

Once you’ve chosen a dominant color that captures the character of your website, it’s time to zero in on the secondary color to round out your scheme. Here are the options laid out on the color wheel:

• Monochromatic color schemes are based around a single color, with different variants of light and saturation. While monochromatic schemes are considered easiest on the eyes, they run the risk of being bland. A well-placed splash of complementary yellow or an analogous purple can accomplish a lot on a page awash with blue tones.
• Analogous colors are next to each other on the color wheel, and they generally create combinations that are visually appealing. Analogous color schemes are often found in nature, and they typically have a harmonious effect.
• Complementary colors appear opposite each other on the color wheel, creating high contrast, vibrant, attention-grabbing schemes when used together. Use them sparingly to emphasize details you want to stand out (cough *call-to-action buttons* cough).
• Triadic color schemes use colors that are spaced evenly apart on a color wheel, like the points of a triangle. Purple, green, and orange is a classic example of a triad scheme — which is best applied when one color dominates and the other two are used as bold feature colors.

Choosing color schemes can feel overwhelming, especially when delving into more complex combinations like split-complementary and tetradic schemes. But just remember — some of the most visually pleasing and effective color schemes keep it really simple.

Color Scheme FAQs

If you’re still keen to learn more about color schemes, check out these frequently asked questions:

What are the 7 major color schemes?

The seven major color schemes include the four we mentioned earlier: monochromatic, analogous, complementary, and triadic.

The lineup also covers:

• Split Complementary — One base color matched with two colors on either side of the complementary choice on the color wheel.
• Square — Four colors that are evenly spaced around the color wheel.
• Rectangle or Tetradic — A base color, along with three more colors placed at 60 degrees, 180 degrees, and 240 degrees on the wheel.

Which color catches the eye first?

Studies into human behavior suggest that red is the clear winner here. It’s the color associated with blood, love, anger, danger, and all things passionate. Given these connections, we just can’t ignore a little crimson.

What is the 60-30-10 color rule?

It’s like a rule of thumb for creating color schemes. The framework is based on percentages, where:

• 60% of your design should be the primary color.
• 30% should be the secondary color.
• 10% is devoted to the accent color.

It’s a useful starting point. Just remember that rules were made to be broken…

What is the best color scheme for readability?

Scientific research over a long period has established that black text on a white background is the optimum color scheme for readability. But you can definitely deviate from this combination and still maintain clear text. The key is to maintain a good contrast between the background and your content.

Upgrade Your Website Today

Creating a website color scheme isn’t just about picking out your favorite shades. As we have discovered, top brands use color psychology and color theory to find the perfect combination.

If you’re planning to build a new site or revamp your online presence, try using the same principles when you pick your colors. Think about:

• What mood you want to set.
• How colors fit together.
• And how your color scheme will affect usability.

Break it down into these small chunks, and the choice won’t seem so overwhelming.

Once you decide on your color scheme, make sure to test it on your website. To configure your perfect color scheme in WordPress, try using our WP Website Builder. It’s super easy to use, and it works on all our hosting plans.

(Don’t fancy doing it yourself? Our professional web design team is always on standby!)

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The post 40 Website Color Schemes So Good, You’ll Want To Steal Them appeared first on Website Guides, Tips & Knowledge.

Finding the right design for your website can feel like a magical journey from vision to reality, shaping and refining ideas until they shine. In reality, there are certain principles of modern web design that, when applied, significantly enhance the chance that your site will not just succeed but will transform into digital gold.

Here’s where it gets complicated though: Modern website design is more than just visual elements and aesthetics. Your site’s design affects your search engine optimization (SEO), how your audience perceives your brand, and how visitors behave when they land on the page. It’s not really overstating it to say your site’s design and layout can impact your entire online presence.

So whether you’re starting from scratch or redesigning an existing site, you’ve come to the right place. Read on as we explore some of the basic elements of web design, from modern design trends to ways non-designers can get involved in the design process. Through it all, we’ll learn more about how a well-designed website can be a golden ticket for your online business.

First, Take Care Of The Tech Stuff (Or Have Your Host Do It For You)

You thought effective website design was all about choosing the right color palette and imagery, right? Well, you’re not wrong, per se. We’re just taking a more comprehensive look at using design to create a positive user experience for your site’s visitors.

Here are a few of the technical issues you’ll want to make sure you address before moving on to the prettier parts of your website design:

• Site loading time: No matter your audience, internet consumers are a somewhat impatient bunch. 47 percent expect a site to load in two seconds or less, while 40 percent abandon a site entirely if it takes more than three seconds to load. Faster site loading speeds, on the other hand, reduce your bounce rates (the number of visitors who click away after only seeing one page). If you need to speed up load times for your site, check out our guide.
• Uptime: The same can be said for sites that don’t load at all. Data center outages can cost a business an average of $9,000 per minute its website is unavailable, according to the Ponemon Institute. Signing up with a reliable web hosting provider can help ensure your site stays up as much as possible. For example, DreamHost uses high-performance solid-state drives in our servers, which are at least 200 percent faster than traditional hard disk drives. Uptime guarantees are another vital measurement to consider when evaluating reliability. DreamHost is one of the few providers that promise your site will be online 100 percent of the time. We’ll even reimburse you for an entire day’s worth of hosting for every hour your site is unavailable.
• Cross-browser compatibility: Your site should render properly across all major browsers and operating systems. Cross-browser testing before your site goes live can help you make sure users won’t run into compatibility issues with different browsers.
• Accessibility: Accessibility means every person can access and use your site–even if they have disabilities. Learn how to design an accessible website with our ultimate guide.

7 Key Components Of Web Design

Now we can get into the fun stuff, like colors, typography, call-to-action buttons, white space, navigation, and other web design elements!

Below, we’ll explore seven basic elements, but remember that web design is an art form, not a science. You can always take risks with your website if they’re calculated and reversible. You may even start the next big web design trend.

1. Overall Layout And Visual Appearance

Your site’s overall look is, of course, a crucial component of design. First impressions are critical, so you want to wow visitors as soon as the page loads. Users take only 50 milliseconds to form an opinion of your website or business, which will help determine whether they stay or leave.

Below, we’ll cover a few specific elements of your site’s layout and visual appearance that you may want to spend more time on.

Minimalistic Design

Minimalistic design (or minimal design) means placing only necessary elements on your home or landing page. Its visual design should be simple, familiar, intuitive, clean, and accessible. Minimalistic web design utilizes negative or white space to make the page skimmable and draw visitors’ eyes to what’s most important.

A trendy and effective way to use minimalism on your site is with card design. This is a popular web design style where you group text and images together on individual cards, giving visitors bite-sized pieces of content that they can absorb quickly without becoming overwhelmed.

Hero Images

Hero images have become trendy in modern web design. Just keep in mind that if you’re going to use a hero image (one large image that dominates the page), high-quality images are a must–as are modern compression tools to reduce the file size so having a large image doesn’t slow down your page load times.

E-commerce Elements

If your site is for e-commerce, you have a lot more visual elements to think about, but we’ll focus on two of the most important: product images and calls-to-action (CTA).

For e-commerce sites, the design elements need to not only look great, but also help motivate and facilitate purchases. High-quality product images help shoppers see a detailed and appealing view of the products you have on offer, making them absolutely essential for any site that includes online shopping.

Call-to-action buttons are another critical element for e-commerce sites. Buttons should be designed to stand out, prominently placed, and clearly labeled to help shoppers move smoothly through the entire purchasing experience.

Iconography

Icons can be helpful for providing supplementary information, but how they’re designed needs to match the rest of your site and branding. There are two main types of graphic design for icons:

• Skeuomorphic design: When icons are designed with details, shadows, 3-D effects, etc.
• Flat or semi-flat design: When icons are designed more minimally or cartoonishly, without details

In the past, skeuomorphic icons were more trendy. In recent years, though, we’ve seen design trends move toward flat and semi-flat design. However, trends aren’t all you should consider when designing your icons; consider what fits best with your branding and overall site design.

2. Color Scheme

When choosing a color scheme, there are quite a few factors you can consider: your brand, your industry, your target audience and demographics, just to name a few. And with roughly 7 million hues detectable by the human eye, you have a lot to choose from.

Think about how your color choices might represent you. For example, navy blue or forest green is a professional color often used by lawyers and doctors. Photographers often use black and white because it helps their images stand out.

But more than just your industry, think about your audience and their expectations. If your primary audience is young children, they may gravitate toward bright colors like red and yellow. If your primary customers are teens and young adults, bold colors might be the best choice. If you work with older adults, something more muted and refined might speak to them.

Once you choose a primary color, that can inform the rest of your color palette. When designing elements like navigation buttons and icons, it’s important to use a complementary color combination with your site’s background, text colors, etc.

Need more help? Check out our ultimate guide to website color choices.

3. Typography

As you think about how your website’s color palette will represent you and your business, you should ask the same questions about your site’s typography. Are you a professional who should use a distinguished serif font? Or is your business more casual and better represented by a light and airy sans serif?

No matter what you choose, your site’s text must be easily readable, which means the body copy should be at least 16 pixels, you should use a complementary font for headings and accents, and you’ll need plenty of contrast between the text and background (no red fonts on green backgrounds unless you want to give your visitors headaches).

Other than that, though, there’s some freedom here. You can play around with your font, as long as it’s readable. Feel free to balance normalcy with freshness and try something a little different from Arial or Times New Roman. You can mix fonts as long as they complement each other.

Just stay away from Comic Sans.

4. Navigation

Your site’s navigation is not a space where you can be creative.

Don’t fall into the trap of animated hover effects and complex, multi-tiered subnavs. Navigational elements–which can exist in a site’s header, body, and footer–are there to direct your visitors to the information they desire as quickly as possible. Period.

The first navigation menu should be at the top of the page, and here, you have a polarizing design decision to make: do you use a vertical navigation menu, or a hamburger menu? Hamburger menus, which collapse a vertical menu into three parallel, horizontal lines, provide an economical way to save space by hiding your navigation menu off-site (plus, they’re mobile-friendly). However, a hamburger button can obscure vital information–and they tend to have lower click rates, which means they’re less effective for visitors.

Smooth navigation extends past your site’s header. For long, scroll-heavy, or one-page designs, you may want to include directional arrows to help users navigate through each section. These types of sites can also benefit from a sticky “Back to Top” button that quickly delivers visitors back to the top of the page.

And finally, don’t forget to include a navigation bar in your site’s footer. An optimized footer can lead to up to 50% more conversions–especially if you include a contact form or a CTA like a signup link for your email list.

5. Content

Just like interior designers don’t stop once the walls are painted, your website isn’t done once the layout, color scheme, typefaces, and other aesthetic elements are picked out. It’s time to bring in the sofa and hang family photos on the wall–by paying attention to how your messaging interacts with your design.

Your site’s visitors might notice its design, but they’re there for its content. Is your brand trustworthy? Experienced? Capable of delivering top-notch products and services? Communicating clearly is critical; information should be easy for visitors to find, read, and digest–and that’s where content comes in.

Use headings and display text to organize content into sections so readers can skim and quickly find the information they need. Remove any information that doesn’t need to be there. Break up long content into lists–remember that content-heavy websites will compete with the design elements you’ve worked so hard on.

Apply the same content strategy to each page. For example, even your “About” and “Contact” pages should have the same branding and tone and convey the right information quickly.

6. Videos

Video can be a great way to engage site visitors, keeping them on your site longer, reducing bounce rates and even increasing conversions. Videos can transform static web pages into vibrant spaces, giving you a new medium to tell your brand’s story. Video content not only enhances the user experience by providing visual and auditory stimuli but also serves as an effective tool for improving dwell time and SEO rankings. Here are a few ways adding video can improve your site design:

• Increased visitor engagement: By presenting information through visual channels, videos hold the viewer’s attention longer than text or static images alone. Whether it’s an explainer video, a product demonstration, or a compelling brand story, video content has the unique ability to engage visitors, encouraging them to spend more time exploring your site.
• Improved SEO: Search engines favor websites with video content, as it indicates a higher quality of information and user engagement. Embedding videos relevant to your content can improve your site’s SEO rankings, making it more visible to potential visitors. Additionally, videos encourage sharing across social media platforms, further increasing your website’s reach and visibility. By optimizing video titles, descriptions, and tags with targeted keywords, you can enhance your SEO strategy and attract more traffic to your site.
• More conversions: Videos can also play a critical role in converting visitors into customers or subscribers. Product videos, for example, allow potential buyers to see items in action, addressing questions and concerns in a way that product descriptions cannot. Testimonial videos add a layer of trust and credibility, showcasing real-life experiences with your brand or products. By incorporating clear call to action prompts within or after videos, you can guide viewers towards making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or engaging with your brand in other meaningful ways.

7. Don’t Forget About Mobile

Phew! Finally, we’re nearing the end of our web design journey with a sleek, compact, user-friendly website. Ready to do it all again–but smaller?

The amount of mobile web traffic overtook desktop traffic years ago and shows no signs of slowing down. Additionally, Google now uses mobile-first indexing to rank sites in search results, and since 2021, the search engine has used Core Web Vitals, a set of metrics to measure how well your site delivers a quality user experience (including on mobile devices), to help determine which sites should get a rankings boost.

In other words, mobile-friendly websites aren’t just a nice-to-have feature anymore. They’re a necessity.

Most WordPress themes or templates are already primed for mobile traffic. But if you design a custom look or hire a web designer, you need to make sure your site works equally well when accessed from all device types.

Responsive Design Vs. Mobile-Friendly Layout

It’s also important to understand the difference between responsive website design and mobile-friendly or mobile-first design.

When a website is responsive, that means that when a mobile user accesses it, it scales down to fit the screen size.

On the other hand, a mobile-friendly design might change the layout to be more ideal for each screen size, changing column layouts or button sizes to make them easier to see and use for different types of devices.

While a responsive design is better than a site that doesn’t adjust at all for mobile users, it’s not as ideal as a mobile-first design that adjusts for every screen size and device type. Take this into consideration when choosing your template or working with a web designer.

Get A Stunning Website Designed From Scratch

Now that you’ve learned about the key elements of modern web design, it’s time to build your website!

At DreamHost, we make it easy for DIYers to launch a website fast with our drag-and-drop WordPress Website Builder. But if you’re looking for a polished, custom WordPress website that’s 100% unique to your brand, consider our Custom Website Design service.

Here’s how the process works: You’ll start with a one-on-one call with your project manager, who will discuss your requirements, content, and goals. Then, we’ll gather your existing logo and branding materials into a simple, one-page reference sheet to ensure your website design accurately reflects your brand.

Next, our pro designers will create a custom prototype of your new website. You can offer feedback, and once you’ve approved the design, we’ll code it into a high-performance WordPress site. We ensure you’re satisfied with the final product by including revisions from the get-go; you’ll get two rounds of design and code revisions for every page on your site.

Your finished website will be search engine optimized, mobile-friendly, and loaded with features like a custom blog, contact forms, analytics, and e-commerce tools. We can even upload products to your online store for you, if needed.

If you’re ready to move beyond WordPress templates, check out our Custom Website Design service today.

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Website accessibility involves making sure that your site is usable by everyone, including those with disabilities and impairments. There are a variety of resources, tools, and tips you can leverage to make creating an inclusive website a lot easier.

In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about website accessibility: why it’s so important, how you can check your site’s current accessibility levels (and barriers), and a complete guide to designing highly accessible web pages. Let’s get started!

What Is Website Accessibility?

Website accessibility refers to the extent to which a site can be used by individuals with disabilities. This can include people who are blind or have low vision, those who are deaf or hard of hearing, people with mobility impairments, cognitive disabilities, and other disabilities. It involves designing your website so that its content is available to and functional for everyone, including those who might use assistive technologies like screen readers, voice recognition software, or specialized input devices.

This idea goes beyond just helping individuals. It’s about embracing the diversity of web users and recognizing the importance of equal access on the internet. By prioritizing accessibility, you’re not only expanding your audience but also promoting inclusivity and social responsibility.

Website accessibility also aligns with various legal standards, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the United States and similar legislation globally. These laws require certain websites, especially those of public institutions and businesses, to be accessible to people with disabilities to avoid discrimination.

Who Manages And Enforces Website Accessibility Rules And Laws?

The responsibility for managing and enforcing website accessibility rules and laws is shared by various governmental and non-governmental organizations, each playing an important role in establishing and maintaining the accessibility standards we’ll cover later in this article.

• Governments and governmental agencies. In the United States, the Department of Justice (DOJ) is primarily responsible for enforcing the ADA, which includes rules for website accessibility. Other countries have their own governmental bodies overseeing similar laws and regulations.
• International standards organizations. The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has developed the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), a set of internationally recognized standards that outline how to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities. These guidelines are widely accepted as the benchmark for web accessibility and are often referenced in legal requirements.
• Advocacy groups and NGOs. Non-profit organizations and advocacy groups actively promote website accessibility, often offering resources, conducting audits, and sometimes pushing for legal action against non-compliant websites.
• Legal system. The legal system often becomes involved in cases of non-compliance with web accessibility laws. Lawsuits and legal actions can be taken against organizations that fail to meet required standards, particularly under the ADA. Legal proceedings can set important precedents that create future standards for enforcement of accessibility rules.

It’s important to note that the landscape of web accessibility is constantly evolving. We all have a shared responsibility to stay up-to-date with the latest news, legal developments, and other changes that impact website administrators.

What Are Web Accessibility Standards?

Under WCAG, there are four principles you must follow when creating an accessible website. They say that your site must be:

• Perceivable. Visitors must be able to perceive or understand and be aware of the content and information on your site. Like, having access to alt text.
• Operable. Visitors must be able to use every part of your site without disruption. A well mapped and organized navigation menu can achieve this.
• Understandable. All content on your site, whether written or otherwise presented, should be easy to understand. Clear, concise language and clean, uncluttered pages can be used to communicate information.
• Robust. The underpinnings of your site, like its HTML code, should be easily read and interpreted by all visitors, including assistive technology like screen readers. Another example of this is optimizing your website for various devices like phones and tablets.

Examples Of Accessibility Barriers Online

These common barriers can prevent users with disabilities from accessing or interacting with a website. Here are some examples of barriers and how they impact users.

• Lack of alt text for images. When images on a website don’t have alternative text (alt text), screen readers used by visually impaired users can’t interpret what the image is about. This can lead to a lack of understanding or missing out on crucial information.
• Inadequate keyboard navigation. Many users with motor disabilities rely on keyboard navigation instead of a mouse. Websites that don’t support keyboard navigation or have complex layouts can be inaccessible to these users.
• Poor color contrast. Insufficient contrast between text and background colors can make content difficult to read for users with visual impairments, including color blindness. This can render texts practically invisible for some users.
• Non-descriptive link text. Using vague phrases like “click here” for link text does not provide enough information about the link’s destination, especially for screen reader users who might browse links out of context.
• Lack of captioning or transcripts for audio and video content. Users who are deaf or hard of hearing rely on captions or transcripts for audio and video content. Without these, they can miss crucial information.
• Complex and inconsistent navigation. Inconsistent or overly complex website navigation can be confusing, particularly for users with cognitive disabilities. Simple, predictable, and consistent navigation aids better understanding and ease of use.
• Time-limited content and interactions. Content that disappears after a certain time or requires quick interaction can be a barrier for users with cognitive or motor impairments who may need more time to read or interact with content.
• Use of jargon or complex language. Overly complex language or industry jargon can be a significant barrier for users with cognitive disabilities or those who are not native speakers of the website’s language.

Why You Should Prioritize Website Accessibility

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 15% of the world’s population — as many as one billion people — live with a disability. Rates of disability are increasing as life spans increase, causing chronic health conditions to rise. People with disabilities deserve to be able to access the same information as those without, which is why it’s so important for all of us to work together to make digital content accessible and work to remove barriers to accessibility online.

As a website owner, it’s important to make sure you’re not excluding people with disabilities — even inadvertently. The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits businesses and organizations from discriminating based on disability, so if your website isn’t accessible to everyone, it could land you in legal hot water! But legal compliance isn’t the only reason accessibility should be a top priority when you design your site.

Making your website accessible sends a message that your company has inclusive values, and studies have shown that companies that are more diverse and inclusive are up to 35% more likely to have financial returns above their industry average.

And while accessible website design allows people with disabilities to easily navigate your site, it includes design principles that can actually improve the user experience for all your site’s visitors.

Creating an accessible website doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming. By taking just a few simple steps, you can significantly improve your site’s accessibility. This way, you can broaden your audience while also contributing to online accessibility efforts. You may even inspire others to do the same!

How To Check Your Site’s Web Accessibility

Before we get into tips and steps for designing an accessible website, it’s a good idea to start with knowing where your site currently stands–how it measures up against accessibility standards and best practices, and what accessibility barriers you may need to overcome with changes or redesigns.

There are many different ways to check your site’s accessibility. Let’s explore a few of the easiest and most popular options.

Use An Online Accessibility Checker

One of the fastest and easiest ways to check your site’s accessibility is by using an online accessibility checker, like WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tools.

WAVE is a suite of evaluation tools that you can use to evaluate your web pages and content and make them more accessible to individuals with disabilities. WAVE tools check for compliance with accessibility standards, such as the WCAG, but can also facilitate manual human reviews of your content, if you want to go a step further.

To use WAVE, simply enter the URL of the web page you want to evaluate in the “Web page address” field and click on the arrow button. WAVE will then generate a report that shows you any errors or potential accessibility issues on that page. You can also install WAVE’s browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge to test accessibility directly within your web browser.

In addition to the error report, WAVE provides feedback on how you can improve your pages to enhance their accessibility. For example, it can point you to images that are missing alt text or structural elements that are organized in a way that might confuse site visitors.

Install A Browser Extension For Accessibility

WAVE isn’t the only browser plugin that will automatically check sites for accessibility issues — there are many others you can download and use. A popular choice for Chrome and Firefox is the Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) extension.

The ARIA DevTools extension is a free and open source accessibility resource that allows users to customize the way they interact with web content. ARIA is designed to improve the usability of web pages for people with disabilities, and to make them more accessible to assistive technologies, like screen readers.

ARIA does this by providing a set of attributes that you can use to improve the accessibility of your site’s HTML elements. For example, the “aria-label” attribute can serve as a marker for an element that is not otherwise accessible, while the ‘aria-describedby’ attribute can be used to provide an explanation.

To use the ARIA extension, install it from your browser’s extension marketplace. You may have to enable it before it starts working.

Manually Check For Common Accessibility Issues

Another option to check for accessibility issues is to use a manual approach. Of course, this can be more time-consuming than using online tools and extensions.

However, if you do a manual check, it may be more thorough than some digital tools. Plus, this method is free and available to all website owners.

If you decide to look for accessibility issues manually, you might want to use a checklist to get you started and help ensure you’re as thorough as possible. WebAIM offers a comprehensive WCAG 2 Checklist with entries like:

• All content is accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities.
• All images are properly tagged with alternative text.
• The website is navigable using only a keyboard.
• All video or audio content on the site include transcripts or captions.
• The website is free of color contrasts that could make it difficult to read.
• Content can be interpreted by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies.
• Content doesn’t require a specific input type, such as touch-only or keyboard-only, but supports alternatives (such as using a keyboard on a mobile device).

Hire A Web Accessibility Expert To Audit Your Site

If you have the resources, a fourth option is to hire an expert to audit your website. This is often the best way to get the most comprehensive review of your website accessibility, making it an especially good choice for anyone who wants to make accessibility a core value of their online business.

At DreamHost, we have Pro Services offering web design, website management, and more, which can include identifying and fixing any accessibility issues on your site.

Our team of experts will carefully evaluate your web pages and provide you with accessibility solutions for any barriers they identify. Contact us today to learn more about Pro Services or to schedule a free consultation.

How To Design An Accessible Website (A Complete Guide)

Now it’s time for the fun part: designing and building your website so that everyone can use and navigate it with ease. Starting your website accessibility journey is exciting, and the steps below will guide you through the design process and help ensure that your website meets the legal requirements and technical standards to be accessible for all users. Let’s dive in.

1. Ensure Your Site Allows Keyboard Navigation

Keyboard navigation is a cornerstone of website accessibility. Many users, particularly those with motor disabilities, rely on a keyboard rather than a mouse to navigate websites. Ensuring your site supports keyboard navigation makes it accessible to a broader range of users, including those who depend on assistive technologies.

Best practices:

• Make sure the tab order of your website is logical. This means that as users press the Tab key, the focus should move through interactive elements in an order that makes sense, typically following the visual layout of the page.
• When users navigate using a keyboard, have clear visual indicators showing which element currently has focus. This could be a border, a change in color, or another noticeable style change.
• Include a “Skip to Main Content” link at the top of each page. This allows users who rely on keyboards to bypass repetitive navigation links and directly access the primary content.
• If your site uses drop-down menus, make sure they can be navigated and activated using keyboard commands. This includes being able to expand and collapse the menus and select items within them.
• Implementing custom keyboard shortcuts can enhance usability, but be careful not to conflict with existing browser or screen reader shortcuts. Clearly document custom shortcuts for users.
• Make sure that keyboard users don’t get stuck in any part of your site. They should be able to navigate to and from all elements using only their keyboard.

2. Make Content Easy To See And Hear

Ensuring that your website’s content is easy to see and hear is essential for making it accessible to users with visual and auditory impairments. This includes individuals who are blind, have low vision, are colorblind, or are deaf or hard of hearing.

Best practices:

• Use high-contrast color combinations between text and backgrounds to make sure text is easily readable. Avoid using colors that clash or blend too closely. Also, use legible font sizes and styles.
• Use an online tool like Contrast Checker to help you choose a color palette with high-contrast for good visual accessibility.
• Make sure information conveyed with color is also available without color, such as through text labels or patterns. This is particularly important for users who are colorblind.
• Allow users to adjust text sizes without breaking your site’s layout.
• For visually impaired users, ensure that any audio content is clear, well-paced, and descriptive enough to convey all necessary information.
• Use ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) roles and landmarks. These can help screen reader users understand the layout and navigate the content more effectively, particularly in complex web applications.

3. Provide Text Alternatives

Text alternatives make your site’s non-text content accessible to people with visual and auditory disabilities. These alternatives provide a textual equivalent of information conveyed through images, videos, and audio files, ensuring that all users, including those using screen readers or other assistive technologies, have access to the same information.

Another benefit is that alt text can help optimize your site to be more visible in search engines. You can use it to incorporate frequently-searched key terms that are relevant to your images.

Best practices: 

• Every image on your site should have a corresponding alt text that accurately and succinctly describes the image’s content or function. This description should convey the same message or purpose that the image does for sighted users.
• Add alt text to images in WordPress through your Media Library.
• Provide captions for videos, which describe not only the spoken content but also other relevant sounds and non-speech information. Transcripts are also important, offering a text-based version of all audio content, including spoken words and other relevant sounds.
• For videos, include audio descriptions that narrate the visual information. This is particularly important for content where the visuals carry significant information not conveyed through audio alone.
• Make sure all links and buttons are text-based or have text alternatives so their function is clear to screen reader users. Avoid using images as the only means to convey important actions or links.
• For complex visual content like charts and graphs, provide a text-based summary or description that explains the data or information being presented.
• Interactive elements like forms should have clear and descriptive labels. This helps users understand what each form field is for and how to interact with it.

4. Organize And Structure Content In An Adaptable Way

Organizing and structuring content in an adaptable manner helps make sure all users, regardless of how they access your website, receive the information in a coherent and logical way. This approach benefits users who rely on assistive technologies, such as screen readers, and those with cognitive disabilities who may find complex layouts or inconsistent structures confusing.

Best practices:

• Employ HTML5 semantic elements like <header>, <footer>, <nav>, <article>, and <section> to structure your content clearly. These elements provide context to assistive technologies, allowing them to convey the structure and layout of your web page to users.
• Use headings (H1, H2, H3, etc.) to structure content hierarchically and logically. Ensure that headings are descriptive and give a clear indication of the content that follows.
• Design your website’s layout to be flexible. This means it should adapt to different screen sizes and orientations without losing information or functionality. This is particularly important for users with low vision who may need to zoom in or for those accessing your site on mobile devices.
• If using tables for data, make sure they’re marked up correctly with row and column headers. Avoid using tables for layout purposes, as this can be confusing for screen reader users.
• Use ordered (numbered) and unordered (bulleted) lists to group related items. This helps screen readers convey the structure and organization of the content.

5. Offer Alternative Ways To Consume Time-Based Media

Time-based media includes audio and video content. People who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as those who are blind or have low vision, will need alternative ways to consume time-based media.

Best practices:

• Provide closed captions for all video content. Captions should accurately reflect spoken dialogue and describe relevant non-dialogue audio cues, like music or sound effects, that are important for understanding the content.
• Create transcripts for both audio and video content.
• Include audio descriptions in videos, which narrate the visual aspects of the video.
• Ensure that the media players used on your site are accessible. They should be navigable and operable using a keyboard, and their functions (like play, pause, and adjust volume) should be clearly labeled and understandable to screen reader users.
• For key video content, consider providing a sign language interpretation. This can be a separate video track or a picture-in-picture display within the video, offering a sign language translation of the spoken content.
• Include options to control playback speed and to pause, rewind, or fast-forward content. This flexibility can be particularly beneficial for users with cognitive disabilities, learning disabilities, or those who need more time to process audiovisual information.
• As of WordPress 5.6, you can add captions and subtitles to WordPress videos using the Web Video Text Tracks Format (WebVTT) feature. To access it, simply insert a Video block on your page, then select the text tracks button in your horizontal navigation menu.

6. Design Forms Carefully

Forms are necessary for many sites and are used for everything from contact information to online purchases. Properly designed forms ensure that all users can input their information, make selections, and understand any errors that may occur during submission.

Best practices:

• Each form field should have a clear and descriptive label that is programmatically linked to the field. This assists screen reader users in understanding what type of information is expected.
• When users make an error, such as missing a required field or entering invalid data, the error should be clearly identified and described in text. This helps users understand what needs to be corrected.
• Ensure that the tab order of the form follows a logical sequence, allowing users to navigate through the form fields using the keyboard in a predictable manner.
• As users tab through the form, there should be a visible indication of which field currently has focus, such as a border or background color change.
• Use fieldsets and legends to group related fields. This is particularly helpful for screen reader users, as it provides context and helps in understanding how different fields are related.
• If your form includes dropdowns, checkboxes, or custom controls, ensure they are fully accessible and can be navigated and selected using a keyboard.
• Where necessary, provide instructions or examples for fields, especially for those that require data in a specific format, like dates or phone numbers.
• If your form has a time limit for completion, provide a way for users to extend the time if needed, as some users may require more time to read and fill out the form.
• Make sure that the form is usable across different devices and screen sizes, especially for users who may be zooming in or using a mobile device.
• Plugins such as Formidable Forms come with helpful accessibility tools built-in.

7. Give Visitors Enough Time To Engage With Your Site

Some site visitors may read slowly, have cognitive or learning disabilities, or use assistive technologies that require additional time to navigate and interpret content. Make sure you allow them sufficient time to read, watch, and use everything on your site.

Best practices:

• If your website has features or content with time limits (like timed quizzes, forms with session timeouts, or rotating carousels), provide a way for users to adjust, extend, or disable them.
• For any moving, blinking, or scrolling content, and for auto-updating information (like news tickers), provide controls that allow users to pause, stop, or hide them.
• Avoid automatically updating content without user initiation, as this can be disorienting for screen reader users.
• If a timeout is necessary (such as for security reasons on a banking site), warn users before time expires. This gives them a chance to extend their session without losing data.

8. Avoid Blinking Or Flashing Content

Avoiding blinking or flashing content can make your website more accessible to users who are susceptible to seizures caused by flashing lights or patterns, a condition known as photosensitive epilepsy. Additionally, rapidly blinking or flashing content can be distracting, or even painful for users, contributing to an unpleasant or inaccessible web experience.

Best practices:

• As a rule, avoid content that flashes more than three times in any one-second period. This guideline, part of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), helps reduce the risk of seizures.
• If your website must include content that flashes or blinks (for artistic or informational reasons), provide a clear warning before the content is displayed. This allows users with photosensitivity to avoid or prepare for exposure to such content.
• Be mindful of animations and transitions in your web design. Ensure they’re subtle and do not involve flashing or rapid movements. Provide options to reduce or turn off animations if possible.
• Instead of using flashing content to draw attention, consider alternative methods like using bold colors, patterns, or static graphics that are equally effective but don’t pose a risk to users.
• When in doubt, consult with web accessibility experts who can review your site for potentially problematic content and suggest safer alternatives.

9. Provide Clear Navigation

Clear navigation is a cornerstone of web accessibility. It enables all users, including those with disabilities, to find their way around your site with ease. Good navigation is especially beneficial for users with disabilities and those who rely on assistive technologies. Clear, predictable navigation structures help users understand where they are on your site, how to get to their desired destination, and how to return to previously visited pages.

Best practices:

• Keep your navigation layout consistent throughout the site. Consistency helps users learn and remember how to navigate your site, reducing confusion and frustration.
• Group related navigation items together. This can be achieved through well-organized menus, clear section headings, or a site map that provides an overview of your website’s structure.
• Make sure all menus are accessible with keyboard navigation and screen readers. This includes drop-down menus and other dynamic content.
• For websites with multiple layers of content, use breadcrumb trails. These provide users with a clear path of their journey from the home page to their current location and help with easy navigation back to previous sections.
• Implement a robust search feature, especially for larger sites. This allows users to quickly find information without navigating through multiple pages.

10. Make Content Clear And Easy To Understand

Making your website’s content clear and easy to understand can help visitors with disabilities, learning difficulties, or those who are not native speakers of the site’s language. Clear, straightforward content ensures that information is accessible to a wider audience and helps all users to quickly grasp the intended message or action.

Best practices:

• Write content in plain language. Avoid complex sentences, jargon, and technical terms. When technical terms are necessary, provide simple explanations or a glossary.
• Use headings and subheadings to structure your content logically. This helps users, especially those using screen readers, to understand the layout and find information more easily.
• Keep paragraphs and sentences short and to the point. This structure makes the content easier to read and understand.
• Use bullet points or numbered lists to break down information into manageable, easy-to-digest pieces. This is especially helpful for instructions or complex information.
• Maintain a consistent layout and design throughout your site. Consistency in fonts, colors, and styles helps users to better understand and navigate your content.
• Where appropriate, use images, icons, or diagrams to support the text. Visual aids can help convey complex information more clearly and can benefit users who process visual information more effectively than text.
• Make call-to-action buttons or links clear and descriptive. Users should be able to understand what will happen when they click on them.

11. Write Useful Error Messages

Effective error messages guide users through resolving issues they encounter, which is particularly important for users with disabilities who may find it more challenging to understand and rectify errors. Clear, informative error messages help prevent frustration, ensuring that all users can successfully interact with your website and complete their intended actions.

Best practices:

• Error messages should clearly state what the problem is. Avoid vague or technical language that might confuse users. For instance, instead of saying “Invalid input,” specify what is wrong, such as “Email address format is incorrect.”
• Whenever possible, pair the error message with a suggested solution or next steps. For example, if a required field is empty, the error message should prompt the user to fill in that field.
• Visually highlight the field or area where the error occurred. This can be done by changing the border color, adding an icon, or using text styles. This is particularly helpful for users with visual impairments.
• Use a friendly, non-technical tone in your error messages. This approach reduces frustration and anxiety, especially for users who may already be struggling to navigate your site.
• Position error messages close to the point of error, ideally above or next to the form field in question. This makes it easier for users, including those using screen readers, to locate and understand the error.
• Ensure that error messages and indicators are accessible to screen reader users. Use ARIA roles and properties to communicate the presence and nature of errors.
• Use a consistent method for identifying and presenting errors throughout your website. Consistency helps users understand and predict how errors may be communicated.
• In cases of complex or repeated errors, provide an option for additional assistance, such as customer support contact information.

12. Write HTML That Can Be Parsed

Finally, write HTML that can be parsed, or correctly processed by web browsers and assistive technologies. Well-structured and valid HTML code allows screen readers and other assistive tools to accurately interpret and convey the content to users. This practice is fundamental for creating a web environment that is inclusive and navigable for everyone.

Best practices:

• Stick to standard HTML tags and avoid proprietary tags or attributes. This ensures that your HTML code is universally understood by all browsers and assistive technologies.
• Structure your HTML document properly. Use a logical order for HTML elements, and ensure that elements like headings (<h1> through <h6>), paragraphs (<p>), lists (<ul>, <ol>, <li>), and other standard elements are used appropriately.
• Utilize HTML5 semantic elements such as <header>, <footer>, <article>, <section>, and <nav> to define the structure of your webpage.
• Use HTML validators to check your code for errors or inconsistencies. Valid HTML is more likely to be interpreted correctly by browsers and assistive technologies.
• Keep content, style, and behavior separate. Use external CSS for styling and external JavaScript files for behaviors, rather than inline styles or scripts. This separation helps maintain clean, readable, and accessible HTML.
• Use meaningful title tags and meta descriptions to convey the purpose of the page.
• Declare the language of the page using the lang attribute in the <html> tag. This helps screen readers pronounce content correctly.

Make It Easy for Everyone To Access Your Site

Continued improvements in web accessibility are a reason to celebrate. After all, if you run a WordPress website, you want to reach as many people as possible, including people with disabilities. Fortunately, designing an accessible website is well within your reach.

In this post, we discussed many strategies you can use to design a site that’s easier for all your visitors to navigate and use. For instance, you can make sure that your website is keyboard-navigation friendly to be compatible with assistive technologies. You can also use alt text and video transcriptions for all your visual media. Most importantly, when you follow our guide, you support a more equitable web experience, ensuring your site is available to as many people as possible.

Want to hire a developer who can maximize web accessibility for your evolving WordPress projects? If you’d rather leave this important task to the professionals, check out our DreamHost Development Pro Services!

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The post How To Design An Accessible Website (A Complete Guide) appeared first on Website Guides, Tips & Knowledge.

The tricky part is finding the right typography for your brand. With so many options to choose from, you can find yourself struggling to see the wood for the trees. What’s the difference between serif and sans-serif?

To help point you in the right direction, we’re going to explore 50 of the best Google Fonts available right now. Then, we’ll look at how to create perfect font pairings and discuss best practices for using fonts in your web designs.

The 50 Best Google Fonts For Your Website

Whether you’re building a simple blog or the next big tech platform, Google Fonts should have something that suits your style. Here are the most well-regarded typefaces in the vast library, sorted by style:

The Best Serif Fonts

Serif fonts feature tiny strokes (or “serifs”) at the ends of each letter. These typefaces have a classic look and embody a sense of authority and tradition. They can convey trustworthiness and reliability, which makes them ideal for newspapers, magazines, and serious business sites.

Let’s look at some of the best fonts in this category.

1. Roboto Slab

Roboto Slab is a typeface with open curves that allow letters to fill as much space as they need. This means users enjoy a smooth reading experience at all font sizes. This font pairs well with a long list of sans-serif fonts, like Lato and Open Sans.

2. Merriweather

Merriweather was designed to be pleasant to read on screens. It features mild diagonal stress, meaning that the thinnest parts of the letters are slanted for a dynamic appearance. With its traditional look, Merriweather is perfect for literary publications and news sites. Plus, you can combine it nicely with Merriweather Sans.

3. Playfair Display

Influenced by 18th-century designs, this typeface lends itself to sites that have a touch of classical elegance. Playfair Display conveys a strong sense of authority, and the bold style can make headlines stand out on a busy page. This font pairs well with Georgia or its sibling, Playfair Display SC.

4. Lora

Lora is a contemporary, well-balanced font with roots in calligraphy. With its brushed curves and rounded serifs, Lora achieves a unique appearance with moderate contrast. This makes it an excellent choice for headings as well as body text.

5. PT Serif

Fun fact: PT Serif was developed for the “Public Types of the Russian Federation.” The letters of this font are long and elegant, and the mix of thin and thick strokes makes it easy to read in many different languages. As a transitional serif typeface, it’s a great match for PT Sans.

6. Noto Serif

A hybrid of classic and modern, Noto Serif is known for excellent legibility and a refined look that is suitable for professional sites. Thanks to its slightly condensed letterforms, this font works well in tight spaces. It pairs well with clean sans-serif fonts, such as Lato and Open Sans.

7. Libre Baskerville

Libre Baskerville is a digital-friendly take on the classic Baskerville typeface, which is renowned for its elegance and readability in print. The traditional style has been tweaked for better clarity on screens, but it retains plenty of sophistication. Pair this font with Montserrat, or Lora for some serif-on-serif action.

8. Old Standard TT

If you want timeless sophistication, try Old Standard TT. This font is reminiscent of the typefaces used in print publications in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It works particularly well for headings, and for body text where you want a traditional, formal tone. It works nicely with Lato.

9. Vollkorn

In German, Vollkorn means “whole grain.” The font lives up to this description, with an organic, wholesome feel. It invites visitors to read your content by the fire with a cup of cocoa. As such, Vollkorn works best for sites related to crafts, food, or nature. Pair it with neutral sans-serif fonts, such as Source Sans.

10. Slabo

Made specifically for web projects, Slabo can adapt to any pixel density. This means it looks equally clean on Retina displays and ancient PC displays. The overall look is slick and professional, making it a good choice for business and e-commerce sites.

The Best Sans-Serif Fonts

Sans-serif fonts are often considered more modern and informal in comparison to serif typefaces. Since they have clean letters with no strokes, they’re much easier to read on screens. As such, they’re frequently used in blogs.

11. Roboto

Roboto comes in twelve different styles, which are all very popular. This font has a geometric form, which is nicely balanced out by soft open curves. This mix makes Roboto seem friendly, yet professional enough for business sites. Use it for header or body text.

12. Open Sans

As a humanist sans-serif typeface, Open Sans was designed to appear clean and neutral. This makes it a great choice for body text in a wide range of web and mobile projects. It works nicely in combination with Roboto, or as a contrast to Merriweather.

13. Lato

Lato was originally created as a set of corporate fonts. It has a modern and sleek appearance, but there’s plenty of warmth there, too. It’s well suited to friendly business sites and lifestyle blogs, where you can use it for headings and body text.

14. Montserrat

Created by acclaimed graphic designer, Julieta Ulanovsky, Montserrat was inspired by the old posters and signs in Buenos Aires. It reflects the beauty of urban typography. However, it has been made lighter, which makes it more appropriate for longer texts. It makes a good pair with Roboto.

15. Poppins

One of the newer sans-serif typefaces, Poppins is beautifully smooth and round. It works well on websites where you want to sprinkle in some contemporary style, without sacrificing readability. It’s a favorite in the tech community. Thanks to its friendly appearance, you can also find Poppins on sites made for kids.

16. Fira Sans

Fira Sans was originally created for Mozilla, the organization behind the Firefox web browser. Regular Firefox users may recognize the clean, open letterforms of this typeface. Offering excellent clarity on all screens, Fira Sans works well for mobile-optimized sites, mobile apps, and reading platforms.

17. Roboto Condensed

A compact variant of the standard Roboto typeface, Roboto Condensed is a space-efficient sans-serif font. The letters are packed tight, yet the font is still highly readable. This makes it useful for situations where you need to convey information within a compact area — such as tooltips and T&Cs.

18. Proza Libre

Proza Libre is a versatile font, with clean lines that are perfect for body text. Adapted from the commercial Proza font family, it has subtle variations in stroke width to enhance the reading experience on digital devices. These attributes make Proza Libre a good choice for a wide range of creative projects.

19. Work Sans

Another font that was made to be small is Work Sans. As the name suggests, this typeface was designed for professional use cases. In the context of web design projects, it makes a good choice wherever legibility is important — particularly on smaller screens.

20. Oswald

The bold strokes and Alternate Gothic shapes of Oswald make this font very eye-catching. This has made it a favorite with online publishers hoping to grab the attention of readers. Oswald is versatile enough to be used in many designs, but bigger (i.e. headlines) is usually better with this font.

The Best Display Fonts

Display typefaces are designed for large text, like titles and headings. This means they’re often used to entice readers or to evoke a certain feeling. Since their primary goal is to captivate audiences, they tend to have strong personalities and unique shapes.

Here are the most popular fonts in this category:

21. Bebas Neue

Bebas Neue is a great option for all-caps headlines. It offers clean lines and elegant shapes, with enough punch to cut through a busy design. It’s also versatile enough to pair with both serif and sans-serif fonts.

22. Lobster

Lobster has a fun feature: multiple versions of each letter. More specifically, this handwriting-style display font adapts the connections between characters (ligatures) depending on which two letters are being joined. This makes for a very natural-looking script, with a laid-back retro feel.

23. Comfortaa

Comfortaa is a rounded sans-serif typeface intended for large sizes. Inviting curves and smooth lines make it easy to read and give your content a smart-casual look. It’s often used by tech companies with friendly branding or sites aimed at kids.

24. Abril Fatface

This typeface is inspired by the heavy titling fonts used in advertising posters in 19th-century Britain and France. The high contrast between thick and thin strokes makes this font almost impossible to ignore. Perhaps this is why many site owners use Abril Fatface for branding.

25. Alfa Slab One

The blocky letterforms of Alfa Slab One add a sense of confidence to headlines. It’s an eye-grabbing font with thick and rounded characters, originally designed back in 1921. This typeface wouldn’t look out of place in a printed newspaper, and it can bring the same gravitas to your site.

26. Cormorant

For a much more refined look, consider Cormorant. Inspired by the 16th-century Parisian engraver, Claude Garamond, this font conveys a sense of refined tradition. With nine different styles to choose from, Cormorant is also very flexible.

27. Raleway

You could technically include Raleway in the sans-serif section. But in truth, this elegant typeface looks best when writ large. It’s all clean lines and sharp angles, adding a modern crispness to corporate websites, personal blogs, educational platforms, and many other projects.

28. Italiana

Italiana is a font that truly evokes the golden age of Italian calligraphy. It was made for magazines, and it’s easy to imagine this typeface adorning the pages of an elegant lifestyle publication. As such, Italiana is often used by brands and creative businesses that want to evoke a similar sense of style.

29. Antic Didone

There is something very precise about Antic Didone. It showcases the type of high contrast and refined elegance that were commonplace in the 18th century. With sharp shapes, it’s suited to minimalist designs and luxury brands.

30. Cinzel

Text written with Cinzel looks like it was carved on stone by a Roman scribe. It’s a good choice for website owners seeking that kind of stately appearance in headings and titles. Most often, you will see it deployed on sites relating to history or legal services.

The Best Handwriting Fonts

Handwriting fonts were designed to match the unique appeal of human handwriting. Unlike other fonts on this list, cursive fonts are far more personal — which makes them an excellent choice for adding warmth and character to your texts. They are best suited to titles and headings, and popular among graphic designers.

Let’s look at some of the best handwriting fonts.

31. Dancing Script

As the name suggests, Dancing Script is a lively script where the letters bounce. The caps are big and extend below the baseline, creating a friendly, spontaneous vibe. This font looks at home in online boutiques and quirky portfolios, balanced with Open Sans or Roboto.

32. Pacifico

Pacifico is an original brush script handwriting font inspired by 1950s American surf culture. Commissioned by Google, the font was created by Vernon Adams, and has gone through several iterations. It can add personality to your content, perhaps on a travel blog or café website.

33. Shadows Into Light

Shadows Into Light is quite compact and neat for a handwriting script, making it useful for smaller headlines. The rounded edges suggest a certain playfulness, which can lighten up small business blogs and attract younger audiences to education sites. It tends to work well with clean body fonts, like Source Sans Pro.

34. Indie Flower

Carefree and open, Indie Flower has a bubbly character. It’s a little bolder than some other handwriting fonts, and there is more space between the letters, providing extra clarity for your readers. Use it alongside Noto Sans for a nice balance on personal sites and portfolios.

35. Caveat

Caveat was designed for short annotations and body text. Its OpenType features allow the letters to have slight variations according to their placement in a word. For example, a letter might appear more “handwritten” in some instances. The slightly uneven nature of this font adds an organic feel to creative sites.

36. Homemade Apple

With fully joined letters and whimsical loops, Homemade Apple faithfully mimics traditional handwriting. It’s perfect for adding a personal touch to your site or even a digital signature. It would look at home on an artisanal business website, matched with PT Sans.

37. League Script

Another fully joined-up typeface is League Script. This one is slanted, with delicate strokes and aesthetically pleasing letterforms. Consider using League Script for your wedding or fashion site, and pair it with Open Sans for a complementary look.

38. Cedarville Cursive

Although the letterforms are quite square and blocky, Cedarville Cursive still has the natural flow of authentic handwriting. The overall look is quite humble and friendly, so it can work well for small business sites that want to appear informal. Try pairing it with Lato.

39. Berkshire Swash

It would probably be more accurate to categorize Berkshire Swash as calligraphy rather than handwriting. With thick, ornate letterforms and a dose of flair, this typeface would suit any luxury brand. As for pairings, stick with something simple: Arial or Helvetica.

40. La Belle Aurore

La Belle Aurore is the type of font that you could use for a love letter. The handwriting flows, and it feels intimate. The style is perfect for wedding planners, poetry blogs, and personal websites, matched with Times New Roman.

The Best Monospace Fonts

Monospaced fonts are typically used by programmers due to their clean, simple designs and constant spacing between characters. These font types make it easier to read code and format discrete columns.

41. Roboto Mono

Roboto Mono is optimized for readability across many devices, which can help you increase conversions. It’s an excellent choice for writing software source code due to the distinct, exaggerated appearances of letters and punctuation.

42. Inconsolata

Inconsolata was designed for printed code listings and was inspired by a lack of visually appealing “programmer fonts.” As such, this is a brilliant typeface if you want to achieve attention to detail for high-resolution rendering.

43. Source Code Pro

Source Code Pro carries the same vertical proportions as Source Sans. However, the letters are a bit spaced out. This makes it ideal for coding environments and other situations where legibility is vital.

44. IBM Plex Mono

IBM Plex Mono boasts excellent legibility in print, on the web, and within mobile interfaces. It is a neutral yet friendly Grotesque-style typeface that is perfect for showing code snippets, in combination with Plex Sans and Plex Serif.

45. Space Mono

Developed for editorial use in headline and display typography, Space Mono‘s letterforms infuse a geometric foundation and Grotesque details. The font features many qualities often found in headline typefaces of the 1960s, including flattened descenders (the curve at the bottom of “t”, “g”, and other letters).

46. Noto Sans Mono

In comparison with most monospace fonts, Noto Sans Mono is friendly and highly readable. The sans-serif design also feels very clean; this font looks at home in modernist and minimalist web designs.

47. Anonymous Pro

This versatile typeface family was designed as a more readable alternative to Monaco, the default fixed-width font on Macs. Just like Apple designs, Anonymous Pro is stylish and functional. Characters that are often misread, like I and 1, have distinctive forms.

48. Azeret Mono

With heavily curved letterforms, Azeret Mono is a monospace font with plenty of personality. Originally made for operating systems, it looks good in user interface, infographics, and typewriter-style text in design projects.

49. JetBrains Mono

The key feature of JetBrains Mono is elongated characters. The additional height improves readability, particularly when you use the font for code snippets and other technical content. It can even work for body text.

50. Courier Prime

The original Courier font is a classic, but it’s not the most readable. Courier Prime makes some key adjustments for better legibility. If you want to include a typewriter-style font in your design, look no further.

How To Create The Perfect Font Pairings For Your Site

Having chosen your primary font, you might want to look for a suitable pair.

First, consider whether you actually need a secondary typeface. We recommend that you only use an additional font if it enables you to achieve a particular effect on your site.If you decide to proceed, you can use a tool such as Fontpair to get ideas for combinations.

The Google Fonts website also provides some tips for pairing typefaces. For example, it offers advice for pairing fonts within families and pairing fonts by the same type of designer.

You could use a secondary font to inject some personality into your website, especially if your main typeface is serious or formal. By pairing it with a friendlier font, you can make your brand more approachable:

Alternatively, you can utilize additional weights, widths, and styles when you don’t have enough variation in your initial typeface. In this instance, you might opt for a heavier typeface in order to distinguish important features, like headings, from the rest of your text.

Best Practices For Using Google Fonts On WordPress

Google Fonts is a library of over 1,500 open-source and free fonts, so you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a typeface for your site. Let’s look at some tips for selecting high-quality fonts.

1. Minimize Page Load Delays

To create a well-designed website, it’s important to consider your User Experience (UX), Search Engine Optimization (SEO), and Core Web Vitals. These factors can help you maintain a steady stream of traffic, giving you a higher chance of converting visitors into customers. Fast loading times play a large part in your site’s performance.

Some fonts come with several different weights. While this does give you more freedom in design, loading all of these styles can slow down your site. So, we recommend a maximum of three weights.

To select the styles you’d like to use without downloading the entire font family, visit the dedicated font page and click on the plus.

You should probably start with the regular, italic, and bold versions of your font. When you’re ready, click on Download all.

2. Choose a Font That Is Updated Regularly

Over time, fonts may receive several improvements. You can find out how often a font is updated by selecting the About tab:

Using an old or outdated font can have a negative impact on your site’s performance. The typefaces on our list are some of the most popular ones, so it’s likely that they’re updated on a regular basis.

3. Make Sure Your Content Is Accessible

Your chosen fonts should help make your site more accessible. For instance, you’ll want to make sure that users with visual impairments are able to read your content.

You can alter the size and color of your font to make it clearer. Make sure to follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines so that your content can be accessed by all users. Use tools like Color Contrast Checker to test the legibility of your text, as well.

Optimize Your Site With Fonts

As we have discovered, the world of Google Fonts is very diverse. It extends from the business-like serif font families to the sleek, contemporary sans-serif fonts. It also encompasses the eye-catching display fonts, the very personal handwriting fonts, and monospaced typefaces for code. If you check out every font in our list, you’re sure to find something that fits your style.

That said, narrowing down the options isn’t easy. If you would prefer the professionals to do the hard work, the DreamHost team can help.

Our design department can build you a unique WordPress website, complete with fonts that truly match your brand. It’s a great way to make your business stand out online, without spending hours learning about typography.

If you prefer the DIY route, make sure to invest in rock-solid hosting. All our plans come with a 100% uptime guarantee — so visitors can always enjoy your choice of fonts! Sign up today to try the DreamHost experience for yourself.

The post 50 Hand-Picked Google Fonts For Your Next Project appeared first on Website Guides, Tips & Knowledge.

Whether you pick WordPress or another website builder, this step-by-step guide will walk you through the key aspects of designing, building, and launching your fully functional website from scratch.

We’ll cover everything from choosing a domain name to finding a web host, selecting the right platform, creating compelling content, and more. And by the end, you’ll have the confidence and knowledge to bring your web vision to life. So let’s get started!

Can Anyone Build A Website?

The short answer? Yes!

While coding can allow advanced customization, it is by no means required to have a polished online presence.

Thanks to intuitive drag-and-drop website builders offered by WordPress and most other platforms, creating a website is more accessible than ever, even for beginners. And with the pre-designed templates and point-and-click widgets to add features, you can build responsive, mobile-friendly pages in minutes.

This means you can focus on bringing your vision to life instead of building your skillset.

And with AI advancements like chatbots and copywriting tools, websites are only getting easier to craft for people from all backgrounds. If you have a passion project, small business, or simply want an online home for your thoughts, you have all the tools needed to make that happen on your own.

The question now is, how do you build your website?

How To Build Your Website In 7 Simple Steps

While every website journey is unique, these seven steps form the typical workflow for crafting your own site from the ground up. Let’s explore each of these website-building steps in more detail.

Step 1: Identify The Purpose Of Your Website

Before purchasing a domain or signing up for web hosting, you must clearly define your website’s purpose.

Understanding exactly what you want to achieve with your online presence will inform many choices: from site structure to platforms, features, and design aesthetics.

Pinpoint Your Business Goals

If building a business site, begin by narrowing down your goals.

• Are you building a personal website for your freelance services?
• Are you planning on selling products?
• Creating a lead generation site growing your email list and contacts?
• Or building an online course or membership site with gated content?

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Clearly jotting down your objectives will guide your website setup process, ensuring you select platforms with appropriate functionality built-in.

For example, ecommerce sites require shopping carts and payment gateways, while lead-generation sites need forms and marketing automation. Defining these details early allows you to pick the best tools for the job right from the get-go.

Map Out Your Content Strategy

Once your objectives are pinned down, begin brainstorming the pages, posts, and media content you’ll need to execute your goals successfully.

These elements form the beating heart of your website, useful tools for engaging visitors and potential customers and turning them into customers or adding their email addresses to your database.

You can automatically send the collected emails to multiple inboxes using a service like ForwardMX. It also helps you create catch-all email addresses that consolidate every incoming email in a single inbox that you can sort based on custom rules.

At this stage, don’t worry about the copy on the pages. Focus instead on structuring your information at a high level.

For example, an ecommerce store might include pages like:

• Homepage
• Product category pages
• Individual product pages for product descriptions
• Shopping cart
• Checkout pages
• FAQ
• Contact
• About us

Meanwhile, a personal site may have:

• Homepage
• About me
• Blog
• Services
• Portfolio
• Contact

Pro Tip: Create a basic site map to visualize the connections between pages and how your target audience will navigate your content.

With your site goals, purpose, and content pillars defined, you’ll have the right strategic foundation to start building. And you can move to the next step.

Step 2: Choose A Domain Name

Your domain name is one of the first impressions visitors will have of your brand. A domain is a unique web address that points visitors to your online destination. Think of this as your business address – it helps people know where your business exists online.

For example, “dreamhost.com” or “johnsmith.blog.”

Picking a short, memorable domain name relevant to your offerings can pay dividends when driving traffic and conversions.

Here are some best practices for choosing a good domain:

Keep It Short

Shorter domains with fewer syllables are easier to convey verbally and remember.

If your personal name or business name is long, consider abbreviating to the shortest unique and meaningful acronym.

For example, Coastal California Fruit Farm -> CC Fruit Farm

Make It Descriptive

Short doesn’t necessarily mean vague. Try to pick a brandable domain that conveys what the site could be about without opening it.

For instance, the domain “dreamhost.com” is designed to be brandable. But we include the word “host” to imply that it’s some sort of hosting.

Similarly, add relevant keywords in your domain related to your niche, offerings, and potential customers. This helps visitors immediately understand your site’s purpose while boosting Search Engine Optimization (SEO) authority around your core topics.

Choose A TLD (Top-Level Domain)

The letters after the dot are known as the top-level domain, or TLD. Common options include:

• .com – The most popular and versatile option
• .net – Originally for network providers, now widely used
• .org – Traditionally used by non-profits and organizations
• .info – Focused on providing information
• .blog – Implies that the site is a blog

.com tends to be the default choice for businesses and personal sites. But review all options to see if another extension may be more fitting and available.

Check Availability

As you brainstorm potential names, verify domain availability in real-time before getting attached to an unavailable option.

It may be possible that your favorite .com domain is taken. Start by trying some variations in the search box. Try adding your location or an extra keyword relevant to your niche until you land on an available option you’re happy with.

Register A Domain

Once you’ve selected an available domain, it’s time to officially register it in your name. You’ll need to sign up with a domain name registrar like DreamHost, Google Domains, Namecheap, etc.

The domain registration process only takes a few minutes and costs about $15 per year excluding any offers the registrar may have.

If you plan to go with one of DreamHost’s hosting plans (discussed next), you can get the domain for free for the first year. You can skip this part and jump straight to getting hosting. 

But if you still want to buy the domain separately, you’ll be asked for:

• The domain name you want to register
• Your contact details
• Payment information

Once purchased, you’ll fully own and control that custom domain name (as long as you keep renewing it).

It’s time to shift gears to web hosting and servers to store your actual website files and data.

Step 3: Pick A Reliable Web Host

Now that you have a domain mapped out, it’s time to look at web hosting services.

What’s a web host? A web host is a company that provides servers where your website’s files physically live. It takes care of serving the files to your visitors.

When someone types your custom domain name into their browser, the web host pulls up the right site files to display based on that request.

There are many types of hosting plans and services, but we’ll focus on the three most common options relevant for small sites and online stores:

Shared Hosting

With shared hosting, your site lives on a server that also hosts hundreds or thousands of other websites owned by a hosting provider.

Resources like disk storage space and memory are pooled together and shared by all sites using that server. It’s by far the most budget-friendly hosting option but offers less control.

DreamHost, for example, offers reliable shared hosting plans starting around $2.59 a month. These basic shared hosting plans are ideal for personal sites, blogs, and small business pages just getting off the ground.

VPS Hosting

Short for Virtual Private Server hosting, VPS plans allocate a certain portion of a physical server dedicated just for your site.

So while the underlying machine is shared, your site is quarantined with its own partitioned resources like storage, memory, and processing power.

This balances robust performance and control with affordability compared to dedicated servers. Prices start around $5 per month at Digital Ocean and Vultr.

If you find the above VPS services too technical, DreamHost’s VPS plans are managed for you so you get the benefit of dedicated resources without having to manage the server updates, security, etc.

VPS hosting works well for medium traffic sites that need more juice than basic shared hosting provides.

Dedicated Hosting

As the name suggests, dedicated hosting gives your website its very own physical machine accessible only by you. These can be expensive and are generally not required for sites just starting out.

However, dedicated hosting offers maximum control of your site and data. They generally start at $100+ per month depending on the server configuration you choose.

The isolation and raw power make dedicated servers ideal for large, high traffic sites and mission-critical web apps that need the highest performance and security.

Key Hosting Factors

As you evaluate options, look for hosts that offer:

• High uptime – The % of time servers are live and accessible should be 99%+
• Fast page load times – Quick server response for snappy visitor experience
• SSL certificates – Free HTTPS encryption for secure sites
• CDN support – For accelerating static content delivery
• Managed support – 24/7 service via chat, email addresses, phone

Step 4: Choose Your Platform

Your website building platform powers how you’ll design, manage, and update your site over time.

There are two primary options: self-hosted CMS software like WordPress, or dedicated SaaS website builders like Wix, Squarespace, or HubSpot.

Let’s compare the pros and cons of each approach.

Self-Hosted CMS

A content management system (CMS) is software for publishing and modifying website content without needing to code everything from scratch.

While platforms like WordPress and Joomla require more technical lift to initially configure, they offer a variety of customizable features and scalability down the road.

Let’s focus on self-hosted WordPress since over 62% of all CMS sites run on this open source software.

The term “self-hosted” means you independently install WordPress software on server infrastructure you control, rather than using WordPress.com’s hosted service. This allows full ownership over your site’s fate.

Here are the main advantages of using self-hosted WordPress:

Total Design Flexibility

With open-source WordPress, both your site’s HTML/CSS code and SQL databases are under your control locally. This allows endless customization options for tailoring page design and functionality exactly how you like using code, themes, and plugins.

Robust Features Via Plugins

WordPress grants access to over 55,000+ plugins. This means you can expand your site’s capabilities using ecommerce plugins, forums plugins, contact form plugins, security plugins, and more without needing to code extensive functionality from scratch.

Mature Platform With Long-Term Viability

With a vibrant community having supported WordPress for 20 years and counting, you can rest assured it has staying power if you ever pause working on a site and pick it up years later. The platform will still be there.

The main downside is WordPress has a steeper learning curve compared to some website builders. But with the right host, it’s very manageable for most motivated beginners.

Website Builders

No coding or configuration required. Website builders allow you to launch a site in minutes by tweaking settings rather than needing to install software.

With intuitive drag-and-drop interfaces and built-in mobile responsiveness, all you have to focus on is pumping out content that engages a wider audience.

Some of the most popular website builder platforms include:

• WordPress: Over 42% of all sites worldwide use WordPress. Available as a one-click installable application from the control panel of most hosting providers.
• Wix: Over 200 million sites published and best for visual customization
• Squarespace: Hundreds of templates and excellent multi-media support
• Weebly: Easy to use with deep commerce features
• Godaddy Website Builder: Easy and built into the Godaddy

Website builder platforms make launching sites fast and frustration-free, but you should know their convenience and simplicity comes at the cost of long-term flexibility.

Over time, modifying templates or needing advanced features not part of integrated offerings may prove challenging compared to open-source CMS software.

But for launching beautiful sites in record time that “just work” builders can’t be beat.

Step 5: Build Your Website

Site purpose defined? Check. Domain purchased? Done. Web hosting selected? All set. Platform chosen? Yes.

Time for the fun part — bringing your website to life!

Start With Themes Or Templates

Most CMS systems and website builders include a gallery of professionally designed themes and templates to apply to new sites.

These act as foundations which determine default page structure, layout, fonts, colors, and more based on the type of site you want to build.

For example ecommerce store templates versus personal portfolio themes.

Rather than build pixel-perfect designs from absolute scratch, these templates give you the creative freedom to start designing and reach closer to your vision as quickly as possible.

The template can be modified and enhanced by:

• Adding/restructuring content blocks
• Choosing a different color palette
• Tweaking fonts
• Importing images and graphics

Built-in customization settings also make fine-tuning templates fast and easy without needing design expertise. Many modern website builder platforms make templates fully mobile responsive out of the box, meaning they dynamically resize and reflow to look great on any device.

Pro Tip: Resist overstuffing templates with custom elements that detract from your core message. Find one perfect theme for your site, then focus on best practices for clean, scannable layouts relevant to your niche.

Add Plugins To The Mix

One advantage of open-source platforms like WordPress is being able to enhance the built-in, essential features using the hundreds of add-on plugins.

Plugins are bits of third-party code you activate to add functionality without needing extensive development.

There are plugins for everything imaginable — SEO plugins, slideshows, contact forms, pop ups, social sharing, reviews, audio embeds, and 50,000+ more free and premium options.

Browse plugin dashboard on the platform you choose to find relevant tools, read reviews. Then install them with one click from your WordPress dashboard.

Pro tip: It’s easy to go overboard with plugins and install too many of them. Keep a weekly or monthly schedule where you deactivate and delete any unused plugins to avoid cluttering up your website.

Optimize For Mobile Devices

Over 58% of all website traffic comes from smartphones and tablets versus desktops. If your site isn’t focusing on mobile responsiveness, you are alienating the majority of visitors.

Thankfully, most modern platforms make mobile optimization turnkey through responsive frameworks and templates that intelligently adapt screen layouts based on a visitor’s device.

You should still test your final site across various devices to catch any formatting hiccups. Use Google’s free Mobile-Friendly Test to catch issues.

For additional guidance, Google’s Mobile Site Design covers core principles for flawless mobile experiences.

Step 6: Add Engaging Content

For visitors to stick around and convert into leads and customers, your website needs compelling content that speaks to their problems and interests. Here are a few tips to create engaging content in 2023 and beyond.

Using Visual Media

Instagram showed the world how powerful visuals and images can be. While text continues to be the primary medium for communication, images, infographics, animations, and video breathe life into websites while catering to different learning styles.

When adding visuals:

• Use high-resolution, eye-catching imagery
• Ensure proper licenses are purchased for stock photos
• Optimize images for fast loading with compression
• Add descriptive alt text for accessibility

For video and audio, turn to multimedia-focused platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, Spotify, and SoundCloud. Their embedded players let you feature rich media while leveraging each network’s delivery infrastructure.

Optimize Your Site For Search Engines

Beyond visitors that type your URL directly into the browser, most discover websites through search engines like Google surfacing relevant results.

That’s why SEO should be part of your strategy from day one.

The good news is SEO strategies are largely about ensuring your content provides value around keywords and topics people actually search for. Do that well, and search engines will eventually surface your content. Here are some core SEO best practices to weave in as you build out your site:

• Conduct keyword research to identify terms and questions with sufficient search volume that align with your offerings. Keyword planner tools like SEMRush and Ubersuggest help uncover SEO opportunities.
• Create useful, original long-form content that answers search queries in more depth than competitors. Include related keywords throughout naturally.
• Use descriptive slugs with target keywords when naming site pages rather than generic IDs.
• Format content for scannability with bullets, bolded keywords, sub-headers, short paragraphs, etc. Break up dense blocks of text.
• Enable SSL Encryption via HTTPS which boosts SEO rankings and breeds visitor trust.
• Seamlessly embed multimedia like YouTube videos and Spotify podcasts. External media drives search visibility.
• Build backlinks by having other reputable sites link back to your content over time, spreading domain authority.
• Engage social media to amplify visibility as fans share your link. Encourage social actions with follow/share buttons.

SEO can feel overwhelming, but if you just focus on providing genuine value around your niche topics, search visibility will come in time.

Connect Google Analytics

Understanding how visitors interact with your content is key for continually optimizing it. Install Google Analytics to identify visitor metrics like:

• Traffic source
• Pages visited
• Bounce rates
• Conversion actions
• Location demographics

These behavioral insights and many more provided by Google Analytics can help you double down on popular pages while improving or removing underperforming sections based on real user data.

Step 7: Review And Publish Your Site

Before releasing your slick new website to the public internet, be sure to thoroughly test and review all pages to catch any lingering hiccups.

• Check page speed metrics using Google PageSpeed Insights and GTmetrix. Optimize images and use cache plugins to hit site loading benchmarks.
• Verify all page links and site navigation menus work as expected on both desktop and mobile. Fix broken paths.
• Spell-check all text content and test embedded media formats to prevent crashes.
• Confirm security protections like SSL certificates are active and using the latest platform versions.
• Review site on multiple browsers like Chrome, Safari, and Firefox to catch CSS quirks.

When everything looks polished and performs snappily, hit the publish button within your admin dashboard to move your site from staging to live.

Give yourself a high five for all the vision, strategy, and elbow grease you’ve poured in. You’re now sharing your website with the world!

Now focus on creating stellar content that attracts visitors while finding marketing opportunities to drive qualified organic traffic over time. You can also consider launching social channels to further amplify your web presence.

Website Building FAQs

Let’s wrap up with answers to some commonly asked questions about crafting your website:

Is it easy to make a website?

Thanks to intuitive drag-and-drop website builders and themes, anyone can build their site in 2024 without needing to code or hire a professional. And with the artificial-intelligence-based copywriting tools that are available, it’s all the easier to get started.

That said, while launching a basic online presence is more accessible than ever, continually growing, optimizing, and sustaining a site in the long run still requires some learning and effort.

Should I make my website or pay a web designer?

If you have a strong vision and want full control over every aspect of your online presence and user experience, then designing your website can be incredibly rewarding.

However, if designing is not your thing, hiring a web designer may be money well spent, allowing you to simply handle content and promotion.

For simple personal sites and early-stage commercial projects, DIY site building is likely sufficient.

If you’re launching a business website supporting your enterprise products and services, the upfront cost of custom development pays dividends in the long run.

How much does it cost to build a website?

The cost to build a website runs a huge gamut from $0 to millions depending on complexity, custom features, visual design needs, and whether you take the DIY approach.

• At the low end, using WordPress Content Management System (CMS) and shared web hosting allows you to launch your site for less than $100/year.
• Professionally designed WordPress sites tend to run $2,000 – $5,000+ with custom features and themes.
• For an online store with product inventory, expect an investment between $6,000 – $15,000 to cover ecommerce functionality.
• Large enterprise websites with extensive custom codebases and infrastructure needs can soar over $100k.

Let’s Bring Your Website Vision To Life

And that wraps up our complete, step-by-step guide on making your website from start to finish!

By now, you should have a firm handle on crafting an effective site strategy, registering the perfect domain, finding affordable web hosting, and other steps for building a website.

So, rather than feel intimidated looking at other amazing sites, know that everyone starts somewhere on their web-building journey. Stick with it month after month, continually experimenting and learning, and you’ll make incredible progress.

The key is to not get overwhelmed but rather take the first step with an initial idea. Things will start coming together faster than you think. So now, it’s your time to take action!

Create a Website for All

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The post Wondering How To Make A Website? Here’s A Complete Tutorial appeared first on Website Guides, Tips & Knowledge.

That’s a lot of thinking. So, it’s understandable that most people only review the design of their website very rarely. In some cases, not at all. As a result, websites often become less effective over time.

So, how often should you be considering a website redesign?

The answer depends on several different factors. These include the current performance of your existing layout, the emergence of new technology, and changing styles in design.

In this guide, we’re going to explore these topics (and more) and help you pinpoint the right time to redesign your website.

Why You Might Need To Update Your Website Design

Design isn’t only about the look of your website— It dictates the entire user experience, from navigation to accessibility.

Over time, designers have become better at adapting their work to the needs of the end user. As these new ideas are put into practice, the principles of good design start to shift. What was considered a perfectly good design five years ago may seem outdated today, leaving users unimpressed.

At the same time, technology is always moving forward. Web standards change rapidly, as do design practices. If your site doesn’t take advantage of the latest optimization techniques, you could find yourself lagging behind the competition.

Here’s the full list of problems associated with outdated website designs:

• Poor user experience: Older designs often include navigation elements that seem outdated to current users, and content can be slow to load.
• Higher bounce rate: When users don’t enjoy the experience of navigating your website, they may simply leave. Leading to our next point —
• Lower conversion rate: If potential customers don’t like your site, they are less likely to go through with an online purchase or even enter their email address.
• Decreased mobile compatibility: Mobile browsers have come a long way over the past few years. Older websites don’t take advantage of the new upgrades and may become incompatible with new browser versions.
• Lower search engine ranking: Google and other search engines tend to promote sites that show excellent performance. As outdated sites tend to fall behind here, they rarely receive top billing in search results.
• Reduced credibility and trust: People don’t trust websites that haven’t been updated for a long time, perhaps because it suggests neglect. And that’s not really an appealing vibe.
• Security vulnerabilities: In some cases, that lack of trust is justified. Websites that have been designed with outdated standards may have security holes.
• Higher maintenance costs: Avoiding a full redesign might seem like a way to save money. But in truth, fixing old designs and hosting poorly optimized content is a recipe for unnecessary expense.

How Often Should You Redesign Your Website?

There is no fixed answer to this question, but as a ballpark figure, you can expect any website design to last for between two and five years. This assumes that the design is crafted with care, using up-to-date design principles and current technology.

The same design can continue functioning for many more years. However, it might not meet visitors’ needs in the same way as a new design. As time passes, the problems are only likely to grow.

Of course, these are just general trends. To determine whether your specific website needs an overhaul, you need to consider how your current design is holding up.

Here are seven telltale signs that it’s time to make some changes:

1. Your Website Business Performance Isn’t Hitting Your Benchmarks

Unless you’re just blogging for fun, your website likely has a purpose — such as attracting views or making sales. And you probably have certain business goals related to that purpose.

Over time, it becomes clear what a realistic target looks like. How many visitors or new customers can you aim for this month? Probably the same as last month, plus a few more. This becomes your benchmark.

Maybe you don’t hit the benchmark every month, but you’re generally trending in the right direction. Your website continues to grow. This trajectory might continue for years.

Then, one day, the graphs start flatlining. A few months later, they begin to decline. Fewer people visit, make purchases, or sign up. Users stop returning, and Google doesn’t send you the same amount of organic search traffic. You feel like a pilot watching the dials as your airplane falls from the sky.

What’s happening? If you haven’t changed the design of your website for several years, it could be the root of the problem.

Most companies that see consistent growth tend to update their site quite regularly. They run a redesign project every few years, taking into account all the good parts of their existing design and refining the parts that need work.

The performance indicator isn’t foolproof by any means. There could be other reasons why you’re not seeing the results you desire. But when your website hasn’t been updated for some time, it can be a useful smoke signal.

2. Your Website Has Fallen Behind Competitors And Your Industry

Continued growth doesn’t always mean success. When you’re running a business, growth in comparison with that of your competitors is also important.

If you have a suspicion that your site is starting to look a little old, consider running some competitor analysis. Look at the performance of similar companies that have redesigned their site in the past couple of years. You can do this using a free tool like Website Grader.

Are they doing better than you? If they are, you might have to take action if you want to stay in the race.

It’s also worth looking higher up the food chain. Study the website of the leading brand in your niche. What do you like about the look, feel, and performance of their site?

Make a note of everything that catches your eye, then compare it with your own website. If your site seems tired, it could be time to start the redesign process. (The notes you take here can be really helpful when drafting your redesign strategy.)

Industry Benchmarks

Of course, not every website has a like-for-like competitor. And not every site owner has the skills, time, or resources to perform a comprehensive analysis.

In such cases, industry benchmarks can provide a helpful shortcut. Some key metrics to look at include:

• Average conversion rate: What proportion of users are signing up or making a purchase?
• Organic traffic: How many visitors are coming to the site through search and social?
• Bounce rate: What proportion of visitors leave straight away?
• Average time on site and pages per session: How long are visitors hanging around?

Once you have gathered this data, compare your own figures with industry benchmarks.

The results of this analysis can be pretty revealing. Failing to reach industry benchmarks, particularly if your site is well established, can hint at the need for a redesign.

Performance Benchmarks

Not all benchmarks are tied to outcomes. The technical performance of your site can be just as important.

According to Google, the bounce rate of the average page increases by 32% when load time extends from one second to three seconds. In other words, almost a third of visitors will leave your site immediately if your design elements aren’t properly optimized.

What’s more, search engines like Google tend to promote sites that use current best practices in web design. For instance, a site with a responsive design (able to adapt to different screen sizes) is more likely to rank than a website with an inflexible layout.

With these impacts in mind, it’s worth keeping an eye on the following performance metrics:

• Page load speed: It shouldn’t take any longer than two seconds. Test with Pagespeed Insights.
• Mobile responsiveness: Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test reveals whether your current site design works well on smartphones and tablets.
• Accessibility: Older designs often score poorly when it comes to accessibility. This makes it harder for some users to use your site, and search engines don’t approve.
• Legibility: The average time it takes someone to read your content can reveal whether your color palette and typography is causing problems with legibility.
• SEO performance: In some cases, search engine optimization efforts can be hindered by an outdated front end.

A sub-par result in one of these categories implies that the design of your website could be improved. If you’re lagging behind in more than one area, you should probably consider starting again from scratch.

3. Your Branding And Design Style Has Changed

There are times when redesigning your website isn’t a necessity on technical or performance grounds. Sometimes, you just want to freshen things up.

This particularly applies when businesses make a change to their overall brand.

Take the example of Apple. Back in the late 1970s, this technology giant used a multi-colored fruit as a logo. As time passed and new design trends emerged, the company later decided that a sleek, monotone icon would be more fitting.

With the earlier logo, a website that was similarly vibrant might have seemed appropriate. But when the logo was replaced with something more subtle and sophisticated, it became necessary for other parts of the brand to change.

If you visit Apple’s website today, you can see that it’s essentially all white, with shades of dark gray. It matches the logo, and reminds visitors of the brushed aluminum and glossy black screens that are the company’s design trademark.

Look at your own online presence. Does it complement your brand in the same way?

A mismatch might seem insignificant, but multinational companies spend millions of dollars on branding for a reason.

The Importance Of Visual Branding

Research by Edelman found that consumers are more than twice as likely to make purchases with brands they trust. They tend to remain loyal and become advocates among their friends, too.

To build trust, you need to make a good first impression. Research tells us that the average consumer takes only 0.05 seconds to form opinions about your website. And 94% of these first impressions are related to visual design.

Some consumers (46.1%) even gauge the credibility of your brand based on the visual appeal of your website — including the general layout, your choice of typography, and color schemes.

What this tells us is that looks really do matter. Unless visitors like what they see, they won’t even take the content of your website into consideration.

4. You Need New Tools, Technology, And Integrations

Adding useful features to your website is a good way to improve user experience and drive conversions. Anything that can make it easier for visitors to interact with your brand has the potential to drive fresh growth — whether that’s a pop-up chatbot or a calendar system for booking appointments.

If you’re using a CMS (content management system) like WordPress, you can introduce this type of functionality very easily by installing a plugin. Many platforms now also provide website integrations, allowing you to hook up your favorite apps.

The problem is, these new additions might just break your old design.

In theory, website templates should be fairly flexible. However, many are designed with specific features in mind. If you add an online store to a design made for blogging, you could start seeing some pretty strange stuff:

• Weird alignment of visual elements.
• Broken links.
• Images not appearing at the right size.
• Text formatting not working.
• Things working fine on desktop, but breaking up completely for mobile users.

If these gremlins start appearing, you will almost certainly need to redesign your site, at least to some extent.

Changing Your CMS

Unfortunately, there is no easy way to transfer website templates between different content management systems.

While a professional design agency could probably recreate your existing look, it’s usually a better idea to start from scratch and build something that fits with your new system. At DreamHost, we have a team of experts who can help you with this.

Don’t have the budget for a custom build? Simply look for a premade template that works natively with your chosen CMS.

5. UX And Functionality Are Outdated

Many sites with ancient designs suffer from usability problems. Internet users today have very different expectations from those of users ten years ago. What seemed cutting-edge back then can now appear antiquated, confusing, or completely unusable.

Here’s a comparison of how YouTube looked in 2005, versus how it looks in more modern times:

Quite a glow-up, right? On the old YouTube, you had to search for what you wanted or click on a tag. Today, users are presented with an endless list of personalized suggestions, with visual previews that play when you hover over the thumbnail. It’s much easier to use.

This might be an extreme example, but many sites with older designs could be improved in a similar vein.

Mobile-Friendly Design

According to 73.1% of professional web designers, non-responsive design is the primary reason why people leave your website.

Why? Because 65.49% of global website traffic comes through mobile devices, and sites that aren’t mobile-friendly tend to provide a poor user experience.

The vast majority of web designers today understand the importance of responsive design. However, this wasn’t always the case. Some websites built more than five years ago are not optimized for mobile devices. That goes for templates and themes, too.

Changing Design Trends

As time goes by, new theories emerge about the best way to create sites that are both visually appealing and intuitive for the end user.

Consider the example of skeuomorphism. Popular in the early 2010s, this design trend was about creating visual elements that mimicked real-world objects — such as a bookshelf for digital reads. Designers thought that familiar visual cues would make it easier for users to navigate.

Fast forward to the present, and you will only find traces of skeuomorphism in modern web design. Many users see it as old fashioned, and would rather interact with a simple icon than a perfect recreation of a real-world object.

In fact, they might not even realize that the realistic object is something they could interact with.

It’s worth paying attention to these details as you assess your current website. Does your site feel cutting-edge, or more like a relic? If you’re not sure, compare your site with those of top brands in your industry.

6. Your Goals Are Shifting

Did you know that Netflix started life as a DVD rental company, and X (aka Twitter) was originally meant to be a podcast directory?

As some of the world’s biggest online brands have proven, reshaping your business or project around a new concept can help you achieve success. But it usually involves redesigning your site. To understand why, we needed to get inside the mind of your ideal customer.

Imagine your accountant one day decided to become a wedding photographer. How do we know they are qualified for the job? Perhaps if they could point you to a classy portfolio site full of stunning images, you might consider booking them.

Now imagine the same person simply uploaded their portfolio to their existing accountancy website. It would look silly. It would look unprofessional. And that’s exactly what your potential customers will think if you don’t adapt your site.

In addition, you might have to add new types of content or different features. Our accountant-turned-photographer would need a portfolio section and a system for capturing bookings.

Reshaping the design of your site for such changes is essential if you want to provide a good user experience on all devices.

7. Your Users Are Confused Or Frustrated

In business, they say the customer is always right. The same goes for visitors to your website.

Users don’t care if your current design was recently crafted at great expense. What matters is being able to access the features they want, without having to battle against bugs or wade through an ugly interface.

The problem is that most visitors won’t tell you directly if your design is broken. The majority will simply bounce. However, a few helpful souls might ask for help and mention the difficulties they face when using your site.

This type of feedback is priceless. In the short term, it can flag up minor problems that need fixing. But you should also pay attention when multiple users keep mentioning the same problems again and again.

This is a sure sign that something is fundamentally wrong with your site, and you might need to make more sweeping changes.

Survey Your Users

Assuming your site has a decent number of regular visitors, it could be worth prompting your users to leave feedback through a pop-up survey. Alternatively, you could send out a survey to people on your email list.

Ask them questions like:

• Do you find the site easy to use?
• Is the site visually appealing to you?
• Can you usually find what you’re looking for on the site?
• Are there any parts of the site you find frustrating to use?

Surveys like these always tilt a little toward the negative, because users with a gripe are more motivated to reply. However, it’s worth studying the answers carefully.

As with support requests, surveys can reveal whether users are generally happy with the look and usability of your site. Repeating the process once a year can help you to track how attitudes are changing as your design grows older.

Heat Maps

Another way to assess your current design is by gathering data through heat mapping software. These tools track all the ways that users interact with your site, including clicks, scrolling, hovering, and so on.

Heat map data can reveal whether users are interacting with the parts of your site that are critical to your business goals — or ignoring them completely. If you’re not seeing enough action, it might be time to switch up your design.

It’s Just Due (5+ Years)

Maybe none of the above applies to your website, but it’s coming up to five years old. We would still recommend refreshing the design of your site.

Even when there are no visible signs of reduced performance, older designs often have problems stacking up beneath the surface. Being proactive ensures that your site won’t suddenly break one day after an update, or descend the search rankings because you’re using old technology.

How To Approach Redesigning Your Website

Deciding whether your website needs a new coat of paint is one thing. But how do you actually redesign it? Here’s a quickstart guide for successful website redesign:

1. Gather Data

If you want your new look to have the desired outcomes for your brand, it’s vital to have a solid redesign strategy. This starts with defining your redesign goals and identifying your target customers or readers.

Use the results of your competitive analysis to guide your work here, and use heat maps to figure out the most important parts of your existing design.

You could also create some customer personas to get a deep understanding of who your fresh design should be aimed at.

2. Seek Inspiration

Once you have a strong grasp on your aims, start thinking about what kind of site you want to build.

The best place to start is by looking at other websites in your niche (and elsewhere). Screenshot the ones that you like and save them as inspiration. Whether you’re working with a professional design team or handling the design process yourself, these reference images can be really instructive.

3. Create A Draft Sitemap

How users navigate your site is a critical part of the whole redesign plan, so it’s a good idea to review the underlying structure of your site. (This particularly applies if you’re planning to introduce new features.)

Is there a more intuitive hierarchy you could adopt? If so, draft a new sitemap. This will help you or your design team to build a user interface that aligns with your business objectives. You want to make sure that visitors can find content and buyers can locate products.

4. Develop Your New Design Concept

Now you have the skeleton of your site in place, you can start dressing those lovely bones.

Your new design should be an extension of your style guides and brand guidelines. If you don’t have these yet, now is a good time to create them.

The aim here is to ensure that your redesigned site matches the general vibe of your organization. Once you have some concepts in place, try asking for feedback from members of your target audience and then refine your plan.

5. Build, Launch, And Iterate

Finally, we can enter the main design phase. Build out the first draft of your new design (including the mobile version). Run it through the performance tests we mentioned earlier, and be sure to try out every element.

Once you’re feeling confident, you can launch your redesign. Be sure to gather feedback from earlier users, and use these insights to make adjustments. Effective web design is rarely a one-shot process; iteration is the key to success.

Upgrade More Than The Design

Redesigning a website is a significant project. But as we have discovered, putting off the short-term pain can lead to much bigger problems. If your site seems to be lagging behind the competition, you might as well bite the bullet and reap the rewards.

If the entire process seems too much, you can always ask our expert designers to handle the redesign for you. With over 20 years in the business, our team knows how to craft a new site that perfectly matches your brand and goals.

And don’t forget, the most beautiful website won’t achieve anything unless you have the right hosting. All our plans come with a 100% Uptime Guarantee, one-click installers, and 24/7 support.

Sign up today to see what great hosting can do for your freshly updated site!

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The post Time For A Website Redesign? 7 Ways To Know appeared first on Website Guides, Tips & Knowledge.

And in 2024, you have a lot of options to choose from. There are text editors that prioritize simplicity and user-friendliness, making them perfect for beginners or those who need a distraction-free environment for writing. Others are powerhouses of functionality, offering extensive customization options, advanced code management features, and integrations that appeal to seasoned developers. With so many options, how do you choose the one that’s right for you?

We’ve compiled a comprehensive and up-to-date list of the best text editors available, plus key features, compatibility details, and other criteria you should consider when choosing a text editor for your needs. After reading this article, you should be able to confidently select a text editor that not only fits your immediate needs but also supports your evolving skill set and projects. Let’s get started.

Choosing The Right Text Editor For Your Needs

Focusing on the features that align with your specific needs can help you narrow down the enormous selection of text editors to find the one that suits you best. Whether you’re coding, designing, or writing, the right tool can make all the difference in your productivity and efficiency.

Features For Use Case

No matter what field you come from, the right text editor needs to be compatible with your platform. It should also be user-friendly, especially if you’re a beginner.

What To Look For If You’re A Developer

• Language support and syntax highlighting. Essential for readability and efficiency, syntax highlighting differentiates code elements, making it easier to write and debug. Ensure your editor supports the programming languages you use.
• Integrated Development Environment (IDE) features. Features like code completion, error checking, and integrated debugging can significantly speed up your development process.
• Version control integration. Integration with systems like Git helps track changes and collaborate on projects.
• Customizability and extensibility. The ability to customize the interface and add functionalities through plugins or extensions allows you to tailor the editor to your specific needs.

What To Look For If You’re A Web Designer

• Live preview and editing. Real-time preview features help you to see changes instantly as you code, which is invaluable for web design.
• Support for different web languages. Make sure the editor supports HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other web development languages you might use in different projects and settings.
• Integration with design tools. Some text editors offer integrations or plugins for design tools, making it easier to incorporate design elements into your web projects.
• Responsive design features. Tools that aid in creating responsive designs can be a significant advantage in the mobile-first era.

What To Look For If You’re A Writer

• Distraction-free writing mode. A clean, minimal interface helps keep focus on writing without unnecessary distractions.
• Document organization. Features like tabs, project views, or document outlines can help you organize your writing projects efficiently.
• Formatting and markdown support. For those who publish online, markdown support is essential for easy formatting.
• Version control and automatic backup. While not as critical as for developers, version control can be useful for tracking revisions and backing up your work.

Compatibility

Make sure the text editor is compatible with the operating system you use, whether that’s Windows, macOS, Linux, or others. It should also be able to handle the file types you work with regularly. This is especially important for developers and web designers who deal with various code files.

Online Editors Vs. Offline Editors

Online editors can be accessed from any device with an internet connection, which makes them more flexible. They also may include real-time collaboration features, which can be invaluable for team projects.

Offline editors are installed on your machine, typically offering better performance and reliability.

When deciding between an online or offline editor, consider how your data is stored and managed. This may impact your choice based on the sensitivity of your work.

Free Or Premium

Free editors can be very capable, but premium editors might offer more advanced features or better support. Premium editors often provide a more extensive set of features and integrations. Evaluate if these additional features justify the cost based on your needs. Paid editors may also offer more frequent updates and dedicated support, which can be invaluable for professional or commercial work.

The Top 11 Text Editors

1. UltraEdit

UltraEdit is a versatile and powerful text editor known for handling complex and large files with ease. Initially released in 1994, it has evolved into a tool that caters to a wide range of professional needs, including coding, text manipulation, and file sorting.

Key features:

• Large file handling: Capable of efficiently handling files of any size, a standout feature for handling massive data or log files.
• Customizable interface: Offers a highly customizable interface, including themes, layouts, and toolbars, allowing users to tailor the environment to their preferences.
• Multi-carets and multi-select: Enhances editing efficiency by allowing users to edit in multiple places simultaneously.
• Robust search: Features a powerful search function, including regular expressions, search in files, and more.
• Syntax highlighting and code folding: Supports a wide range of programming languages with syntax highlighting and code folding for easier navigation.

Usability:
UltraEdit has a steeper learning curve compared to more basic text editors, due to its extensive feature set. However, it offers comprehensive documentation and support, making it manageable for beginners who put in the work to learn its many features.

Platform compatibility:
UltraEdit is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it a versatile option for users across different operating systems.

Best suited for:
UltraEdit is best suited for advanced users such as developers, programmers, and data professionals who need a robust and powerful tool for complex editing tasks. Its capability to handle large files also makes it ideal for professionals dealing with large datasets or logs.

2. BBEdit

BBEdit is a professional HTML and text editor for macOS, known for its reliability and performance. Developed by Bare Bones Software, it’s a popular choice among macOS users for web design and development, as well as for general-purpose text editing.

Key features:

• Rich text and HTML editing: Offers powerful tools for text, HTML, and markdown editing, making it ideal for web designers and content creators.
• Grep pattern matching: Utilizes advanced search and replace capabilities, including regular expression (grep) support.
• Code folding and syntax highlighting: Supports a wide array of programming languages and file formats with syntax highlighting and code folding.
• Integrated file management: Features a built-in file browser for easy management of local and remote files.
• Scripting and automation: Supports AppleScript and macOS Unix scripting, allowing for extensive customization and automation.

Usability:
BBEdit is well known for its clean and intuitive interface, making it accessible for beginners while still providing the depth of features required by advanced users. Its well-organized menus and extensive documentation further aid in usability.

Platform compatibility:
BBEdit is exclusively available for macOS, catering specifically to the Apple ecosystem.

Best suited for:
BBEdit is a great choice for macOS users at various proficiency levels. It’s particularly well-suited for web designers and developers due to its rich set of HTML and text editing tools, as well as for writers and content creators looking for a robust markdown and text editor.

3. Visual Studio Code

Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a free, open-source text editor developed by Microsoft. It’s highly regarded in the programming community for its versatility, feature-rich environment, and support for many different programming languages.

Key features:

• Extensibility: A vast marketplace of extensions allows users to add new languages, themes, debuggers, and to connect to additional services.
• Smart code completion: Offers context-aware code completion, parameter info, quick info, and member lists, enhancing coding efficiency.
• Integrated Git control: Built-in Git support provides easy access to source control features without leaving the editor.
• Debugging tools: Comes with powerful built-in debugging tools, eliminating the need for a separate debugging tool.
• Customizable workspace: Users can adjust settings and keyboard shortcuts, and install extensions to personalize their workspace.

Usability:
VS Code strikes a balance between functionality and user-friendliness. Its interface is intuitive enough for beginners, while its extensive customization and advanced features cater to the needs of experienced developers.

Platform compatibility:
VS Code is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Best suited for:
Visual Studio Code is an excellent choice for many users, from beginners to advanced developers. Its comprehensive features and support for multiple programming languages make it ideal for software developers, web developers, and data scientists. The availability of extensions also makes it adaptable for almost any programming need or preference.

4. Sublime Text

Sublime Text is a sophisticated text editor known for its speed, ease of use, and powerful features. It’s well-loved by developers for its smooth performance and minimalistic interface, making it ideal for code, markup, and prose. Its blend of simplicity, powerful search capabilities, and extensive customization options have made it a popular choice among software developers, web designers, and writers alike.

Key features:

• Goto anything: This feature allows quick navigation to files, symbols, or lines with simple keystrokes.
• Multiple selections: Users can make multiple changes simultaneously, enhancing editing efficiency.
• Highly customizable: Sublime Text offers various customization options, including key bindings, menus, snippets, macros, and more.
• Package control: An extensive ecosystem of plugins and themes, easily accessible through an integrated package manager.
• Split editing: Supports editing files side-by-side or editing two locations in one file, enhancing the ease of working with multiple files or large codebases.

Usability:
Sublime Text is known for its clean and uncluttered interface — easy for beginners to navigate yet powerful enough for advanced users. It’s designed to be fast and responsive, even with large files.

Platform compatibility:
Sublime Text is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Best suited for:
Sublime Text is a great option for users of all skill levels, but it’s particularly appealing to developers and programmers who value speed and efficiency in their workflow. Its powerful editing features and customizability also make it a strong choice for web designers and content writers who need a versatile and reliable text editor.

5. WebStorm

WebStorm is a powerful and intelligent IDE specifically designed for JavaScript and related technologies. Developed by JetBrains, it offers a comprehensive set of tools for complex client-side development and server-side development with Node.js. WebStorm is known for its advanced coding assistance, intelligent code navigation, and fast error detection, making it a favorite among professional web developers.

Key features:

• Smart code completion: Tailored for JavaScript, it provides context-aware code completion for faster and more accurate coding.
• Powerful navigation and refactoring: Helps easily navigate code and ensures safe refactoring across the entire project.
• Built-in debugging: Simplifies the debugging process by allowing users to debug applications directly within the IDE.
• Testing tools integrations: Supports testing frameworks like Jest, Mocha, and others, making testing more efficient.
• Version control: Offers seamless integration with Git, GitHub, Mercurial, and other VCS.

Usability:
WebStorm is designed with professionals in mind, and while it’s packed with features, it might have a steeper learning curve for beginners. However, its intelligent features and integrations can significantly boost productivity once mastered.

Platform compatibility:
WebStorm is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Best suited for:
WebStorm is best suited for intermediate to advanced web developers who require a robust and intelligent environment for JavaScript development. It’s particularly effective for those working with modern frameworks and libraries like React or Angular. WebStorm’s rich set of features and integrations makes it a powerful tool for full-stack development and large-scale web applications.

6. Notepad++

Notepad++ is a popular, free, open source text and source code editor primarily designed for Windows. It’s known for its simplicity, lightweight nature, and efficiency. Notepad++ supports various programming languages and is praised for its utility for coding, as well as for general text editing tasks. It’s a great choice for those looking for a basic but powerful editor, especially for quick edits or small-scale development projects.

Key features:

• Syntax highlighting and syntax folding: Supports a multitude of programming languages, providing easy readability and organization of code.
• Regular expression search and replace: Offers advanced search and replace capabilities, which are particularly useful for text manipulation and editing.
• Plugin support: While lightweight, it can be extended with plugins to add additional functionalities.
• Tabbed document interface: Allows opening multiple documents simultaneously in a single window for easy navigation and comparison.

Usability:
Notepad++ is well-known for being straightforward and user-friendly. It’s an excellent choice for beginners due to its simplicity and ease of use. The software is also very lightweight, ensuring quick startup and smooth performance, even on older hardware.

Platform compatibility:
Notepad++ is primarily designed for Windows. While it can be run on other operating systems (like macOS and Linux) using compatibility layers, it functions best on Windows.

Best suited for:
Notepad++ is ideal for users who need a simple, effective, and lightweight text editor, particularly software developers and web designers working in a Windows environment. Its ease of use also makes it a good option for beginners and those who need a quick, reliable tool for smaller coding projects or basic text editing tasks.

7. CoffeeCup HTML Editor

CoffeeCup HTML Editor is a specialized tool designed specifically for web design and development. Focused on HTML editing, it offers a mix of visual editing features and hand-coding tools. It’s tailored for users who are looking to create, edit, and manage HTML and CSS files for websites, ranging from beginners to intermediate developers. The editor is known for its user-friendly interface and helpful features that streamline web design processes.

Key features:

• Split-screen preview: Allows users to see the live preview of their HTML and CSS code changes in real-time.
• Comprehensive tag reference: Offers a helpful reference for HTML tags, attributes, and values for quick and easy coding.
• Templates and themes: Comes with a variety of pre-designed templates and themes that can be used as a starting point for web projects.
• Code validation tool: Includes tools to validate HTML and CSS, ensuring that the code adheres to current web standards.
• SEO and analytics tools: Provides features to optimize web pages for search engines and integrate analytics.

Usability:
CoffeeCup HTML Editor is particularly user-friendly for those who are new to web development or prefer a more guided approach. The interface is intuitive, and the inclusion of templates and comprehensive tag references helps beginners get started quickly.

Platform compatibility:
CoffeeCup HTML Editor is primarily designed for Windows. Its focus on this platform allows it to offer a smooth and integrated experience for Windows users.

Best suited for:
This editor is best suited for web designers and developers who are at the beginner to intermediate level, especially those working on HTML and CSS projects. Its range of features and user-friendly approach make it a great tool for those who are learning web development or need a straightforward tool for building and managing websites.

8. TextMate

TextMate is a versatile and powerful text editor designed for macOS. It combines a minimalistic interface with a rich feature set, making it a favorite among developers and writers who use Mac products. TextMate is known for its ability to handle a wide variety of programming languages, along with its unique approach to project management and customization.

Key features:

• Bundles for different languages: TextMate supports multiple languages and workflows through the use of ‘bundles’, which are collections of syntax definitions, commands, and templates.
• Macro recording and playback: Offers the ability to record and playback keystrokes to automate repetitive tasks.
• Clipboard history: Keeps a history of clipboard items, enhancing coding and editing efficiency.
• Project management: Provides a convenient way to manage and navigate large projects with multiple files.
• Regular expression search and replace: Advanced search capabilities make it easier to modify and manage complex documents.

Usability:
TextMate balances functionality with simplicity. Its interface is clean and user-friendly, suitable for beginners, yet it packs a powerful set of features for more advanced users. The learning curve is moderate, and macOS users often find it intuitive.

Platform compatibility:
TextMate is exclusively available for macOS. This focus allows it to integrate tightly with the macOS environment, offering a smooth experience for Mac users.

Best suited for:
TextMate is ideal for macOS users across various proficiency levels, from beginners to advanced users. It’s particularly appealing to software developers, web designers, and writers who appreciate a blend of simplicity and power. Its project management features and extensive language support also make it a good choice for those working on large-scale projects or in diverse programming environments.

9. Espresso

Espresso is a streamlined and powerful web development tool designed specifically for macOS. It focuses on simplifying the process of web design and development, integrating features like live styling, visual layout, and streamlined code editing. Espresso is popular among web designers and developers for its elegant interface and its emphasis on efficiency and real-time feedback.

Key features:

• Live preview: Provides real-time previews of your web projects, along with an X-ray feature for inspecting and adjusting layouts directly in the preview.
• CSS editing tools: Features powerful CSS editing tools, including visual navigation and dynamic styling with live editing.
• Code folding and syntax highlighting: Supports various web languages with features like code folding and syntax highlighting, enhancing readability and organization.
• Snippet management: Allows for the creation, use, and organization of snippets, speeding up the coding process.
• Integrated workflow: Seamlessly integrates file management, FTP/SFTP publishing, and project organization, all within a streamlined interface.

Usability:
Espresso is known for its user-friendly interface, making it a good choice for beginners and professionals alike. The tool is designed to be intuitive, allowing users to quickly adapt and enhance their web development workflow.

Platform compatibility:
Espresso is exclusively available for macOS.

Best suited for:
Espresso is ideal for web designers and developers using macOS who are looking for a tool that combines coding efficiency with visual design capabilities. Its focus on live editing and streamlined workflow makes it appealing to those involved in front-end web development and design, especially those working with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

10. Bluefish

Bluefish is a powerful editor targeted toward programmers and web developers, offering a lightweight, fast, and versatile editing environment. It supports various programming and markup languages but is primarily known for its robust tools in web development. Bluefish combines ease of use for beginners with powerful features for advanced users, making it a well-rounded choice for editing dynamic and interactive websites.

Key features:

• Multi-language support: Offers robust support for HTML, XHTML, CSS, XML, PHP, C, Java, JavaScript, SQL, and many more.
• Code navigation and auto-completion: Facilitates code navigation and includes auto-completion for tags, variables, and custom code snippets.
• Advanced search and replace: Comes with powerful search and replace tools, including support for regular expressions.
• Project management features: Helps organize and manage large projects.

Usability:
While Bluefish is packed with features, it still has a user-friendly interface. Its design and functionalities are accessible for beginners, and it provides the depth required by more experienced users.

Platform compatibility:
Bluefish is highly versatile in terms of platform compatibility. It’s available for Linux, Windows, macOS, Solaris, and FreeBSD.

Best suited for:
Bluefish is a versatile and powerful choice for web developers and programmers, especially those who work across various programming languages and frameworks. Its balance of advanced features and ease of use makes it suitable for both beginners and experienced users. The software is particularly suited for those working on complex web projects or large codebases.

11. Vim

Vim, short for Vi Improved, is a configurable text editor built to make text editing as efficient as possible. It is an advanced version of the Unix editor Vi, known for its power, flexibility, and efficiency. Vim is a command-line editor and is considered one of the most complex yet powerful text editors used in programming and other text editing tasks. It’s particularly favored in the Linux world, but has a dedicated user base across various platforms.

Key features:

• Modal editing: Vim operates in different modes, primarily the insert mode (for entering text) and the command mode (for executing commands).
• Extensive customization: Users can customize Vim extensively with scripts, making it highly adaptable to individual needs.
• Powerful search and replace: Features advanced pattern matching and search and replace capabilities.
• Vast plugin ecosystem: The Vim community has created many plugins for extending its functionality.
• Keyboard-centric operation: Designed for use without a mouse, enhancing speed and efficiency.

Usability:
Vim has a steep learning curve, especially for users not familiar with command-line interfaces. It is almost entirely keyboard-driven, which can be challenging to master but offers unparalleled efficiency once learned.

Platform compatibility:
Vim is available on multiple platforms, including Unix, Linux, Windows, and macOS.

Best suited for:
Vim is best suited for advanced users, particularly developers and programmers who are comfortable with command-line environments and need a highly efficient and customizable editing tool. Its robustness and efficiency make it a favorite for tasks that require extensive text manipulation and coding, especially in Unix-like environments.

Text Editor FAQs

What are the best simple text editors?

For simple text editing, Notepad++ (Windows) and BBEdit (macOS) are excellent choices. They offer user-friendly interfaces with essential features like syntax highlighting and search and replace functions. These editors are ideal for straightforward text manipulation without the complexity of more advanced tools.

What are the best text editors for writing?

For writing, especially those focused on coding or technical documentation, Visual Studio Code and Sublime Text are top choices. They provide clean interfaces, distraction-free modes, and extensive customization options, making them good picks for a variety of writing tasks, including technical writing and scripting.

What are the best text editors for note-taking?

For note-taking, especially in contexts like coding or technical documentation, Sublime Text and Notepad++ are excellent choices. Sublime Text’s distraction-free mode and project management capabilities make it great for organizing and editing notes efficiently. Notepad++, with its straightforward interface and customizable features, is well-suited for quick and efficient note-taking, particularly on Windows systems.

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The same basic principles of home renovations are also at play when redesigning your website to capitalize on modern design trends, improve user experience, and enhance business opportunities. Most site redesigns require more than just cosmetic changes to be truly effective, though, meaning the process can be daunting. That’s why we’ve created this resource: the website redesign checklist.

The fiercely independent can learn how to design a website from scratch using only HTML/CSS, but seasoned developers and website beginners alike often prefer starting with a template to get a head start on design.

Whichever route you want to take, this checklist will help you achieve an effective redesign without getting overwhelmed by color choices or going a little too overboard with that sledgehammer.

Benchmark Website KPIs

via GIPHY

Before diving into a website redesign, you must set clear, measurable goals. Just like a home renovation project where you measure the rooms before buying furniture, benchmarking your website’s Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) sets the foundation for a successful redesign. These metrics are your compass, guiding each decision to ensure it aligns with your overall objectives.

Start by identifying the KPIs most relevant to your website’s purpose and business goals. For example, an e-commerce site might have KPIs like conversion rate, average order value, or cart abandonment rate. If your site is focused on content, you might watch metrics like page views, bounce rate, and time on site.

With your business-relevant KPIs in place, it’s time to analyze your current website’s performance. Tools like Google Analytics offer deep insights into user behavior and site performance. Look at your current metrics and document them. This gives you a clear starting point and helps you set realistic and specific goals for your redesign. For example, aiming for a 20% increase in user engagement is more actionable than a vague goal like “improving user experience.”

Set Goals

Having benchmarked your website’s KPIs, the next step in your website redesign journey is goal setting. This stage is about translating the data-driven insights you’ve gathered into actionable objectives for your redesign. Think of it as creating the blueprint for your renovation project, ensuring every change serves a purpose and contributes to the end goal.

Here are some tips:

• Establish clear and specific goals. Rather than broad statements like “increase traffic,” aim for specific targets such as “increase monthly visitors by 30% within six months post-launch.” Precise goals not only provide a clear direction but also make it easier to measure success.
• Align your goals with your broader business objectives. If your business aims to expand into new markets, your website redesign should include features and content that cater to this expansion. Similarly, if brand awareness is a priority, the redesign should focus on elements that enhance brand visibility and recognition.
• User experience (UX) should be at the forefront of your redesign. This could include improving site navigation, speeding up load times, or creating more engaging content. Setting UX goals is all about enhancing the user’s journey through your site, making it more enjoyable, intuitive, and efficient.
• Don’t overlook the technical and aesthetic components. Goals in this area might include adopting responsive design for better mobile experiences, upgrading to a more SEO-friendly platform, or refreshing the visual design to reflect modern trends.
• In the fast-evolving digital landscape, scalability and adaptability are vital. Set goals that not only address your current needs but also leave room for future growth and changes. This could mean choosing flexible design templates, planning for content updates, or ensuring your site structure can accommodate new features or technologies.
• Balance aspirational goals with practicality. Consider your resources, timeline, and constraints. While it’s good to aim high, your goals should be achievable within the parameters you’re working with.

Site Structure

The structure of your website is the foundation upon which all other aspects are built. A well-planned site structure means easier navigation, a better user experience, and improved SEO performance. At this step, you’ll map out how the pages and content on your site are linked and organized, setting the stage for a cohesive and user-friendly redesign.

Sitemap

A sitemap is essentially a blueprint of your website. It lists all the major pages and, ideally, shows how they are interconnected. Another way to think of it is as a flowchart that outlines your site’s hierarchy and helps you visualize how content is organized.

A sitemap serves several important purposes:

• User navigation: Just like a well-planned house where each room is easily accessible, a sitemap helps website visitors easily find what they’re looking for. A logical flow between pages enhances user experience and reduces bounce rates.
• SEO benefits: Search engines use sitemaps to crawl and understand the layout of your site. A clear sitemap can improve your site’s SEO, as it makes it easier for search engines to index your content.
• Planning and organization: During a redesign, a sitemap acts as a guide. It helps you identify which pages need to be updated, merged, or removed. This process helps you keep track of your efforts, eliminate outdated content, and ensure that all information on your new site is relevant and useful.

When creating your sitemap for your redesign:

1. Start by reviewing your existing site and content. Identify what should be kept, updated, or removed.
2. Establish a clear hierarchy of pages. The most critical or frequently accessed content should be easily accessible, preferably from the homepage.
3. Consider how users will navigate from one page to another. Logical and intuitive navigation paths are essential for a good user experience.
4. Use keyword research to inform your page titles and descriptions. This approach not only benefits users but also aids in search engine optimization.
5. If your redesign involves adding new content or features, incorporate these into your sitemap. Plan how these new elements will integrate with the existing structure.
6. Remember, there are many tools available that can help you create a visual representation of your sitemap. This can be helpful for the redesign team and other stakeholders who need to understand the structure.

Design & UX

When redesigning a website, the design and UX combine creativity and functionality. This means creating a site that’s visually engaging, easy to navigate, and aligned with user needs and expectations.

UX Research

UX research begins with a deep understanding of your audience. Who are your users? What are their needs, preferences, and pain points? Tools like user surveys, interviews, and analytics data can provide insights into your audience’s behavior and how they interact with your website.

Gather and analyze feedback from your current site. Identify common issues users face, such as navigation difficulties, content gaps, or performance issues. This feedback will help you zero in on the changes needed in your redesign.

It can also be helpful to take a look at your competitors’ websites. What are they doing well? Where do they fall short? This analysis can reveal opportunities for differentiation and improvement in your redesign.

Wireframe

A wireframe is the skeletal framework of your website. It outlines the basic layout and elements of each page. Think of it like the floor plan in a house, showing where each piece of furniture goes – but not what it looks like.

At this stage, the focus is on the placement of elements such as headers, footers, navigation menus, and content areas. The goal is to create a logical, intuitive flow that guides users through your site.

Wireframing is an iterative process. It often starts with basic sketches and evolves into more detailed digital mockups. Soliciting regular feedback during this phase can help you refine the layout and build your confidence that it meets user needs.

Design Inspiration

Now, you turn to the aesthetic aspect of your redesign. Look for design inspiration in various places – other websites, art, nature, architecture, etc. Inspiration can come from anywhere!

Your website’s design should reflect your brand’s identity and values. Choose color schemes, fonts, and imagery that align with your brand and resonate with your target audience.

While creativity is important, usability should never be compromised. The design should enhance the user experience, not hinder it. The design choices you make, such as color contrasts and font sizes, should contribute to the site’s accessibility and ease of use.

Stay informed about the latest web design trends, but be selective in implementing them. Trends can be a great source of inspiration, but your design should also be timeless and not solely dependent on current fads.

According to UX veteran Peter Morville, there are seven core facets of user experience that anyone should consider when designing their website.

SEO

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a critical component of any website redesign. Good SEO means your website is easily findable and ranks well on search engines. This step of your redesign focuses on preserving and enhancing your site’s SEO value through careful planning and strategic execution.

Measure Keyword Rankings

Begin by assessing where your website currently stands in terms of keyword rankings. Use SEO tools to track the rankings of your most important keywords. This data provides a baseline against which you can measure the impact of your redesign on your site’s search engine performance.

Identify which keywords are driving the most traffic to your site. These high-performing keywords are critical to maintain or improve upon in your redesign. Make sure that your new site structure and content strategy continue to support these keywords effectively.

Download All Pages

Compile a list of all the pages on your current website. This can be done using tools like website crawlers, which provide a complete picture of your site’s structure and pages. This list will help you make sure no important content is lost during the transition to your new design.

Evaluate the performance of each page. Understand which pages are most valuable in terms of traffic, engagement, and conversions. This analysis helps prioritize which pages need to be retained or improved in the redesign.

Catalog Backlinks

Backlinks, or links from other websites to yours, are a vital part of SEO. Use SEO tools to catalog all existing backlinks to your site. This inventory allows you to understand which external sites are contributing to your site’s authority.

Identify high-quality backlinks that are beneficial for your SEO. During the redesign, maintain or redirect these links to preserve their value.

Plan 301 Redirects

If the URLs of your pages are changing in the redesign, plan for 301 redirects. This is a way to tell search engines that a page has permanently moved to a new location. Redirects ensure that the SEO value of the original page is passed to the new URL without broken links. They also make sure that users and search engines that try to access the old URLs are seamlessly directed to the new pages, maintaining a good user experience.

Keep a detailed record of all the redirects you implement. This documentation will help troubleshoot any issues post-launch and for future website updates.

Content

Content is the essence of your site – you use it to engage users, convey your brand’s message, and enhance SEO. This section focuses on evaluating, strategizing, and updating your content to align with your redesigned site’s goals.

Content Audit

Begin with a thorough audit of your existing content. Catalog all your web pages, blog posts, and other content pieces. Assess each item for its relevance, performance, and alignment with your current business goals and brand voice. Sort each piece of content into one of three categories: still valuable, outdated, or no longer relevant.

As you analyze your content, look for gaps that need filling or topics that could be expanded upon. This will help you build a backlog of content ideas to execute once your redesigned site is up and running.

Competitive Analysis

Look at your competitors’ websites and identify what types of content are performing well for them. This analysis can provide insights into topics that resonate with your audience and areas where your site can offer something unique or superior.

It’s also a good idea to compare your content against industry benchmarks. This kind of comparison helps gauge how your content stacks up in terms of quality, depth, and engagement.

Content Strategy

Your audit and competitive analysis will be the jumping off point for your content strategy. Your strategy should outline the types of content you plan to create, the topics you will cover, and the tone and style that best represent your brand.

The content audit and competitive analysis you did will help make sure your content strategy aligns with user needs and SEO best practices. The content should be valuable to your audience and structured in a way that enhances your site’s search engine visibility.

Update Content

Update and refresh existing content that is still relevant but may need a facelift to match your new site design and updated brand messaging. This process includes revising outdated information, improving readability, and enhancing SEO.

Create (And Delete) Content

Create new content that fills the gaps you identified and aligns with your content strategy. This content should be fresh, engaging, and tailored to meet the interests and needs of your audience.

Delete content that is no longer relevant or does not align with your new site strategy. This keeps your site focused and uncluttered.

Update Internal Links

As you update and restructure your website, check that all internal links are accurate and functional. This process may involve updating links in your content to point to the new URLs if you changed them.

Site Speed And Performance

In the digital age, where attention spans are short, and competition is fierce, your site’s speed and performance are crucial. Just like you wouldn’t want a beautiful house plagued by bad plumbing or electrical issues, a visually stunning website loses its charm if it’s slow or unresponsive. This step in the redesign is all about making sure your redesigned website operates efficiently, providing a fast and seamless experience for every visitor.

Test Load Speeds

Website load speed is a critical factor in user experience and SEO. A fast-loading site keeps users engaged, reduces bounce rates, and ranks better on search engines.

Take advantage of tools like Google PageSpeed Insights, GTmetrix, or Pingdom to test your site’s loading times. These tools measure speed and provide insights into what might be slowing down your site, such as large images, inefficient code, or slow server response times.

Based on the feedback you get from these tools, you can make the necessary adjustments. This could involve optimizing images, minifying CSS and JavaScript files, leveraging browser caching, or upgrading your hosting plan.

Test On Different Devices

With an increasing number of users accessing websites on mobile devices, you have to make sure your site performs just as well across all platforms as it does on desktops. Test your website on various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and desktops, to ensure a consistent – and optimal – user experience.

Different browsers can load websites in slightly different ways. Test your site on multiple browsers (like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge) to ensure it looks and functions as intended across all of them.

Be on the lookout for any device-specific issues, such as touch elements being too close, text being too small to read on mobile devices, or images not loading properly on certain browsers.

Consider adopting a mobile-first design approach, where you design for the smallest screen first and then scale up. This approach ensures that your site is inherently mobile-friendly and can significantly improve site performance on mobile devices.

Before And After You Go Live: Your Comprehensive Website Redesign Checklist

A website redesign is a significant undertaking – just like renovating a house from the ground up. For a smooth transition that maintains the integrity and performance of your website, you need a comprehensive website redesign checklist.

This checklist will guide you through the different phases of the redesign, including critical steps to take before and after going live.

Before Going Live

• Backup your current website. Ensure you have a complete backup of your existing site, including all files and databases.
• Test load speeds. Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to make sure your new design loads quickly and efficiently.
• Optimize for SEO. All pages should be optimized for search engines, including proper use of keywords, meta tags, and alt text for images.
• Check for 404 errors. Crawl your site to find and fix any 404 errors.
• Set up 301 redirects. Implement 301 redirects for all changed URLs to maintain SEO value and user experience.
• Verify internal links. Check all internal links to ensure they point to the correct pages and don’t lead to dead ends.
• Review mobile responsiveness. Test your site on various mobile devices to ensure it’s fully responsive.
• Conduct cross-browser testing. Ensure your site looks and works as intended across different web browsers.
• Validate your code. Use tools like the W3C Markup Validation Service to check for any HTML/CSS errors.
• Ensure accessibility compliance. Check that your website complies with WCAG guidelines for accessibility.
• Test forms and CTAs. Make sure all forms, call-to-action buttons, and interactive elements work correctly.
• Review content. Do a final sweep of your content for any typos, inaccuracies, or outdated information.
• Check load capacity. Perform load testing to make sure your site can handle traffic.
• Secure your site. Check that all security measures, like SSL certificates, are in place.

After Going Live

• Monitor site speed. Continuously check site speed and make improvements as needed.
• Track rankings and traffic. Use tools like Google Analytics to monitor any changes in your traffic and keyword rankings.
• Solicit user feedback. Gather feedback from users about the new design and functionality.
• Fix any post-launch issues. Address any unexpected issues or bugs that arise after launch.
• Update your sitemap. Submit your new sitemap to search engines.
• Monitor 301 redirects and broken links. Keep an eye on redirect performance and fix any broken links.
• Continue to optimize for SEO. Regularly update your content and SEO strategy based on performance data.
• Assess user behavior. Analyze user behavior on the new site and adjust UX/UI elements as needed.
• Regularly update content. Keep your site fresh with regular content updates.
• Maintain security updates. Regularly update security features to protect your site from threats.
• Evaluate and adjust based on goals. Continuously evaluate the site’s performance against your set goals and make adjustments as necessary.

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