Creating an effective website layout is crucial for the success of your online business. While catchy titles, keyword-rich domains, and killer content are important, a complicated navigation system can deter visitors from staying on your site. In order to create a visually appealing and user-friendly layout, it is important to consider certain factors. This article will provide some tips on how to come up with a solid WordPress layout that will attract and retain visitors.
1. Check out what other people are doing:
Start by looking at websites that offer similar products or services and have content similar to yours. Take note of what you like or don’t like about these websites. Pay attention to patterns used, the size of titles, placement of text, and colors used. The goal is to grab the visitor’s attention and draw it towards a certain area of the page. Consistency is key, so ensure that your layout is the same on every page of your site.
2. Don’t go crazy with complex designs:
While graphics and ads can be appealing, too many of them can confuse and distract visitors from the important elements on your site. Overloading your pages with ads in the hopes of getting more clicks will make your site look spammy and drive visitors away. Less is more when it comes to ads and graphics. Conduct tests to find the right balance that will make your site enjoyable to navigate and lead to higher profits.
3. Don’t leave out the fundamentals:
Ensure that your WordPress layout includes essential elements such as a navigation bar at the top for easy access to different pages, separate sections to distinguish between navigation and content, a search bar, and a link back to the home page on every page. These features are crucial for a user-friendly experience.
4. Use “The Fold” to your advantage:
Place important elements “above the fold” to ensure they are noticed by visitors without the need for scrolling. This concept originated from newspapers, where key stories were placed on the upper half of the paper to attract attention. Apply this concept to your website layout to highlight important elements.
5. Make sure all important elements are on every page:
Ensure that important elements are present on every page of your website. This can be achieved through the use of page templates, plugins, and sidebars. By doing so, you increase the chances of visitors noticing and engaging with these elements.
6. Consider the need for a sidebar:
Traditionally, sidebars have been a common element in website layouts. However, more and more website owners and bloggers are opting for layouts without sidebars. Consider whether certain elements traditionally placed in sidebars can survive elsewhere on your site. Many sites have found success without sidebars, as they can reduce clutter and improve usability.
7. Choose between fixed or liquid width web pages:
Decide whether you want to go with a fixed-width or liquid-width format for your website. Fixed-width layouts function similarly on all systems but may require horizontal scrolling. Liquid-width formats can adjust to fill up space but may become too wide on certain screens, requiring users to adjust their browser window size.
When creating your website layout, it is important to do some research and stay updated on new trends in themes and layouts. Pay attention to what others in your industry are doing and develop a sense of what works and what doesn’t. By following these tips, you can create a streamlined and effective layout that will attract and retain visitors to your WordPress site.
