It is common knowledge that people do not read content in its entirety. As far back as 1997, the Nielsen Norman Group reported that 79 percent of people scanned through online content. Fortunately, there are ways to implement design to grab attention and ensure that the audience receives your message.
Design Tips
Be Responsive
According to Fortune, 85% of people read their news on mobile devices. With a responsive design, you ensure that your content will adapt to various devices seamlessly. Additionally, Google implemented Mobile-First Indexing, which means that ranking is now based on mobile search. Whether you have a storefront or blog, your design must be mobile-friendly to be successful online.
Make Your Content Scannable
Most people quickly lose interest in reading online. On average, your audience will only read 20% of your content, as Fortune explains. You can draw your reader’s attention to critical points by implementing headings, subheadings, bullets, numbered lists, bold font, and white space.
Leverage Your Brand
Your content must reflect your brand. Use your color palette and design style to your advantage in all your communication. Consistency is critical; it will build trust and make your work stand out from the competition according to Entrepreneur. When someone sees your content, they should immediately know who created it.
Be Visually Interesting
Never underestimate how a carefully placed picture or graphic will influence your audience. An infographic with vital statistics will connect with your reader, even if they only skim the text.
Implementing Design
Creating an effective design for content is easier said than done. Even if you already have a responsive design, there is so much more to consider. Engaging content design must be clean, easy to read, and strategic.
White Space
A scannable page must have whitespace to show transitions, but balance is crucial to success. Too much space will make the page feel long and tedious. Too little space and readers will have difficulty skimming the content.
Font and Scanning
Headings, subheadings, and bold font are fantastic tools to spotlight information. When they are overused, however, the audience is unsure where to focus their attention. Additionally, make sure that the font you choose is easy to read. A cursive font might look appealing, but it is harder to scan.
Color
Ideally, you will have a color palette for your logo and brand to guide you through all design. When implementing color into your content design, remember to do so carefully. Color can make headings and subheadings stand out, but too much begins to look childish.
Images
Graphics and photos are useful in content, but too many become clutter. Additionally, avoid using poor quality pictures in your work. A stretched, pixelated photo does not look professional or appealing. Only use images that excitingly illustrate your message.
In Summary
Design will improve content and engagement. You must never, however, overlook the importance of your words. A beautiful design will not compensate for poorly planned or thought out content. For the best results, beautifully crafted content must merge with the design.. When done correctly, people will understand and respond to your message.For Oklahoma web design and content, contact us. We are always ready to help you tell your story beautifully and effectively.
