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What’s the common denominator of the top-ranking websites in the search results?
You may be surprised by the answer, but it has nothing to do with trying to stuff all information about your products and services on one page. In fact, the opposite.
The most successful and high-performing websites today are all built upon one simple principle.
That is, simplicity, more precisely “minimalism.”
Minimalist design isn’t a fleeting design “fad” that’s here today and gone tomorrow. It’s a tried-and-tested formula that has shown to generate tangible results time and time again. And if you really want to have a site that will convert visitors into customers, then you need to know how it works.
But there’s good news for you.
You do not need a blank check to start from or complex features to accomplish this. All you need is a clever approach to web design services your business will need.
In this free ebook, you will learn all the fundamental principles and tricks of minimalist design and how to apply them in practice for the best results.
Here is what’s in store for you
- Why Minimalist Design Is So Effective
- The Pillars of Minimalist Web Design
- 4 Steps To Take To Implement Minimalism On Your Website
- Common Pitfalls To Avoid
Why Minimalist Design Is So Effective
Minimalism is the preference of 84.6% of users. That is a significant share of the people visiting your website.
But what makes minimalism so popular among web users?
The answer is simple. It’s distraction-free. It’s all about delivering to users what they are looking for without making it look ugly or boring.
Your website should work in a similar way to a physical shop. Spaces should be kept tidy and clean so that your clients can get the necessary information or products as quickly and easily as possible.
This is why the best marketing teams like Boomcycle digital marketing understand that creating powerful web design services your business will need, starts with understanding the psychology of your users. Most people scan websites in a matter of seconds. If they don’t find what they need in those few seconds, they leave.
And this is why…
Websites with a neat design have 30% more engagement. Engagement means spending more time on a site, browsing more pages, and, eventually, turning into a paying customer.
The Pillars of Minimalist Web Design
Now that you know why minimalism works wonders, let’s talk about the actual execution of this approach. The following are the basic principles that separate a mediocre website from a successful and high-performing one.
White Space Is Your Ally
White space is not wasted space. It’s, actually, one of the most powerful tools in a designer’s toolkit. White space gives your content room to breathe. It also directs attention to the areas you want people to focus on.
The mistake many businesses make is that they are afraid of blank space on a website. That is not true. That fear is costing them conversions.
Use white space strategically so that you can:
- Draw attention to the critical elements
- Create a visual hierarchy on the site
- Improve readability
- Make your website appear more high-end
Focus On Typography
The emphasis on typography increases when you cut down on the number of embellishments on your site. When designing with a minimalistic approach, typography takes center stage.
Your typography should effortlessly lead the user through your site’s content. Headers should be prominent and clear. Text in the paragraphs should be easy to read. And the spacing between different text elements should be sufficient to make everything feel organized.
Use Color With Care
Minimalist design doesn’t have to be drab. On the contrary, the intentional and wise use of colors can make your website stand out while still maintaining that clean look.
Start with a neutral base (white, black, and gray) and then add one or two accent colors that can add a bit of spice and draw attention to the essential elements such as buttons and links.
The secret is restraint. When everything is in a different color, nothing stands out.
Establish a Content Hierarchy
This is where most websites drop the ball. They treat all the content equally, but not all content is equal.
The homepage should feature your most important message right away. Secondary information should come next, and tertiary information can either live on subpages or be accessible through your navigation.
Create a hierarchy by:
- Size. The bigger the better for the critical elements.
- Color. Accent color can be used for priority items.
- Position. The most important message or call to action should be at the top and in the center of the screen.
- Spacing. Important elements should have more space around them.
How to Apply Minimalism On Your Site
Ready to put these principles to the test? Follow this step-by-step guide, and you’ll be on your way.
Begin With A Content Audit
Before you can declutter your website, you must know what you are dealing with. Go through every page of your site and ask: does this content serve my users?
Be ruthless here. All elements of your website should justify their presence.
Go Mobile-First
The majority of your users will be accessing your website through mobile devices. So, why on earth would you design for desktop first?
Mobile-first is not a choice here. It’s a must.
Mobile-first design will force you to prioritize. You can’t include everything on your site with the limited space you have on a mobile screen. You will need to be picky about what you include.
Simplify Your Navigation
Complex navigation is minimalism’s worst enemy. Users should be able to locate what they need in three clicks or less.
Keep your menu simple, with five to seven maximum main navigation items, clear and descriptive labels, and logically group related pages together.
Optimize Your Images
Images play a critical role in minimalist design. However, with images, you need fewer, but high-quality, ones, instead of cluttering your site with poor quality ones.
Every image on your site should have a purpose. Product images should be focused on a detail, hero images should set the tone, and background images should complement, not distract, from your content.
Remember, to speed up your site, optimize your image sizes.
Common Pitfalls To Avoid
Even seasoned designers can fall prey to making the following mistakes when implementing minimalist design.
Mixing Minimalism with Boring Design
Minimalism doesn’t imply that your personality, unique value proposition, and visual identity should not shine through.
Don’t Hide Important Information
Some business owners try to take the idea of minimalist design too far. They end up hiding contact information, removing product descriptions or features, and burying vital information under pages and pages of navigation.
Minimalism is about making things clearer, not more obscure. Provide your users with easy access to what they need.
Don’t Forget Accessibility
Clean design should also be accessible to design. Ensure your website meets the standards for color contrast. Check that your fonts are easy to read. Alt text for all your images.
Beautiful design that is inaccessible to certain users is not good design.
Functionality Is As Important As Looks
Visual appeal is crucial. However, functionality is even more so. Your website should function as flawlessly as possible. Make sure your forms are submitted properly. Links work. Pages load quickly.
The Bottom Line
Minimalist design is not a passing “web design trend” that you should jump on the bandwagon of because everybody else is doing it. It is about creating websites that serve the users and your business better.
Users have preferences for sites that are easy on the eye and which help them accomplish their goals as quickly and effortlessly as possible. By reducing distractions, focusing on what matters and providing clear paths to your calls to action, you will create a website that will perform.
Remember these key takeaways:
- White space is your best friend
- Typography and hierarchy are your secret weapons
- Use color intentionally and wisely
- Prioritize mobile-first design
The most powerful websites are not the ones that try to do everything. They are the ones that focus on a few things and do them exceedingly well. This is what minimalist design principles will help you to do.
