The Key To Successful Web Design Is Consistency

Consistency holds tremendous value when it comes to digital interfaces. When you browse the web, you may encounter multiple websites that feature different styles. However, within each style, you may also find that the inner pages have very similar page elements. Those similarities that you experience is often a product of designing with consistency. It is pertinent that you learn how to create a successful web design that encourages typical user behaviors. Your web layouts should be designed to help build trust and teach visitors about repeatable patterns that will enable them to work through your website much quicker.

Consistency in Branding

Web branding is a cavernous topic because you need to take in to account page elements, icons, padding, typefaces, textures, and colors that are related to your brand. However, you should also keep in mind that there is no right or wrong way to brand because there are just other ways that work better for some websites. To get started, it is recommended that you study some of your favorite sites and try to recognize subtleties one would normally not notice. You will be able to get ideas for implementing consistent branding elements in your own projects.

You may find sites that repeat their brand logos everywhere on their site. For instance, sites may have their navigation elements fixated on the top with their logo being repeated on every page. Other sites may also feature similar typeface colors and designs with similar text styles.

Consistency in Layout Styles

Consistent layout styles work well on both singular landing pages and multi-page sites. Hence, do not hesitate to re-use similar elements all throughout the page. Just make sure you mix up the graphics and content. When you repeat certain styles, you are creating a theme on the site. This offers some sort of comfort for users. In addition, consistency tends to breed familiarity and this is actually what you should be aiming for. If you are afraid of getting too lost in repetitive page elements, try to focus on how you can make your interfaces easier to use and what that might entail.

Consistency in Navigation

The area that features your site’s top navigation links should also explain what your site is about and can do. Apart from ensuring that it is well-designed, you will also need to feature stellar copy to sell your pages and let visitors know exactly what is in store for them. The good thing about navigation text is that they can be restyled in an array of ways including writing style, font size, and interface elements such as hamburger menus. As long as you stay consistent and keep those links easy to use, you are on the right track. If you are working with larger navigation menus, you have to consider adding links or sub-menus in a larger list.

Consistency in User Expectations

Whether a website should have clickable links at certain places, or should scroll vertically, most users expect websites to work in a certain way. Although you have full freedom to design these expectations, you should still keep a clear uniform design across the entire layout if you are designing for consistency. Oftentimes, users do not want to think. They just want to act and achieve results without delay. Consistent design can make that happen. So, start doing the thinking for your users to find out what they really need.