Everything You Should Know About Website Design | Full Guide

Website design is a critical element to the success of any business, online or offline, especially in the 21st century. It is the first thing that potential customers see and it needs to make a good impression. A well-designed website will not only tell visitors who you are and what you do, but it will also give them a reason to stay on your page and learn more about your business.


Table of contents:

  1. What are the 3 types of web design
  2. How do I start designing a website
  3. Can you design a site for free
  4. Cost to have a website
  5. How much does it cost to hire a designer
  6. How do I choose a web design company
  7. Everything about SEO
  8. 7 SEO tips for better ranking
  9. What is included in digital marketing
  10. Cost of digital marketing services

Define: Website Design

Website design is the process of creating user-friendly web pages. This includes specifying the layout, colours, fonts and graphics of the site. In addition, website design also includes the development of webpages and the coding that goes into making a website work.

What are the 3 types of web design?

website design

1. Static Website Design:

A static site is one that is built using only HTML and CSS. These websites are typically used by businesses that don't need frequent update to their content, such as personal pages or small businesses.

2. Dynamic Website Design:

A dynamic web site is one that is built using a Content Management System (CMS). This type of website is perfect for businesses that need to regularly update their content, such as online stores or news sites.

3. Responsive Website Design:

Responsive web development is one that is designed to work on all devices, from desktop computers to mobile phones. This is accomplished by using a responsive layout, which automatically adjusts the websites design to fit the screen size of the device as it is being viewed on.

How do I start design a website?

1. Decide on a layout:

The first step in designing a web is to decide on the layout. This includes deciding on the width and height of the website, as well as the placement of the header, footer and content areas.

2. Choose a colour scheme:

The next step is to choose a colour scheme for the page. This includes choosing two or three colours that will be used throughout the website.

3. Select fonts:

The next step is to select fonts for the website. This includes choosing a font for the header, body text and any special text effects.

4. Add graphics:

The final step is to add graphics to the site. This includes adding images and logos to the website's design.

Can you design a website for free?

Yes. Once you have set up hosting for your site, you will have to design it. This can be done using a variety of development tools, such as WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal. These tools allow you to create a website using templates and without having to learn coding languages.

If you want more control over the design of your website, you can also hire a web designer to create a custom design for you. Just be sure to discuss your requirements with them beforehand so that they understand what you are looking for.

website builder

Website builders

It has been very popular in recent years to use a website builder to create an easy but attractive graphic design. They are easy to use and allow you to create a professional-looking page without any need for coding or design experience. The most popular builders are:

=> Weebly

Weebly is a popular builder that allows you to create a free website. It has a simple drag and drop interface that makes it easy to create a web page. It also has a wide range of templates and features that you can use to create a unique website.

=> WordPress

WordPress is a popular content management system that allows you to create a free web page. It has a wide range of themes and plugins that you can use to customize your website. It also has a powerful editor that makes it easy to create and edit content.

=> Wix

Another great builder that is easy to use and has a wide range of templates and features. If you seeking a basic and not overly complicated site, this could be a good place to start.

=> Shopify

If you have plans to build an eCommerce site, then Shopify could be a great option for you. It has everything you need to create a professional online store, including a payment gateway, shipping calculator and inventory management.

=> WooCommerce

This is a popular WordPress plugin that allows you to turn your regular WordPress website into an online store. It has a wide range of features and can be customized to suit your needs.

Cost to have a website

Domain Names

The first step in designing your website is choosing a domain name. This is the web address of your site, and it is important to choose one that is easy to remember and representative of your business. You can purchase a domain name through a domain registrar such as GoDaddy or Namecheap. Domain names usually cost around $10 to $15 per year.

Hosting

Once you have chosen a domain name, you will need to set up hosting for your site. This is where your website's files will be stored. You can either host your site yourself or use a web hosting service such as DreamHost, Bluehost or HostGator. It cost anywhere from $5 to $100 per month.

Some website builders, such as Wix and Weebly, offer free hosting, an SSL certificate and a free domain name when you sign up for their service. Also, there are further costs like plugins, and themes. These can range from $0 to $100/year, depending on what you need.

For an eCommerce website, there are also transaction fees that are charged by the payment processor, such as PayPal or Stripe. These fees usually range from 2.9% to 3.5%.

How much does it cost to hire a website designer UK?

This will depend on the designer that you choose and the level of solution you require. Some designers charge by the hour, while others may charge a flat fee for designing and building a page. Generally, the cost of hiring a website designer will be between £500 and £5,000.

website design cost

Freelance website designer

If you're on a budget, then you may want to consider hiring a freelance website designer. This can be a great option as it allows you to get a pro-looking web at a fraction of the cost.

The average hourly rate for a freelance web designer in the UK is £20-£35 per hour.

To find a freelance web designer, you can look up Upwork, Fiverr or PeoplePerHour.

Benefits of Freelancers

1. You can get a professional-looking website at a fraction of the cost.

2. You can often get the work done faster as they are not tied down to a 9-5 job.

3. They are often more flexible and can work around your schedule.

Drawbacks of Freelancers

1. They may not have the same level of experience as a larger design agency.

2. They may not be available when you need them.

3. There is always the risk that they may not deliver on their promises.

Web design company

If you have a larger budget, then you may want to consider hiring an agency to design and build your website. This is a great option if you need a more complex website or if you need help with branding and marketing services. The average cost of hiring a web design company in the UK is £2,000-£10,000.

Benefits of Agencies

1. They have a lot of experience and can often offer a higher level of service including software development, mobile apps, graphic design etc.

2. They are reliable and able to help with any customer project.

3. They often have a team of designers, developers and marketers that can help you to grow your business and ensure security.

Drawback of Agencies

1. They can be more expensive than hiring a freelancer.

2. Delivery time might be longer.

3. Availability of the web agency.

How do I choose a web design company?

When choosing a web design company, it's important to consider the following factors/details:

website design agency
  1. Experience - Make sure the company has a lot of experience in designing and building websites or mobile apps. This will ensure that they have the skills, solutions and knowledge to create a new website that meets your industry needs.
  2. Portfolio - Take a look at the company's portfolio to see examples of their previous web design work. This will give you an idea of the quality of their work and what type of websites they are capable of creating.
  3. Price - The price for designing and building a website can vary significantly, so it's important to shop around and compare prices. Be sure to ask for web design quotes from multiple companies before making a decision.
  4. Reviews - Read reviews from past clients to get an idea of what it's like working with a web design company. These efforts will help you to make an informed decision about whether or not to hire them.

Everything about SEO

One of the most important aspects of website design is SEO. This is the process of optimizing your website so that it ranks higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). There are many things you can do to improve your S E O, such as adding keywords to your title tags and meta descriptions, optimizing your images, and blogging regularly.

Google also takes into account the user experience when ranking websites. So make sure that your website is easy to navigate and that all of your content is relevant and interesting to your audience. The two main categories in S E O are:

OnPage search engine optimization

Is the process of optimizing your website's individual pages for search engines. There are many things you can do to improve your OnPage SEO, such as adding keywords to your title tags and meta descriptions, optimizing your images, and blogging regularly. You can also use Google's Webmaster Tools to help you track and optimize your website for better visibility.

OffPage search engine optimization

Is the process of optimizing your website for external factors, such as building links from other websites. This is done in order to improve your ranking. There are many things you can do to build links, such as guest blogging, directory submissions, and social bookmarking. You can also use Google's PageSpeed Insights tool to help you optimize your website for faster loading times.

7 SEO tips for better ranking

  1. Research your keywords -  Before you start optimizing your website, you need to know which keywords you want to target. Use Google's Keyword Planner tool to research the keywords that are relevant to your business.
  2. Title tags and meta descriptions -  Adding keywords to your title tags and meta descriptions will help your new website to rank higher.
  3. Optimize your images -  Adding keywords to your image file names and alt text will help your website to rank higher on results pages.
  4. Blog regularly -  Blogging regularly will help you to attract new visitors to your website and keep your existing visitors engaged.
  5. Build links -  Building links from other websites is a great way to get started to improve rankings and traffic.
  6. Social media -  Promoting your website on SM will help you to attract new visitors and improve your website's rankings.
  7. Google webmaster tools -  Using Google's Webmaster Tools will help you to track your website's rankings and optimize your website for better visibility.
seo services

SEO company costs

When it comes to web design and traffic, S E O is one of the most important aspects to consider. However, S E O can be expensive, and the cost of hiring an S E O company can vary significantly. So how do you know if you're getting a good deal?

  1. You should ask the company for a list of their previous clients. This will give you a better idea of the quality of their work. You should also ask for quotes from multiple companies before making a decision.
  2. Read reviews from past clients. This will give you a better idea of what it's like working with the company. Once you've narrowed down your options, you should ask the companies for case studies or examples of their previous work.
  3. Ask the company about their approach to S E O. This will help you to determine if they are a good fit for your business.

The following price list is from FIT DESIGN London:

- OnPage SEO: start from £99

- OffPage SEO: start from £199

- SEO packages: start from £399/month

What is digital marketing?

Digital marketing is the process of promoting products or services online. It includes the use of digital channels such as websites, social media, email, and text messaging to reach a target market. It can be used to achieve a variety of business goals, such as increasing brand awareness, generating leads, and driving sales.

What is included in digital marketing?

Digital marketing includes a wide range of activities, all of which are designed to help you reach your target audience online. Some of the most common digital marketing activities include:

  1. Search engine optimisation:

This is the process of improving your website's ranking in search results, making it more visible to potential customers.

  1. Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising:

This is a form of advertising where you pay each time someone clicks on your advert. It's a great way to get your website seen by more people, but it can be expensive if you're not careful.

  1. Social media marketing:

This involves creating and sharing content on media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The aim is to build relationships with potential and existing customers and ultimately encourage them to buy your product or use your service.

  1. Content marketing:

This is all about creating informative and engaging content that will interest your target audience. It could be anything from blog posts and articles to videos and info graphics. FlexClip is useful if you want to create engaging videos for your target audience.

  1. Email marketing:

This involves sending newsletters, special offers, and other promotional material to people on your email list. It's a great way to keep customers informed about what you're up to, and it can also help generate sales.

How does web design affect marketing?

Web design is one of the most important aspects of digital marketing. A well-designed website will help to attract new visitors and keep them engaged. It will also help to improve your website's rankings.

web design

Difference between digital marketing and traditional?

Digital marketing is more focused on online channels, such as websites, SM, and email. Traditional marketing is more focused on offline channels, such as television, radio, and print.

Benefits of digital marketing?

  • Increased reach: With digital marketing, businesses can communicate with a wider audience more easily and at a lower cost.
  • Greater engagement: Digital marketing techniques, such as email marketing and social media marketing, allow businesses to engage with their customers more effectively.
  • More engaging content: It has made information more engaging and easier to consume. This has led to a higher demand for digital marketing content, such as blog posts and video tutorials.
  • Increased conversion rates: Digital marketing can be more effective at driving sales than traditional marketing techniques.
  • Lower costs: Digital marketing is often more cost effective than traditional marketing techniques.

Disadvantages of digital marketing?

  • Data overload: With so much information available online, it can be overwhelming for businesses to sift through all the data to find what they need.
  • Reach limitations: Not everyone is online, and not all demographics can be reached through digital channels.
  • Competition: With more businesses going online, the competition for attention is becoming more fierce.

Cost of digital marketing

The price of digital marketing can range depending on the services you need and how much time you are willing to spend. For example, hiring a social media expert to help you with your S E O could cost between £500-£1,000 per month. If you're looking for someone to manage your entire online presence, including your new website, blog, and SM accounts, you could expect to pay between £2,000-£5,000 per month.

Of course, these are just rough estimates - the actual cost of digital marketing will vary depending on your specific circumstances. If you're not sure how much you should be spending, get in touch with a digital marketing agency and they'll be able to give you a more accurate quote.

Conclusion

Firstly, your new website should be designed with your target audience in mind. It's important to make sure that the layout is easy to navigate and that the content is engaging. You also need to ensure that your website is optimised for search engines so that it can rank higher in the results pages.

In addition, you should use social media and email marketing to reach a wider audience and engage with customers on a more personal level. And lastly, remember that digital marketing is an ever-evolving field - keep up with the latest trends and technologies so that you can stay ahead of the competition.

If you need help with web design services including redesign, logo design, technical S E O or branding in the United Kingdom, London, and Colchester then contact or call our Webflow agency for a full-service experience.