When you are thinking about web design, the first thing you should do is make a list of all the things you’ve liked about other sites. Generally, the eye is drawn to certain things, and also repelled by certain things. This list will be your master list, the one that you can go back to throughout the building process to see if you’re hitting your marks.

The actual design of the site, the template, is one of the features that should always look a certain way. It should always be clean, relatively simple, and without overcomplicated or over-stimulating graphics. The human eye likes to be directed seamlessly from one focal point to another, so keep that in mind while you are configuring the “bones” of your website.

Color is a little bit more personal. Everyone seems to enjoy something different; one person may like pastels, while another will like bold colors. What I suggest keeping in mind, is how color can play a role in marketing your business. While everyone tends to like their own color palette, humans as a whole tend to associate certain feelings or emotions with specific colors. For instance, if you are a cupcake business, you might think about utilizing an across-the-board cheerful color like pink or orange. Not only are these colors associated with happiness, but they can also be a play on the fun quality of dessert. Likewise, if you are a funeral business, you would not use pink. You would use something that denoted respect, empathy, and professionalism. A neutral or muted color palette would be more appropriate.

The usability of your website is extremely important. People like information that is quickly accessible, that can be found by only navigating the site for a few seconds. For this reason, it is also important to make a second list about the most important aspects of your business. Ask yourself, what are the most important aspects of my business?  What sets my business apart? What will people want to take away from this first impression? After answering these questions you will have a better idea of the content that you would like on your page.

This information should be of great help when brainstorming and figuring out your website. If you are not handling it yourself, and are instead using a qualified professional, this information can help you to communicate your needs to them, making both of your jobs a lot easier.