Creating a website that has a design which is keeping up with the times and is to the convenience of all those who use it. The designs that are trending lately are much different from what they used to be just a couple of years ago. Popular websites are being updated every now and then. For example, users are increasing privacy-centric with the use of privacy tools like no log VPNs becoming increasingly common. Hence, you have to be careful not to block access to anonymized users.

There are no specific rules that you absolutely must use for designing a website. There are just some considerations that you must keep in mind before starting with or finalizing a design. You may find some helpful web design tips below:

Create a layout

You may think that you are making the best design ever for your website, but, when you finalize it, you may realize it looks clunky and awkward. This is because you only see your work with full perspective when you are done with it.

To avoid this, make it a rule to create a layout for the design you have in mind. Do this on a paper with a pencil, or use PhotoShop to attain a clearer perspective on what your design should look like. This should certainly be the first step in designing any website.

Use a Style Guide

A great way to achieve uniformity throughout your web design and not make it look awkward is by using Style Guides. You can find them on the web anywhere, or even design your own! Save in it a template for your design with all the proper fonts you will be using.

Use big, simple fonts

Fonts have gained much hype in web design recently. Unique typography is very pleasing to the eyes of the viewer. Using glittery and loud fonts, however, is thoroughly discouraged, unless you’re designing a website endorsing something that requires such design.

Modern fonts are usually quite simple. They must always contrast with the background so that they are visible. They should also be big enough, so as to not make the viewer look around too much or strain his eyes to read what you are trying to convey. It should be such that as soon as the website is opened, the viewer should be greeted by whatever the website is endorsing.

Use big, responsive images

Make sure that all the imagery on the site is big enough to catch the viewer’s eye and is pleading his attention. Use high resolution images and make sure they are placed appropriately. Many websites start by placing big images on the top of the screen, just above the menu.

These images are very often responsive as well. Clicking on an image instead of words to be taken to a certain part of the website is a very modern tactic. Be sure to not overuse this tactic, though, since as explanatory as an image may be, they could never replace the convenience that’s given by words.

Make the rest of the design responsive too

Back when programmers first realized how to make a web design responsive, it was considered very cool and amazing. Now, that is no longer the case. A responsive design is quite necessary when designing a website nowadays.

Make sure that the website is able to function in its optimum form, not only on a computer screen, but also on a mobile phone screen. No viewer likes a website that is non-responsive in this day and age.

Feature videos

Many website make it a point to include a short video that features the product they are endorsing on the homepage. An auto-play option for this video is ideal as most users tend to not click on feature videos on their own.

This video, if included, must explain the product in simple words along with its merits. This is to the benefit of the user since he will hesitate to use the product if he feels that it is complex.

Appropriate Menus

Hamburger menus were quite trendy for web designing for a while. They saved a lot of screen space and were quite handy. But, web designers soon realized all the inconvenience they caused.

Hamburger menus were difficult to locate. Even when viewers finally located them, most of them had no idea how to get to the appropriate page they are looking for with their help. Hamburger menus are still very popular with app developers as mobile phone screens are considerably smaller than computer screens, but they are not quite as popular with websites.

Back in web design fashion are now old school menus, that are easier to locate by the viewer and gives him all the appropriate information he needs to get to the page he wants. Other than these menus, phase-out side bars are also very trendy as they save considerable screen space.

The Color Scheme

Make it a point to use a vibrant color scheme for any website you are designing. Vibrant does not mean too bright or too loud. The colors of any website must be in contrast with the font of that website and also with the imagery. They should not strain the eyes too much. Also, the color scheme of a website must be appropriate with whatever the website is certifying.

Live Chat

Most good websites these days come with live chat support. These are quickly replacing the “Contact us” pages on most websites where it is extremely rare to get a response at all.

Live chats require an employee of the main center of the website to stay online at all times, this is usually done in shifts, so he could listen to anything the viewer has to say and provide an appropriate response accordingly.

Simple Navigation

A viewer should be able to view any part of a website without feeling as if he is stuck with no idea where to go.

For this purpose, it is imperative to use words in appropriate places, which easily direct people to what lies beyond.

Respect Your Viewers Privacy

Awareness of the need for data encryption, but many websites are blocking access to VPN servers. Doing this limits your viewer's ability to browse anonymously with VPN. You should consider allowing it to improve both the viewer's experience and security while visiting your website.