Introduction to Web Design

IMNT311

Ms. M Khumalo
 WHAT IS A WEBSITE?
A website is a collection of web pages and related content that is identified by
a common domain name and published on at least one web server.
PURPOSE AND GOAL OF A WEBSITE
The purpose of a website is to serve as a digital platform that fulfils specific
objectives and meets the needs of its intended audience. Websites can have
various goals, ranging from providing valuable information and promoting
products or services to fostering communities or supporting non-profit causes.

The overarching goal is to create a seamless user experience, encouraging

visitors to engage with the content and take desired actions, such as making a
purchase, subscribing to a newsletter, or joining a community. Additionally,
websites can strengthen branding efforts, increase visibility, and build
credibility for businesses and organizations.
 WHY HAVE A WEBSITE FOR BUSINESS?

Having a website for a business is essential in today's digital age. It offers

numerous benefits and opportunities that can contribute to the success and
growth of the business.

key reasons why having a website is crucial for a business include:

 Online Presence
 Credibility and Trust
 Marketing and Branding
 Customer Convenience
 Accessibility and Availability
 Competitive Advantage
 BENEFITS OF A WEBSITE
Having a website offers a wide range of benefits for individuals, businesses,
organisations, and other entities. Some of the key advantages of having a
website include:

1. Online Presence: A website provides a 24/7 online presence, allowing

potential customers to find and learn about your business or organisation
at any time, from anywhere in the world.
2. Credibility and Trust: A well-designed and professional website
enhances your credibility and builds trust with customers, partners, and
stakeholders.
3. Brand Identity: A website serves as a platform to showcase your brand
identity, values, and unique selling propositions, helping you stand out in
the market.
 BENEFITS OF A WEBSITE
3. Marketing and Promotion: Websites are powerful marketing tools. You
can use them to promote products, services, events, and special offers,
reaching a broader audience.
4. Customer Engagement: Websites facilitate direct communication with
customers through contact forms, live chat, and feedback options,
allowing you to address inquiries and provide support.
5. Global Reach: With a website, you can expand your market beyond
geographical boundaries, reaching a global audience without physical
constraints.
6. Data Collection and Analysis: Websites provide valuable data about
visitor behaviour and interactions, which can be used for analytics and
informed decision-making.
 DESIGN CONCEPTS AND FACTORS TO
CONSIDER WHEN DESIGNING A WEBSITE

From the time a visitor enters the website, till the time he or she leaves, the
website design should leave a great impression on his or her mind. Everything
else, like content, images, videos come later.

Design tells us ‘how’ and ‘why’ to use the site.

ELEMENTS OF WEB DESIGNING
• Website Layout – The way in which graphics, text and advertisements are
arranged over the web page is called layout. The purpose is to provide
information immediately by maintaining integrity, balance and consistency
all over.

• Colour – The colour across the web page depends upon the organisation
and client for whom the website is being prepared. It may range from
simple to classy, from black and white to multi coloured design.

• Graphics – The arrangement of images, clipart and icons, logos to

enhance the creativity are called graphics. These are needed to be placed
appropriately to increase user-friendliness, in line with the colour and
content of the website and keeping the load time minimal.
 KEY ELEMENTS CONT…
• Fonts – Proper use of fonts and styles must be done which are
of readable size and attract user attention.

• Content – Usage of relevant content which, together with

graphics, can enhance the overall appeal of website. The text
of website must always be useful and illustrative so that users
can understand the underlying objective of the website. It must
be keyword rich and search engine friendly to get higher
ranking in search results.
 FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN
DESIGNING A WEBSITE
Designing a website requires careful planning and consideration to create a user-
friendly, visually appealing, and effective online presence. Some important factors to
consider when designing a website:

1. Purpose and Goals: Clearly define the purpose of your website and set specific
goals you want to achieve. Whether it's to provide information, sell products,
generate leads, or build a community, knowing the primary purpose helps shape the
design and content.
2. Target Audience: Understand your target audience's preferences, needs, and
behaviours. Design the website with their preferences in mind to create a more
engaging and relevant user experience.
3. User Experience (UX): Focus on providing a seamless and intuitive user
experience. Organize content logically, use clear navigation, and ensure fast
loading times to keep users engaged and satisfied.
 FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN
DESIGNING A WEBSITE
4. Accessibility: Ensure your website is accessible to all users, including
those with disabilities. Follow accessibility guidelines to make the content
perceivable, operable, and understandable for everyone.
5. Security: Prioritise website security by using HTTPS encryption,
regularly updating software, and implementing robust security measures
to protect user data and maintain trust.
6. Social Media Integration: Integrate social media buttons and share
options to facilitate content sharing and increase engagement with your
brand on various platforms.
7. Analytics and Tracking: Install web analytics tools, such as Google
Analytics, to track website performance, user behaviour, and conversion
rates. Use this data to make data-driven improvements.
 TIPS TO DESIGNING A WEBSITE
Designing a website that is visually appealing, user-friendly, and effective
requires thoughtful planning and attention to detail. Here are some tips to help
you design a successful website:

 Define Clear Objectives: Clearly define the purpose and goals of your
website. Understand what you want to achieve with the website and design
it accordingly to support those objectives.
 Know Your Target Audience: Understand your target audience's
preferences, needs, and behaviours. Tailor the design and content to
resonate with your intended users.
 Keep it Simple and Intuitive: Strive for simplicity in design and
navigation. Make it easy for users to find what they are looking for and
avoid clutter or unnecessary elements.
 TIPS TO DESIGNING A WEBSITE
 Responsive Design: Ensure your website is fully responsive, adapting to different
screen sizes and devices, including mobile phones and tablets.
 Easy Navigation: Create a clear and user-friendly navigation menu that allows
visitors to access different sections of your website easily.
 Mobile-Friendly Design: Test your website on mobile devices to ensure that it
works well on smaller screens and is easy to navigate.
 Accessibility: Design your website with accessibility in mind to ensure that all
users, including those with disabilities, can access and use your site.
 Contact Information: Include easily accessible contact information, such as a
contact form or email address, so users can reach out to you if needed.
 Social Media Integration: Add social media buttons to allow users to share your
content and connect with you on social platforms.
 HOW TO PLAN YOUR WEBSITE
Planning a website is a crucial step in its successful development. Here's a
step-by-step guide to help you plan your website effectively:

 Set your purpose and goals: Clearly outline the purpose of your website
and identify the specific goals you want to achieve. Determine if it's an
informational site, an e-commerce platform, a blog, or something else.
 Identify your target audience: Understand your target audience's needs,
preferences, and behaviours. This will help you tailor the content and
design to appeal to them.
 Choose a suitable platform: Select the right website-building platform or
Content Management System (CMS) that aligns with your technical
expertise and requirements. Popular options include WordPress, Wix,
Shopify, or Squarespace.
 HOW TO PLAN YOUR WEBSITE
• Design and User Experience (UX): Plan the website's layout, colour
scheme, and visual elements to create an appealing and user-friendly
interface. Focus on intuitive navigation and ensure that the site is
responsive and accessible across different devices.
• Content Strategy: Plan the type of content you will have on each page,
including text, images, videos, and other media. Develop a content strategy
to ensure consistency and relevance throughout the website.
• Test and Launch: Before going live, thoroughly test your website on
different browsers and devices to ensure it functions correctly. Address any
issues or bugs identified during testing. Once everything is in order, launch
your website to the public.
Don’t forget to monitor and maintain website!
FREE WEB DESIGNING APPS

Use Wix to design your website: www.wix.com

Tutorial videos available on YouTube
WEBSITE CATEGORY
WEBSITE CREATION WITH WIX

Select this option for greater editing control

SELECTING A TEMPLATE
CUSTOMISING YOUR TEMPLATE
 REGISTER DOMAIN NAME
An Internet domain name is a unique name of an organisation or
person on the Internet. It’s what your visitors will see in the bar
of their browser, right after the www.

The name is combined with a generic top-level domain (gTLD),

such as .com or .org or country of origin.
 REGISTER DOMAIN NAME
Ideally your domain name should be:

• Short – to avoid visitors spelling it incorrectly

• Simple – Avoid using symbols, special characters and numbers
• Professional - Your domain name should incorporate your own name or
your business name, to avoid confusion.
• Evocative/catchy - Incorporate words that are related to your business.

Examples of internet domains include:

• www.dut.ac.za
• www.Takealot.com
• www.Microsoft.com
 WIX TUTORIALS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxpjW-Mq96Q&t=310s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf2AmZideg8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwCJORi4_t0
 BIM DEMO WEBSITE
Check out the department’s demo website on:

https://yatsnaidoo.wixsite.com/icmdut

Have fun and don’t forget to be creative!

 REFERENCES
• Cyr, D. 2013. Website design, trust and culture: An eight-country investigation.
Electronic Commerce Research and Applications, 12(6): 373-385.
• Cyr, D., Head, M. and Larios, H. 2010. Colour appeal in website design within and
across cultures: A multi-method evaluation. International journal of human-
computer studies, 68(1-2): 1-21.
• Garett, R., Chiu, J., Zhang, L. and Young, S.D. 2016. A literature review: website
design and user engagement. Online journal of communication and media
technologies, 6(3): 1.
• Karimov, F.P., Brengman, M. and Van Hove, L. 2011. The effect of website design
dimensions on initial trust: A synthesis of the empirical literature. Journal of
Electronic Commerce Research, 12(4).
• Rosen, D.E. and Purinton, E. 2004. Website design: Viewing the web as a cognitive
landscape. Journal of Business Research, 57(7): 787-794.