A brief look into our ‘making an awesome website routine’

One of the key roles as a Web Designer here at MadeByShape is to think of how not only the page elements interact with each other, but how best to interact with the user.

UX or User Experience is 'the process of enhancing user satisfaction with a product by improving the usability, accessibility, and pleasure provided in the interaction with the product.'

So what do we do?

1. Research

We always start with research, there's minimal benefit to us and especially the client in designing a website if we know nothing about the field that the clients operate in and the consumers that they target, we overcome this by looking into competitors, products and clientele. From this we can begin to approach the project professionally whilst being on the same wavelength as our clients, allowing us to look further into the nitty-gritty, such as looking at similar sites seeing what it is they offer and break the website down to its basic components(call to actions, content etc).

2. Constructive criticism. (no fighting)

As a designer working on a solo project, it is easy to understand the site, product and client quicker than the 'average Joe', allowing others to look at the completed/partially completed concept allows food for thought. Although the site may look great, its functionality may be unsuitable for the target audience.

For example - if the website is designed for a target audience of age 16-25 year olds all interested in web design, the more the site is inline with current trends, minimalist, block colour, simple hovers the better. Unlike for a target audience of over 50's for auto-mobile parts, the simpler, more typographical and more to the point the better.

Having a good team behind us allows us to create smooth, appropriate websites accurately designed to provide the best future for the clients' success.

3. Multiple concepts

Some sites won't be signed off in the first or second concept, that's mostly due to conflicting ideas on both the client and the designers part, working together and finding the solution is what we strive towards, face to face meetings, phone calls and video chats are all part of the process. Getting to know our clients is what makes a professional relationship into a great professional relationship, which allows us to work as efficiently as possible.

4. Adding content.

Content is the deal breaker, a well-designed site can be ruined by badly written content and blurry unrelated images. Despite written information being a vital element of a websites success, it is even more vital to make the content as clear, well written and informative as possible, which helps to continue the flow of the entire site and the entire user experience.

This is a subject we at Shape feel strongly about, we work with each client to make the best possible final outcome, after all - we work hard on our sites and want to see them succeed!

5. The little things

We take extra care and attention when it comes to the little things such as hovers, buttons, subtle effects, we include all of these to give the user an even greater experience rather than 'just a website'. Enjoying the experience and performance of a site is crucial and the first impression on a companies reputability.

Want to know more? Get in touch here