Creating a website does not have to be a mind boggling process. Many people have opted to hire a web developer because they think it is absolutely necessary to have knowledge of code. WordPress simplifies the process so that even someone who is new to web design can do a decent job of building an impressive website.The awesome thing is that WordPress is also free. The following tips will help you to build a WordPress website which looks as if it was developed by a professional.
- Theme and Plugin Selection
Once you’ve selected your domain name, your host, downloaded the application and installed it, the first thing you want to do on WordPress is to select your theme. If you want a truly stunning and eye catching website your theme must harmonize with the purpose of your site.
Selecting the theme can take a little doing because WordPress offers thousands of them. They have different features based on the nature of your website. You can also customize it to have it looking exactly the way you want. The plugins available give greater functionality to yoursite and allow you to include features your site will need.
Once you begin to add content you will better be able to gauge how these plugins will best serve your site. A good theme though will have certain elements such as easy readability and navigation and works well with your necessary plugins.
- Using the Right Mix of Colours
Colour has the power to attract or repel. If you want an attractive website which will hold the attention of your site visitors, choosing just the right combination is key. Even if you don’t know the principles of colour theory, you can make it awesome with even just the basics. One practical guideline is to use two contrasting neutral colours with one accent colour, the keyword being accent. The accent colour needs to be tastefully distributed throughout the site for it to remain appealing. If you need more guidance, you can also do a little research to educate yourself on how colours work together.
- Posting Content in Appealing Fonts
If you want your site to be easily readable and maintain a professional look, the choice of font is important. Your content might be awesome but if it is hard for your visitors to read, your site will lose its appeal. The appearance of your site will also not be as stunning as you might think. Some web design professionals recommend choosing a font that you might think is not very interesting. This is a sure fire way to guarantee legibility and a unified look.
- Use Quality Images
When choosing images you want to use high quality images which are directly related to your website. Many free sites abound from which you can obtain royalty free images in a legal way and also enjoy good quality. If your images are low quality and unrelated to the purpose of your site, then more than likely your site will not be as appealing as it could be and your viewership will decrease. Of course another option is to have professional images taken which will be unique to your website.
- An Ideal Logo
Because the logo represents your brand, you will want to ensure that you include the cost of one in your budget. A professional graphic artist should be able to create one for you which will represent your concept and vision as you have described. It may cost you a couple hundred dollars so bear this in mind, but it is an important aspect of a website. Alternatively, if you decide to embark on a do it yourself logo, be guided by the following principles:
Use a simple font with the appropriate sizing.
You may include a purchased icon or your own signature.
Keep it simple.
- Give Attention to Layout
One of the big turn offs for people who visit any website is a cluttered layout. To keep your site looking stunning and sleek, great attention must be given to how the content, images and various elements are arranged or aligned on the various pages. Clutter may come in the form of too many adverts, music or videos which play automatically, pop up ads, newsletters or call to action banners and any other thing which may distract users away from the purpose for which they visited the site in the first place.
Advertisements and other elements not part of the main content need to be strategically placed to maintain a neat and structured look for your website.
WordPress has many tools and options for you to put your best foot forward when creating a website. With its user friendly platform which is suited for both newbies and professionals, keeping these main elements in mind will help you to create a stunning website with much ease.
Author Bio – This article is a work of Glen Quinn in support of DigitalCRO, a digital marketing consultancy specializing in online business development, WordPress web design and export marketing.
