There is a lot that goes into a successful web site from a design perspective. The web is a different medium than newspapers, billboards, magazines, television or any other visual medium. As with each of the traditional mediums the web requires its own approach with respect to design. Many factors must be taken into account and addressed properly in order to develop a succssful online presence. Some of the most critical aspects are:
Visual Appeal - An attractive, professionally design will help your site stand out from the millions of other web sites on the Internet. For a first time visitor, you most often will have only a few seconds to capture their attention so you have to get it right. In many cases, if a visitor's first impression of your site isn't favourable, they will consider the business or organization that is represented by the site to be unprofessional too. The drawbacks to this should be obvious. Although many people have some creative talent we encourage you to consider professional web site design for your online presence.
Usability - The site must be intuitive to new visitors. Navigation to the various areas of the site must be natural. Visitors should be able to access content with as few clicks as possible.
Responsive Design - This is a web design approach aimed at crafting sites to provide an optimal viewing experience - easy reading and navigation with a minimum of resizing, panning, and scrolling - across a wide range of devices (from mobile phones to desktop computer monitors
Compatibility - The combinations of hardware, software and connection speeds combined with specific settings used by Internet surfers is virtually limitless. Your site design must allow for proper viewing of your site by the largest number of Internet users possible.
Accessibility - Some Internet users may require assistive technology - such as screen-readers for persons with blindness or voice-input systems for persons with mobility impairments. In order to make your web site as accessible as possible there are a number of standards and guidelines you must follow.