There is a lot of misinformation floating around about great web design. Webby Award-winning agency Zync (zync.ca) debunks the top five web design myths.
1 Keep important info “above the fold.” It’s great to prioritize your most important content at the top, but no need to cram it all in. Some of the most engaging sites on the web use a vertical scroll as their primary method of navigation.
2 Accessible sites are ugly.
Not if the designer knows what they’re doing. Web accessibility — the inclusive practice of removing barriers that prevent interaction with, or access to websites, by people with disabilities — has become common practice. Like any structural element, it doesn’t impede the quality of design. It’s not only the right thing to do, it’s smart for your business.
3 Sliders make a site better. Nope, they actually slow it down, which is bad for SEO. They’re also used as a place to stuff more content. Before clogging up your homepage, ask yourself if anything beyond the first slide is necessary. Most often, remaining content is better placed further down the page or on a different page.
4 A website is just an online brochure. Maybe 10 years ago that was true. Now, it’s the 24/7, frontline face of your brand. What’s your call to action? How are you generating leads? Consider gamification, e-commerce, and geolocation. Get the site working for you.
5 Mobile isn’t required for all sites. The majority of web traffic comes from mobile devices, so designing your site to be “mobile first” and responsive across devices is essential. Even if users come back later on desktop, their first visit to your site will usually be on mobile — and first impressions make a difference.
