Websites as a Means of Communication
The way we interact with text on paper is significantly different from the way we do it on websites. On paper, we read sentences fairly predictably and persistently from left to right. We can go on and on even when there are long sections to cover. The case is however different when it comes to the screens, we tend to scan around unpredictably and settle on eye-catching keywords; we tend to lose interest more quickly and even fail to scroll down to the bottom of the page.
How to benefit visitors from communication on websites
Based on the significant differences between the way we interact with content on paper versus content on screen, there are quite some efforts required in order to benefit visitors from communication on websites. We sampled a few websites designed by PixelCarve and came up with key factors essential in perfectly communicating via websites.
Prioritize
Since our concentration tends to flag on websites, it is good that a web design team focuses on exactly what should be communicated to visitors. Even on large websites where there is a lot to be communicated, priority should be given to most important messages that clearly articulate the massages on the other pages.
Prioritizing also means that the message should be made impossible to miss; this can be achieved through application of various design techniques, especially the use of visual hierarchy.
Drive the message through all the possible means necessary
There are different ways to speak to visitors that create room for driving the message through every possible avenue. These include the use of headlines, subheadings, texts on page, taglines, colors, images, and much more. Navigation also forms part of these avenues since the easier it is to navigate a website the more appealing it is to the users.
Where texts, colors, and other common means of communication are not enough in briefly and precisely driving the message home, they can be backed up with videos and audios which have become a major trend in recent years.
Keep it simple and impactful
As much as web designers should strive to prioritize the key messages, clarity is important on what they do. For clarity to be achieved, it is essential to keep it simple and impactful. Excess should be eliminated which can make a message too exhaustive to digest at a glance. When everything counts in such a simple manner, the audience doesn’t get confused or swayed away from the main objective of the website.
There are plenty fruits reaped from good communication in websites. Firstly, it reduces bounce rates meaning that few visitors typically leave such websites as soon as they open them. Secondly, since most users experience less frustration while on the website, their experiences are turned into more sales, lead generations, and subscriptions. Finally, website owners are likely to experience less unnecessary inquiries from their visitors as a result of work well done in clearly passing the intended messages to their audiences.
