Web Page Design Questions to Ensure Success

As you start designing your web page, it's essential to consider the user's needs and behavior. A well-designed web page can make all the difference in engaging and retaining your audience.

A good starting point is to identify your target audience and their goals. This will help you create a user-friendly design that meets their needs. For example, if your target audience is seniors, you may want to use a clear and simple layout.

A clear and concise navigation menu is crucial for user experience. It should be easy to find and use, with no more than 7-10 main links. This will prevent overwhelming your users and make it easier for them to find what they're looking for.

Consistency is key in web design. A consistent layout and typography will create a cohesive and professional look. This will also make it easier for users to navigate your web page and find the information they need.

Before hiring a web designer, it's essential to ask the right questions to ensure you get a website that meets your business needs. You should ask about their research process on your business, whether they'll review your existing website, and what services they offer beyond web design.

A good web designer should be able to design a website that fits your budget and provide a clear design and project management process. They should also be able to answer questions about their CMS, whether they use pre-bought templates or build custom sites, and if their web designs are responsive.

Here are some key questions to ask your web designer:

Web design is a complex process, and it's essential to ask the right questions to ensure you get the website you need. Here are the top 20 FAQs to help guide you through the process:

A website should showcase a wide variety of projects, clients, visual styles, and design techniques to demonstrate versatility and polish.

Your portfolio should be virtually perfect, and you should be able to talk about the results and outcomes of your work.

Having a responsive website is non-negotiable, especially with Google's Mobile Index. A responsive website adjusts its layout depending on the device screen size it displays.

You can test if a website is responsive by adjusting the size of the browser window and seeing if the content moves along with it.

A website should be genuinely responsive, meaning elements scale proportionally based on the user's screen size.

Most web designers aren't content writers, so they outsource to a content writer. It's a good idea to hire a website writer to create written content for your site.

A website's messaging must be spot-on to connect with and convert its ideal client. Human-written content is more authentic and thoughtful than AI-generated content.

A website can do many things, but not every website should do everything. It's essential to determine what's necessary for your website versus what's nice to have.

Here are some ideas to choose from to determine what's necessary for your website versus what's not:

Your website should be mobile-friendly, and having a fully responsive website that adjusts for all screen sizes and devices is more important than ever.

A website can be optimized for different device screens to ensure everything displays optimally before going live.

You should provide the written copy for your website, or hire a website writer to create it for you.

A website should have a clear and concise message, and the tone of voice and personality are paramount to your brand.

You should consider the user's journey through your site and dive deeper into the details to avoid wasting time, money, and patience in the process.

A website should be easy to update and maintain, and you should consider the features and platforms you need to identify from the start.

You should determine which functions or features are necessary to have versus nice to have, such as third-party app integrations.

A website should be designed to convert its ideal client, and the messaging must be spot-on to connect with and convert them.

You should consider the SEO and responsiveness best practices when designing a website.

A website should be designed to work on various devices and screen sizes, and the layout should adjust accordingly.

You should provide a clear and concise message on your website, and the tone of voice and personality should be consistent with your brand.

A website should be designed to be easy to use and navigate, and the user experience should be seamless.

You should consider the user's journey through your site and design it to be intuitive and user-friendly.

A website should be designed to be responsive, and the layout should adjust depending on the device screen size it displays.

You should provide a clear and concise message on your website, and the tone of voice and personality should be consistent with your brand.

A website should be designed to be easy to update and maintain, and you should consider the features and platforms you need to identify from the start.

You should determine which functions or features are necessary to have versus nice to have, such as third-party app integrations.

A website should be designed to convert its ideal client, and the messaging must be spot-on to connect with and convert them.

You should consider the SEO and responsiveness best practices when designing a website.

A website should be designed to work on various devices and screen sizes, and the layout should adjust accordingly.

You should provide a clear and concise message on your website, and the tone of voice and personality should be consistent with your brand.

A website should be designed to be easy to use and navigate, and the user experience should be seamless.

You should consider the user's journey through your site and design it to be intuitive and user-friendly.

If you're looking to break into the web design industry, we've got you covered. Our programs and courses are designed to get you started quickly.

We offer a wide variety of programs and courses built on adaptive curriculum and led by leading industry experts. This means you'll be learning from the best in the business.

You'll work on projects in a collaborative setting, which is a great way to gain experience and build your portfolio. This hands-on approach will help you develop the skills you need to succeed in the industry.

Our flexible payment plans make it easy to fit your education into your budget. Whether you're a student or a working professional, we've got a plan that will work for you.

You'll also get access to VIP events and workshops, which is a great way to network and learn from industry leaders. These events are a fantastic opportunity to meet people in the industry and learn about the latest trends and technologies.

It's rare to code websites from scratch when not creating enterprise-level websites. Developers may still do this, but design firms mostly use CMS platforms as a starting point and customize from there.

CMS platforms are the way to go, knowing how your site will be developed is essential because not all CMS platforms are equal.

Squarespace is a platform that doesn't use templates as a starting point, instead, designers start with a blank site and custom-design every website they build.

Designers are confined to the limitations of the Squarespace platform, but the platform is constantly adding new features.

When determining the key CTAs on your site, consider the specific terminology that will inspire desired action from your users. This is a collaborative effort that requires some A/B testing to see which one converts better.

It's beneficial to check out examples of great CTAs to get started, as they can provide valuable insights into effective language and design.

The CTAs you choose should count toward your brand's success, making them a crucial aspect of your web design.

Having a clear purpose is essential for a brand to thrive. This purpose should be reflected in your brand's website, which serves your customers, not you.

Every brand needs a website that informs visitors about the brand or allows them to make a purchase. Your website can't just be a pretty thing floating in cyberspace.

A brand's purpose can be to inform, engage, or even persuade its audience. This purpose should guide all your brand's decisions and actions, including your website's design and functionality.

A website that serves its customers well can lead to increased loyalty and retention, which is crucial for any brand's long-term success.

Having a clear idea of the image you want your brand's website to portray is crucial in the web design process. This question helps guide your designer to create a website that works for both you and your customers.

Consider the balance of user experience and design so that your website is neither difficult to navigate nor ugly. In fact, most agencies have a limit on the number of concepts presented, so defining what you do and don't want your future website to portray will save time and effort.

Take the websites you love and the websites you hate, and lay out a clear explanation of why for both cases. This will help you further clarify your site's personality and features, and provide a reference for the web design team to see your vision and bring it to life.

A blog is also a mandatory feature for every modern business website, so be sure to include one in your design plans.

You'll need to gather your images, graphics, videos, and brand materials, including your logo, fonts, and colors. If you're a photographer, you'll likely provide all the images on your site to showcase your portfolio.

Visual content is a primary way people and search engines find your website, so it's crucial to strategically name your image files for SEO and accessibility. Most web designers outsource to a professional photographer to create branded imagery for their sites.

You'll need to decide if you need a professional photographer, and you can ask for referrals. Different types of photographers specialize in various areas, such as headshots, lifestyle imagery, product imagery, or editorial images.

As a web designer, they provide visual direction for images, including a shot list for web pages, posing guides, and the best colors to wear. Hair and makeup are recommended for optimal results.

If you can't book a shoot, you may need to pay for stock images or use an illustrative approach, which can be customized with your brand colors.

As a web designer, you should be familiar with HTML and CSS, and be able to explain how you use each language for specific functions and past projects.

Understanding search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial for a well-performing website. This includes elements like URL structure, page titles, keywords, meta descriptions, alt text, and H1 tags.

A website's page speed is also important, with most aiming for a speed of under 3 seconds. Mobile-friendliness is also a must, with over half of web traffic coming from mobile devices.

It's essential to review current page traffic and how users arrive at the site. Knowing which keywords or pages yield high traffic and conversions is also important.

As a Web Designer, it's essential to have a solid grasp of technical skills to create effective websites. Employers want to know your comfort level with HTML and CSS, so be prepared to talk about your experience with these languages.

Mention specific functions you've used each language for and share past projects where you've applied the code. This will help you stand out from other candidates.

A well-optimized site is crucial for search engine ranking and user experience. Elements like URL structure, page titles, keywords, meta descriptions, alt text, and H1 tags are essential for SEO and responsiveness purposes.

Knowing how to design websites for optimization is a key part of a Web Designer's job. By discussing these elements, you'll show your understanding of website optimization and best practices.

As a web designer, it's essential to have a solid understanding of technical skills to create a website that's both functional and visually appealing. You should be familiar with HTML and CSS, and be able to explain how you use each language for specific functions.

To integrate CSS files into your web page, you can use a link tag in the HTML code, specifying the location of the CSS file. This will allow the browser to load the CSS file and apply the styles to the HTML elements.

Writing error messages is crucial for user experience, and you should consider the tone and language used to convey the message. A clear and concise error message can help users understand what went wrong and how to fix it.

When creating a new website, your first step should be to understand the client's goals and target audience. This will help you design a website that meets their needs and resonates with their audience.

Take a look at our website and think about what could be improved. Are there any areas that could be optimized for better user experience or search engine rankings?

As a web designer, you should involve clients or stakeholders in the design process to ensure their needs are met and their expectations are exceeded. This can be done through regular communication, design reviews, and feedback sessions.

Incorporating design trends into a project can be a great way to stay current and create a visually appealing website. Consider the current design trends and how they can be applied to your project.

Combining fonts on a website can be tricky, but it's essential to create a visually appealing design. A good rule of thumb is to use no more than three fonts on a single website.

A good color scheme is determined by a combination of factors, including the brand identity, target audience, and website purpose. Some common color schemes include monochromatic, complementary, and analogous.

When it comes to H1 tags, it's generally recommended to use no more than one per webpage. This helps search engines understand the page's hierarchy and content.

Experience with HTTP and HTTP-2 is essential for web designers, as it allows them to optimize website performance and ensure a smooth user experience.

Designing with website performance in mind is crucial for a good user experience. Consider factors such as page speed, image compression, and caching to ensure your website loads quickly and efficiently.

To reduce a page's loading time, consider compressing images, minifying code, and leveraging browser caching. These techniques can help improve website performance and user experience.

Here are some common technical skills interview questions for web designers, along with some tips on how to answer them:

By being familiar with these technical skills and being able to answer these questions confidently, you'll be well on your way to becoming a skilled web designer.

Anticipated Traffic Volume is crucial in determining the website's capacity.

A high traffic spike can occur if your website is a popular destination, like a new episode of Game of Thrones.

You should communicate the scale of the website to your web design team to ensure they understand its capacity.

If a visitor checks out your website only by seeing the home page, they should get a clear takeaway of the website's purpose.

Try to boil down your website's purpose into a single page of important information.

The desired takeaway should be the most important content, features, or copy that absolutely must be featured up front.

Your website's performance is a key factor in determining the need for a redesign. If your current website is failing to keep visitors' attention, it's time to reassess and improve.

Conversion rates that are too low can be a major issue, and understanding the reasons behind this is crucial. Is your website's design or functionality the culprit?

To truly understand the need for a new website, you need to define what's caused you to make the leap. This will give your web design team a clear sense of what inspired you to start from scratch.

Your current website may not be satisfying visitors, and that's a major problem.

As a web designer, you'll often find yourself communicating your designs with colleagues, stakeholders, and even clients. This requires a different approach depending on the audience.

You'll need to consider the technical details of your design proposals when talking to a development team, but with clients or other stakeholders, you'll want to focus on the bigger picture and the benefits of your design.

In a situational web design interview, you might be asked to describe how you'd communicate your designs with these different groups.

Personal aspects of a candidate's personality and work habits are just as important as their technical skills in a web design interview.

To thrive as a web designer, you need to be able to work well with your team and/or clients, which means having the right personality and enthusiasm.

Be prepared to discuss your work habits and interests in your answer, as it will tell your interviewer a lot about who you are as a designer and where your creativity comes from.

You might answer a question like "Where do you go for design inspiration?" with practical design idea sources, such as reading web design blogs or listening to industry podcasts.

Some designers might have more whimsical ideas, like heading out to the beach or doing some high-intensity exercise, to spark new ideas.

As a web designer, you'll often find yourself working closely with colleagues and stakeholders to design functional websites. You'll need to make important design decisions throughout your work.

You'll need to communicate your designs with web developers, who will be interested in the technical details, and with clients or stakeholders, who may not be as familiar with the technical aspects. Emphasize the differences in your approach when talking to these groups.

A website's purpose will greatly impact its design and functionality. If you're selling products online, you'll need an ecommerce platform, while a website with a member portal is a different story altogether.

In a behavioral web design interview, employers want to know how you've handled past situations to gauge your skills, personality, and future behavior. They're looking for specific examples of how you've reacted in the past.

To answer behavioral interview questions, be specific in your response and follow the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, and Result. For example, if asked about a time when you received harsh criticism from a client, describe the situation, explain the task at hand, detail the action you took, and share the outcome you achieved.

Employers want to see that you can take constructive criticism, reflect on your work, and use it to make positive changes. They're also looking for evidence that you can listen carefully to stakeholder demands and fulfill promises.

Here are some common behavioral web design interview questions:

By being prepared to answer these types of questions, you can show employers that you're a capable and adaptable web designer who can handle the challenges of the job.

Project Management is crucial for a successful web design project. A documented design process or SOP (standard operating procedure) is a strong sign that your web designer has solid experience and will lead you through the process from start to finish.

You want your designer to lead the process, not the other way around. This is what you hired them to do, and it's nice to work with a team who will keep you on task, on budget, and launched by your scheduled date.

A project timeline helps determine a launch date, monitor progress, and keep everyone accountable. A well-performed website should go through a six-step process: Research, strategy, design, development, launch, and review. For specifics, ask your prospective web design companies about their project management workflow.

Defining success is a crucial step in project management. You should have an idea of what success looks like to you, and it's essential to share that with your project partner.

It's not just about conveying your goals, but also about understanding what would make them proud of the project. Ask your partner what would make them proud, and listen to their response.

They may have new skills they want to implement or a desire to build their portfolio. This is a great way to gauge mutual enthusiasm for the project.

You might be wondering, what exactly do you own after your website is launched? Believe it or not, ownership of your website is not always a given.

Some agencies build websites using their own custom Content Management Systems (CMS), which can lock you in and make it difficult to make changes without going back to the original developer.

Working with a partner that develops in an open-source platform like WordPress or Drupal gives you more control and flexibility. These platforms have a wide range of themes and plugins you can add on later to adapt as your business grows.

It's essential to find out if the domain name will be registered in your name and whether the partner requires hosting on their servers. This can impact your ongoing contract and expenses.

We offer post-launch support to ensure your website runs smoothly. If you want to make changes and updates yourself, you'll need some training to learn how to use your website's platform.

Your web designer should use a user-friendly and easy-to-use web platform so you can own and maintain your site yourself. This will make it easier for you to make changes and updates.

We include a complimentary two-hour website training session to help you learn how to self-manage and update your website. However, this training can't cover everything, as teaching you how to do your job in two hours is a lot to explain and absorb.

If you prefer to send edits and updates rather than do them yourself, ask your web designer if they offer a post-launch support or maintenance package for long-term support. Some designers don't support their website builds post-launch, others only help for a limited time, and others are happy to provide ongoing support.

We offer add-on or standalone training for Acuity Scheduling setup and troubleshooting and Email Campaigns setup and training. I teach the training sessions online because I use the platform daily and keep up with all the weekly updates.

If you prefer to create the content and let us format and set it up on the website, we offer a website membership that includes a monthly update. This is perfect for small businesses with too much on their plates.

Edits and revisions are an essential part of any project. Typically, designers offer 2-3 rounds of revision.

If you don't love the first draft, you can request changes with constructive feedback. We alleviate endless rounds of mockups by requiring written content to be completed and approved before design.

Our process allows for minimal final content and design edits because we've already gone through 1-2 edit rounds in the design phase. This step-by-step approach makes it easier to review and approve each phase.

Having extensive design experience and a straightforward approval process helps us manage edits and revisions efficiently. We allow enough time for review and edits at every phase.

Our process is ideal for small-to medium-sized businesses with 1-3 main decision-makers.

A project timeline is essential to determine a launch date and keep everyone on-task and accountable. This helps you plan out how long you'll need to get there with a completed website.

For most agencies, attempting to meet aggressive deadlines usually results in failure to deliver on time—and usually at a lower level of quality. This is why it's crucial to have a realistic timeline in place.

Websites can take several weeks to months to create, with some taking as long as 10 months to complete. This is why a project timeline is vital to ensure a successful launch.

A well-performing website should go through a six-step process: Research, strategy, design, development, launch, and review. This process should be transparent and include frequent progress reports.

If a project goes over budget, it's essential to have a plan in place to handle it. Your website partner should be transparent about potential budget increases and work with you to phase out less critical parts of the project.

Scope Creep can be a major project management challenge, but it's not inevitable. Identifying potential challenges upfront can help avoid surprises down the road. A thoughtful response to this question can be incredibly revealing, demonstrating that your project partner has considered the intricacies involved and has set a realistic budget and timeline.

A well-performing website should go through a six-step process: Research, strategy, design, development, launch, and review. This process helps ensure that your project stays on-course throughout.

Properly preparing for a website redesign will help you define the project and avoid scope creep, or more tasks getting tacked on to an existing project as it moves along. By first hashing out a specific plan for your website, you can make sure your project stays on-course throughout.

A good creative agency will help you define these features and requirements so that they can craft an accurate proposal for the job. This way, you can avoid getting a high number just because they don’t fully understand the entirety of the scope.

A good project manager knows that a website is just the starting point. Your website's launch day is a cause for celebration, but the real work starts now!

To ensure your new website reaches its full potential, you need a solid launch strategy. A good website development agency should be invested in your success, even after launch. They understand that a stunning website alone isn’t enough. Look for a partner who offers launch promotion support, demonstrating their vested interest in your project.

A web designer who offers additional services can build a high-performing, well-designed website that generates leads. This can include graphic/logo design skills, content writing, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategies, and marketing experience. Your website should be built to be your business’ marketing machine, not just a beautiful site that no one visits.

Many designers have pre-made packages that contain a list of asset deliverables. Don’t know what you need? Book a Power Plan and find out. We have connections with great brand photographers and copywriters.

Outsourcing projects can be incredibly helpful, but it can also lead to communication challenges, project delays, and additional costs.

Some agencies outsource their work, which can make it difficult to know who's working on your project and what they're doing.

It's essential to know who your web designer is working with and what they're working on to eliminate misunderstandings and get the best website for your needs.

There are better solutions than cheap outsourcing, which can lead to sub-par results.

Your designer should be actively managing the project with a dedicated team they've vetted and work with daily, not just being a middleman between you and a company on the other side of the globe.

We've seen firsthand that partnering with trusted, skilled creatives can make all the difference in the quality of your project.

A solid project management process is key to a successful project. It helps keep you on track, on budget, and ensures your project launches on time.

Having a documented design process or SOP (standard operating procedure) is a strong sign of a designer's experience and expertise. They should be able to lead you through the entire process, from start to finish.

Project management software like Asana is a useful tool for staying organized and on task. It's available in both free and paid versions, making it accessible to designers and clients alike.

A well-documented process for brand identity and website building is essential for a smooth project. This process should be constantly updated to reflect the latest tech and trends.

Working with a designer, project manager, and team who can keep you on task and on budget is a major plus. It makes the project process less stressful and more enjoyable for everyone involved.