Site Design: Forget the Bells and Whistles
Have you ever sat in a movie theater and got so wrapped up in the story that you actually forgot you were in a theater? The screen, the walls, the people around you all "disappear". It’s quite the experience and when it happens it is always a pleasure.
In my last post we discussed how the key to affiliate marketing the WA way is to trust the process as presented. In other words, don’t reinvent the wheel; Kyle really does know what he’s doing.
We also went over the importance of focusing on content creation and less on design. Time management is important to all of us budding entrepreneurs, and every minute spent fooling with your site’s design is a minute you’re not writing new content, and it’s the content that is driving all of your traffic.
That said, there are still going to be members out there that are obsessed with making a site fancy. Therefore, I would like to address site design just a bit today…
Forget the Bells and Whistles
Today’s article is a result of a discussion I had with @LenkaSophie. She is absolutely incredible, and her posts are a must read for everyone needing a bit of encouragement. Give her a follow.
So, here is my position on site design: simple and clean is the way to go. And lest you think I recommend that because I lack the “talent” to do more, I remind you that I am well versed in such topics as graphic design, UI, and coding languages like HTML, CSS, Java, and many more.
In other words, I can make something fancy and beautiful if I choose to. But I don’t. And here’s why…
For our purposes, human psychology is much more important than art and design.
Think of it this way...
Our brains are extremely powerful, but one thing they can't do is process two things at exactly the same time. Thus, if a reader is paying attention to what they see -- the design -- they are not focused on your content.
Likewise, my belief is that a site's design should be such that it melts away into the background and the reader -- much like in the movie theater -- gets drawn into the content. They are fixated on the words and the story. They are concentrating on the information. They are focused on what brought them there in the first place. And that makes them want to stay longer and return in the future.
If you can accomplish that, you will have provided them with an incredible experience.
Take care and keep writing.
AJ
Recent Comments
29
AJ, no one could ever accuse you of not knowing what you’re talking about!😳
You have some really great advice, especially here. I am going to change a scheme I have for a website now, because it has too many bells and whistles!
Great post
Thanks
Joe
I love this explanation! This is of course the same reason we should not have pop up, ads, banners, music etc. on our sites. It is distracting. I had never thought of it on the level you explained here however.
I don't like just black text on a white background and nothing else, but I love a very clean, basic site. I use a plain white background and black text but with just a few great images that are related to my content. A really good, high quality and related feature image and another color for my post titles in the blog roll is all I need for a great post and site.
A great featured image helps grab the readers attention and get them to start reading in the first place.
Thanks for this explanation.
Jessica
Yes, many people think that black text on a white background is "boring" and believe that readers won't like it. Interestingly enough, depending on the study, it has been shown that simple black text on white background pulls as much as 8-10 times HIGHER than any other design combination. Bottom line... boring works. :-)
You won’t believe how much you hit the hammer on the nail here!
Did someone speak to you about me and my quest to redesign my site and how much trouble that got me in, and as you said the time I’ve WASTED? Meanwhile I was not creating content or posting 😳
AJ this post could not have come at a better time. I’m back on track!
Thank you!
I agree AJ, less is so much more.
While it's nice to have a good looking site, at the end of the day you'll be the only one looking at it without any content ranking. Sometimes, for me writing content can be a huge undertaking and other times it flows like a raging unstoppable river.
Another great post AJ.
Stick with it. I'm a "professional" writer (whatever that loaded word means) and I experience the same thing. Sometimes words come easy, and sometimes not. The key is to just write whatever you can every single day. :-)
Absolutely my friend, I'm aiming to do more this year than I did this last year overall. I find the more I do write the more I can hit my stride and find my zone. The everyday part is what I need to work on, I get caught up with everyday life and it keeps me from writing as much as I would like. I hope to get better and better, it's all a valuable learning experience for me and I love learning.
What you just said really hit home, AJ. It should be obvious, but it is something we all seemingly tend to overlook! Thanks for redirecting our paths!
Jeff
Good comments, AJ. It seems to me that I am trying to do both, but so far, I am not having the best of luck doing either. But thanks for your thoughts. Have a great rest of the week.
Hang in there. Focus on creating content... and I promise it gets easier the more you do it. :-)
Glad you think keeping it simple is good because I don’t have the talent and am often intimidated by some of the incredible web designs and feel a real amateur by comparison.
I know Kyle explained how simple is best at this stage but I guess I am swayed by shiny bells and whistles. So I am pleased to read your post
Thank you
👍😁
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Wow terrific thought AJ. It feels great to be so immersed that you are totally focused. Hadn't thought about this in regards to our website.
Thanks for inspiring us to keep it simple.
Lily 🌞
Thank you.