Introduction
Building a high-quality website is essential for businesses nowadays, regardless of the industry. Whether your business is from the fashion, entertainment, or agriculture industry, you need to have a website that caters to your online audience.
When it comes to creating a website for your business, you will need to go through a process known as web design and development. Ever since the Internet came into existence, people have been following this method to craft their very own websites.
What exactly is web design and development?
First of all, you need to know that web design and web development are two different things. Web design refers to the creation of a website’s overall feel and aesthetics. For the most part, it focuses on a site’s visual elements, such as layout, colour, font, and graphics.
On the other hand, web development is the technical aspect of building a website. This method revolves around a site’s functionality and structure, intending to enhance its performance and provide visitors with an exceptional user experience (UX).
In summary, you can distinguish the difference between web design and web development based on their separate fields. Web design is all about visuals, while web development centres itself on performance and technicalities. In the end, both are equally important for developing a high-quality website.
Either way, you should probably invest in web design and development services to get the best of both worlds. Consider outsourcing your services to a web design agency in Singapore that houses experienced web designers and developers who could build a website for your business.
Also, many things have changed since the early days of web design and development. Some widely used web design templates and techniques back then are obsolete today. Because of this, you might want to hire expert web designers and developers for their knowledge of modern web design and development. Their expertise could be the key to the success of your website creation.
The landscape of web design and development is constantly changing, so you always have to watch out for the latest trends and changes. Let’s take a deeper look at the importance and benefits of web design and development, starting with the former.
Part I: How Does Web Design Work?
What Is Web Design?
Web design in Singapore is the creation of a website based on its visual appearance and overall feel. Besides visual elements such as colour, font, and graphics, web design also involves a plethora of other factors, mainly:
- Content
- Usability
- Web visibility
- Navigation
- Interaction
All of these fundamental elements play a vital role in search engine optimisation (SEO). By designing an aesthetically pleasing and easy to navigate website, you can increase your rankings, maximise your online presence, and eventually gain leads.
Most importantly, not only does it help in boosting your SEO rankings, but web design is integral for providing your customers with an excellent digital experience on your website. Once potential customers visit your website, they could already get an impression of your business right away. For that reason, you must ensure your website boasts a high-quality visual design. Doing so will help you set a positive first impression for your audience.
Since it takes time and skill to develop an attractive website, professional web designers go through extensive training. You can trust them to provide you with reliable web design services in Singapore.
Did you know that there are different types of web design services?
Find out the types of web design services here.
The Different Types Of Web Design
1. Fixed Web Design
Fixed web design is one of the oldest types of web design on this list. This layout design uses a fixed width in pixels. That means regardless of the user’s device and screen size, the layout of a fixed website will remain the same, and all of the elements stay the same in proportion and shape.
For desktop users, a fixed website usually does not pose any technical issues. However, mobile users with different screen sizes could find the fixed layout design horrendous since the website elements stay the same. As a result, they could have a more frustrating time navigating through the website due to the large size of the layout and proportions.
2. Responsive Web Design
Responsive web design aims to make websites run perfectly on devices of any shape and size. With this type of web design, your entire website, including various elements, should adjust accordingly. Each website element should shrink or stretch, depending on the size of the screen.
With responsive web design, your website should run at an optimal pace on any device. It is an excellent way to ensure that visitors have a splendid experience visiting your website, no matter what type of device they use.
3. Fluid/Liquid Web Design
Fluid or liquid web design is a unique type of web design that allows a website to flow smoothly into the available space on a browser, depending on the size and shape of the device’s screen.
It sounds a bit similar to responsive web design, but in reality, it is quite different. With fluid or liquid web design, the site’s layout should shrink or stretch in size, except for the proportion of the elements that will remain the same.
Compared to responsive design, fluid or liquid design is much less flexible. Images and videos will stay at a fixed size, which could cause some problems for mobile users with small screen sizes.
4. Adaptive Web Design
With adaptive web design, you will use different versions of your layout design based on the device’s screen size.
Think of it this way: imagine that you have five fixed layouts of your website. Each succeeding design is smaller than the other. The user’s device shall pick a version of your layout design depending on the appropriate size available.
When it comes to adaptive web design, you need to create multiple layouts, which might be costly. On the bright side, adaptive web design allows you to design website layouts specifically for different devices. Plus, adaptive websites usually load fast.
The Different Types Of Websites
1. Ecommerce Website
If your goal is to develop a customer-friendly online store, then an ecommerce website is what you need.
When planning an ecommerce website design strategy in Singapore, your goal is to create quality content for your customers. You have to make sure your entire ecommerce website is easily accessible and navigational. Showcase your products by writing in-depth descriptions and using high-quality images.
LEARN MORE: The Importance Of Web Design And Development For Your Ecommerce Business In Singapore
A successful ecommerce website design strategy boils down to four components:
- Easy navigation
- Well-structured layout
- Optimised product pages
- Convenient checkout system.
Once you have all of this put together, your online store can be ready to provide customers with a great shopping experience.
2. Landing Page
To truly capture your customer’s attention, try designing a quality landing page.
A landing page is a web page that shows up in response to a user clicking on paid ads, emails, or marketing promotions. The purpose of designing a landing page is to convert leads into sales. That is why your landing page should include a captivating call to action (CTA), so you can encourage potential customers to contact you, purchase your product, or explore other pages on your website.
Also, when it comes to landing pages, simplicity is king. A cluttered landing page could only distract and overwhelm your customers. Instead, try keeping it simple by using white space to emphasise your CTA and images, as well as get straight to the point.
3. Blog
A typical blog usually presents updated articles every day, week, or month, depending on the writer’s choice. While you can create a website that exclusively delivers consistent blog posts, you can also add a blog page to your website. In doing so, you can provide your website visitors with fresh content.
If you decide to create a blog, make sure you have enough time and effort to invest in blogging. Your blog needs to offer relevant and valuable information to readers. Prevent your blog from being outdated by creating quality content consistently.
4. Educational Website
Educational institutions such as schools and tuition centres have a website that contains all of the necessary information you need to know about them. When exploring an educational website, you can read through content that describes the institution’s history, curriculum, and courses.
5. Web Portal
Web portals contain links to external websites. As the name suggests, the purpose of a web portal is to transfer users to other sites. Because of this, you can expect most web portals to acquire a high volume of traffic.
The Benefits Of Web Design For Businesses
Excellent web design is a worthwhile investment that can influence your audience and increase your return on investment (ROI). Here’s why you should invest in web design services.
1. Keep Customers Browsing Your Website For Longer Periods
Most people find it hard to concentrate on poorly designed materials. Distracting elements on your website can be off-putting for your customers, thus causing them to leave in just a few seconds.
Fortunately, with professional web design services, you can offer a more presentable website to your customers. Good design can help users flow from one page to another with relevant CTAs, thus increasing dwell time and reducing bounce rates.
2. Gain Leads And Boost Sales
Presentation is a factor that influences a customer’s decision to purchase. Attract more customers with brilliant web design and aesthetics. By positioning the call-to-actions appropriately on your website, it can lead and guide them to make an action, such as leaving their particulars or making a purchase.
3. Set A Good First Impression
An amateurish website with outdated web design might discourage your customers from engaging with your business. In that case, remember to make a good impression of your brand for first-time customers by designing your website professionally. Adopt the latest web design trends and techniques to maintain your credibility.
Websites are like the storefronts of a physical establishment. Since the goal is to portray the right image for your brand, try to implement prominent branding elements for your business, including a striking colour scheme with attention-grabbing graphics.
4. Provide Customers With A Convenient Online Shopping Experience
For online entrepreneurs, running an ecommerce website can be challenging. You have to give your customers an excellent shopping experience, starting with developing a customer-friendly online store.
The good news is that professional ecommerce website design services can benefit your business in many ways, such as:
- Generate higher conversion rates
- Build trust
- Analyse your customer’s behaviour
- Stay open 24/7
- Offer customers valuable information about your business
Most importantly, with web design for your ecommerce website, you can provide your customers with a convenient shopping experience. The goal is to design your website specifically for ecommerce to let customers shop with ease. You could make it easier for them to purchase your products and explore your online store, thus earning their trust in the process and increasing the likelihood of boosting sales.
5. Enhance Your Site’s UX
Five minutes of your customer’s time is all you need to convince them that your products are worth purchasing. Doing so requires you to understand the customer’s journey. Find out what makes the customer’s time on your website a worthwhile experience.
For instance, you could reduce loading times so customers can navigate through your website freely without any delay. As a result, they could spend more time on your website, eventually increasing their chances of making a purchase.
The Relationship Between User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) Design
UI and UX are essential parts of web design. Both of these affect a customer’s experience when navigating your website, so design an excellent UI and UX to create a long-lasting connection between you and your customers.
Before that, you need to know the difference between UI and UX.
UI design refers to a website’s control, feel, and appearance. To incorporate excellent UI, you need to make sure your website is easily navigational and has responsive controls. Apart from that, your website must also look attractive, so focus on necessary visual elements, such as colours, themes, icons, and buttons.
On the other hand, UX design is the customer’s experience with your product from start to finish. In the case of web design, UX is a customer’s journey on a website. You can determine if your website has a successful UX design if customers have a pleasant experience.
Simply put, UI design is for creating excellent visuals and interactive controls, while UX design is about understanding the customer journey. When it comes to the latter, you could say that it focuses more on planning and research. Both work together as crucial elements of web design.
In conclusion, UI and UX play significant roles in your web design strategy, so consider hiring experienced designers to help you build the perfect customer-friendly website for your business.
LEARN MORE: UX vs UI: What Is The Difference?
The Best Examples Of Web Design In 2021
Need inspiration for your website design and layout? Here are some of the best examples of web design in Singapore this 2021.
1. Clean Care
Clean Care is a top cleaning services provider in Singapore. You can count on them to ensure your home or establishment is 100% spotless. Thanks to their well-designed website, you can quickly notice Clean Care’s contact details on top of the homepage and CTA button below, allowing you to get in touch with the business in any way you want.
2. Union Power
Simplicity reigns supreme when it comes to Union Power’s website. Notice how the use of white space highlights the site’s buttons and layout. The site is simple, accessible, and easy to use, making its web design a brilliant basis for beginner websites.
3. Nature’s Spa
Sometimes, a beautiful combination of colours is all it takes to make your brand stand out. Such is the case for Nature’s Spa, where the company’s website uses a clever colour scheme of charcoal and cream that match the brand’s colours, thus helping with branding. You can visit Nature’s Spa here to check out their website and view a wide selection of natural skincare products.
4. Danish Design
Another exceptional example of simplicity is Danish Design’s website. Aside from the simple colour scheme that consists of light tones and shades, the homepage has almost everything you need to know about Danish Design. The scrolling banner displays information that will benefit customers. Also, customers can find the type of furniture they are looking for, thanks to the well-arranged furniture categories at the bottom of the homepage.
5. WeCAN Movers
WeCAN Movers is a moving company in Singapore. The prominent colour scheme of yellow, black, and yellow combined with the font and typeface make the website instantly eye-catchy. Not to mention, you can conveniently click on various CTA buttons scattered throughout the website.
Part II: The Importance Of Web Development For Businesses
What Is Web Development?
Unlike web design, web development focuses on performance and functionality. Instead of aesthetics, the purpose of web development is to ensure that your website is performing perfectly. Besides improving your site’s loading times, you also have to make sure your website is user-friendly and well-secured against malware.
Every business needs a website, and the key to that is web development. Consider building a high-quality website through extensive web development that will cover all the necessary grounds to achieve your goals. From website maintenance to cybersecurity, all of these web-based services can help you connect with your customers online.
Here are the different types of web development services.
The Different Types Of Web Development Services
1. Content Management System (CMS)
A Content Management System (CMS) is software for managing, creating, and editing content. With this software platform, you can build a website from scratch without going through a complicated process.
Nonetheless, CMS services can be very complex for beginners. That is why most companies outsource CMS services to a website development company in Singapore.
With CMS services, you can do the following:
- Update your current systems
- Improve website speed
- Customise your website
- Simplify your web design
- Enhance your cybersecurity
- Store content
- Assign roles to users
In summary, CMS has user-friendly features that will let you manage your website conveniently. The best part is that it does not require any special knowledge of coding or web development.
However, managing a CMS website can still be tricky and time-consuming, which is why it might be a good idea to hire a website development company that can help. With a web developer’s expertise in CMS management, publish more content, manage your workflow, and handle on-page optimisation tasks.
2. Website Maintenance
Building a website is just the beginning. You also have to maintain your website and ensure it is running smoothly. Technical issues could arise anytime, so you have to be on the lookout from time to time.
To prevent any problems from harming your website, you can invest in maintenance services. A website development company will monitor your website and keep it error-free.
3. Ecommerce Web Development
Designing an online store is one thing, but it is another to develop an online store. The goal is to craft a fully operational online store with user-friendly features for your customers.
Web development is vital for your ecommerce website since you have to run your online business regularly. Primary tasks for this service include maintaining your site’s performance, optimising your product pages, and promoting your physical store. All of these are achievable with excellent ecommerce web development services.
The Benefits Of Web Development For Businesses
Both web design and web development are beneficial for your business. Here’s why you should invest in website development services in Singapore.
1. Boost Your SEO Rankings
Search engine optimization (SEO) is one of the most relevant digital marketing strategies today. Without it, you will have a hard time trying to attract more customers online.
Fortunately, part of website development is creating an SEO-friendly website. You can improve your online presence and SEO rankings to reach your target audience online.
How exactly does web development help in boosting SEO rankings?
Search engines like Google use bots or crawlers to analyse websites by crawling through them first. During this process, the search engine bots check for signs of crawl errors, duplicate content, and other technical issues. If these problems are present on your website, search engine bots could give you a low ranking.
The good news is that web developers can ensure your website is devoid of any technical issues. With their help, you can monitor and optimise your site’s performance regularly, thus improving your online presence and boosting your SEO rankings.
2. Reach More Customers
With an increase in SEO rankings on search engine results pages (SERPs), your website is now capable of reaching far more potential customers than ever before. As more traffic gets driven to your website, your SEO rankings increase, too. Eventually, your improved web visibility should lead to more and more customers visiting your website.
Increased web visibility allows your website to become much more visible on search engines. As a result, more and more people could click on links to your website, thus increasing your click-through rate (CTR) in the process.
3. Speed Up Your Website
Did you know that 40% of consumers will wait around three seconds before they abandon a website?
When it comes to browsing the Internet, almost everyone hates slow loading times. That is why you need to improve your website speed at all costs. Implement effective website maintenance to speed up your loading times. In doing so, your customers will have a more splendid experience browsing your website.
Part III: How To Choose The Right Web Design And Development Agency For Your Business
The Cost Of Website Design & Development Services
Outsourcing your web design and development services is a guaranteed way to succeed. You can rely on the skills of web designers and developers to help you build a high-quality website.
The only downside is that hiring an agency is usually more expensive than building a website on your own. However, hiring a web design company is a much better choice, business-wise. It is a worthwhile investment in the long run since you build an SEO-friendly website, implement better web design strategies, and use the latest web development technologies, which leads to higher returns.
Here is how much it costs to invest in web design and development.
Ultimately, the amount of money you have to pay for web design and development services depends on a few crucial factors. Some of these factors include:
- The number of web pages you want to create
- Copywriting and content creation
- Use of software tools and platforms
- SEO
Lastly, you also have to consider the amount of time required for your hired web designers and developers to build and maintain your website. The more time and effort needed to reach your goals, the more costly it will be to invest in web design and development.
4 Tips For Choosing The Right Agency
What are the factors to consider when choosing a web design company? Since there are hundreds of companies to choose from, you need to take your time and hire one that can meet your needs.
1. Define Your Goals And Objectives
To find an agency that can help you reach your goals, you need to create a list of objectives. Define your goals first, then communicate them to a web design and development company. It will let the company know whether or not they can help you succeed.
2. Check The Agency’s Portfolio
Before hiring a web design and development agency, check the portfolio. You can view the agency’s previous works with other clients. Doing so should give you additional insight into the agency’s level of expertise.
3. Create A Budget Plan
How much money are you capable of spending on web design and development? Find out right away, then create a budget plan to help you pick an agency that offers web design services in Singapore for the right price.
4. Choose An SEO-Savvy Agency
Incorporate SEO with web design to grow an audience and improve your online presence. To do so, you should probably hire a web design company that also specialises in SEO. With an SEO-savvy agency’s expertise, you can improve your site’s web visibility on search engines like Google.
Contact OOm Today!
Consider partnering with OOm today! As an award-winning digital marketing agency in Singapore, OOm specialises in SEO, digital marketing, website development, and many more.
Contact OOm to learn more about digital marketing and website development.
