An effective and well-made website is much more than just the content it shows, it is the whole experience that a visitor to the site has and whether good or bad depends on you and your design.

Different web design elements can affect the attitude of the viewer and so should be carefully thought about at the outset. Research has been carried out on the effects of colours, font and spacing on the website reviews and it makes interesting reading.

So, what are the key elements that make for a successful website design?

Firstly, the content of your site should be clear, organised and easily navigated. Visitors do not want to be bombarded with irrelevant content and wordy text. Links should work properly to avoid frustration.

Secondly, the way that the pages are set out needs to be uncluttered with little text and only a few images. Too many flashing, scrolling images and banners can make the visitor feel uneasy and will result in them leaving the site.

Lastly, colour and typefaces should be researched to see which best fits your website and ultimately your business. Blue is traditionally used to convey trust that is why many banks and financial institutions use blue in their logos. Fonts need to be easily readable without appearing childish and unprofessional.