What is Good Website Design?

What distinguishes good website design from mediocre or bad website design?

That’s pretty important to know before you design a new website for your church, school, ministry or business, right?

In this Website Design Frequently Asked Questions (Web Design FAQs) video blog, I address the question What is good website design? by looking at 5 Essential Elements of Good Website Design.

(The article below is a summary of the video, but you’ll get more details and examples if you watch the video.)

5 Essential Elements of Good Website Design

1. Visually Appealing

The first thing that stands out when it comes to good website design is its visual appeal. Your website needs to look good and resonate with your visitors.

Photos are key. You can’t just throw in stock photos; you need real, high-quality images that showcase the people behind your organization.

Authenticity is key. These images help folks understand who you are and forge a connection with your organization.

2. Consistency with Your Brand

Another vital aspect of good web design is consistency with your brand. Your website should reflect your organization’s tone and identity. If you’re a serious organization, your design should convey that seriousness and authority. If you’re all about fun and creativity, your website should scream it from the virtual rooftops.

If you’ve got a logo (and you should), ensure that your website’s style and colors align with it. Consistency in branding matters.

3. Intuitive Navigation

A well-designed website should be easy to navigate. It should feel intuitive. Visitors should effortlessly find what they’re looking for, almost as if they’re being guided without realizing it. The naming and placement of pages and submenus matters here. A user should never have to struggle to locate vital information.

4. Mobile-Friendly and Responsive

In our mobile-centric world, your website must be mobile-friendly and responsive. It needs to look great and function properly regardless of the device visitors are using—whether it’s a desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Your website should adapt seamlessly to provide an excellent user experience no matter the screen size. For more on this, see What is responsive website design?

5. Mission and Goals

Most of all, good website design helps you live out your mission and reach your goals.

If your website isn’t helping you do that, it’s missing the mark.

• Church leaders, your site should connect people with your congregation and encourage them to join your services.
• School leaders, parents should be able to easily find information and be able to schedule visits or submit applications.
• Ministry leaders, your website should convey the purpose of your ministry and spur people to action.
• Christian business leaders, your website should clearly communicate who you are and what you do, call people to purchase your products or services, or prompt them to seek more information.

Your website is your online ambassador—it should work for you.

Partner with our team to build a beautiful, effective website

If your current website is not helping you connect with new people, serve more people and grow, maybe its time to get a website that does that for you.

If you have any other questions about business, nonprofit or church website design or SEO services, we would love to talk with you. 

Compete the form below (mobile) or to the right (deskto) to schedule a free consultation!

Comment and discuss

• Which of these 5 elements of good website design resonates most with you?
• Is there anything else you think is an essential part of good website design?

Read or watch more Web Design FAQs