It’s no surprise that using a smartphone is the most popular way to browse the internet. It’s convenient, but small screens make some website features hard to see.
That’s where a minimalist web design comes into play. The word “minimalist” technically translates into “less is more.”
Since people are on their phones more than ever, it’s important not to crowd your website with useless features. When you keep it simple, it makes for a better user experience.
Ready to learn more about creating a minimalist web design?
Let’s get into it!
Utilize White Space
The quickest way to achieve a minimalist look is by incorporating lots of white space. But this doesn’t mean you make your whole background color white and call it a day.
White space translates into negative space. It’s letting the images or text speak for themselves. They don’t need an overwhelming background to match.
The purpose of using negative space is to draw the user’s attention to whatever you want them to look at.
Take Apple, for example. They use a colorless background to set the focus on the newest iPhone.
It allows the user to see nothing else but the product in front of them along with some text. When you incorporate white space into your design, the other elements become less distracting.
But that doesn’t mean the color has to be white. You can have a vibrant or other neutral color but just make sure you keep everything else simple.
The key to achieving white space is to not add it. It’s all about removing things users would find meaningless. If it doesn’t add value, don’t include it.
Editing becomes important and you need to resist putting in unnecessary elements.
Include Typography
Since you’re keeping everything else simple, it’s okay to go big and bold with text. Valiant typography draws the eye to the content, making it a focal point.
The thing to keep in mind is to keep the font readable. If users can’t make out what it says, it’s a no-go.
Good typography can evoke emotions within people. It can tell them all about your website in a matter of seconds.
It can show them you’re modern or old-fashioned. It can give them a sense of stability or an eerie feeling.
Whichever feeling you’re trying to achieve with your design, remember to keep it clean and readable. The type of emotion you want to avoid is confusion.
It’s a sure fire way to prevent visitors from coming back.
A Minimalist Web Design Needs Easy Navigation
When it comes to being user-friendly, having a simple, readable navigation menu is essential. It should be easy to find and give users access to everywhere on your site.
You want to have it somewhere it can be accessed from anywhere and people won’t have trouble finding it. When it comes to mobile, and some web designs, the hamburger icon is the most common.
That’s when there are three lines on top of one another. When clicked, they open the full menu where users can select a page.
It keeps a page clean and users have become accustomed to seeing this icon. They know that when opened, they can navigate to other content on your site.
It works well for a minimalist web design because it keeps the focus on the content of your pages, not the menu.
But if you prefer the look of a traditional menu, make sure the font is readable and at a good size. You don’t want users squinting to see where they’re clicking next.
Also, remember to keep the colors simple. Bright colors can be off-putting, making it difficult to read.
Add Background Photography
Are you looking to make an impact with your minimalist web design? Nothing does it better than using oversized photos.
These photos take up the whole background but don’t go below the fold. They make a huge visual impact without being overwhelming.
To achieve the minimalist look, choose photos that aren’t cluttered. The same rules apply to web design as with the photos. Keep it simple, include white or negative space and have the focus be set on the subject.
The point is to not make it distracting.
Photography that has a lot going on can confuse or even frustrate the viewer. It’s all about striking a balance.
The photo should be crisp and clear when uploaded. If it’s grainy, you can reduce the size while still making an impact.
Use a Flat Design
To achieve a complete minimalist web design is to incorporate what’s called the flat design. This brings together all the elements listed above in harmony.
Flat design is exactly how it sounds. It uses a simpler interface that makes usability a must.
It’s a great way to make your site stand out without being over-the-top. It keeps the focus on the content while the colors and other elements are kept to a minimum.
There’s a lot of negative space mixed with clean edges. The contrast between two or three colors gives it a look of sophistication while giving it that something “extra.”
The flat design is made to be visually appealing. It wasn’t made to be cluttered but rather let the features be the standout.
When used in a minimalist web design, it eliminates distractions. The user can focus on what’s important to them. They don’t want to see a million choices as to where they can go to on your website.
They want the most important pages at the forefront. This why the flat design works so well is because it gives the users what they want upfront rather than having to search for it.
It brings together the ease of navigation with beautiful design. When it comes to the flat design, you really can’t go wrong.
Wrapping Up
The key to a well-designed website is to keep it minimal. All of the elements should work together without overshadowing the other.
Now that you know what goes into a minimalist website, it’s time to implement the SEO part of it. Every package of mine includes well-written content delivered monthly, social links, monthly reporting and more.
