By Max Chekalov, DesignAdvisor
When setting up a website for your optometry practice, what is the most important thing to focus on? Do you allow clients to schedule their appointments online? Do you focus on using beautiful images? Or do you make the site mobile-responsive?
The site’s functionality is paramount, but it’s not going to make a difference if people aren’t enticed to take a look. More important than what features you’re going to add is the first impression your site creates. In this post, we’ll look at some ways to create a great first impression.
Start with Loading Speed
Your site should load in three seconds or less. Web users are notoriously impatient, so they won’t wait around for your page to load. That means it’s imperative to check how any added elements will affect the loading time.
Videos and images are big files that can bloat your site. Ensure that videos are hosted offsite and that image files are compressed.
Make Use of Color Psychology
Color psychology is extremely useful here. As optometrists, it’s important to build trust and give an image of professionalism. You’ll want your site to look elegant and reassuring.
Blue is a color that inspires trust. That’s why you’ll often see financial institutions using blue in their branding. Red, on the other hand, increases the heart rate. It’s too energetic to be calming and also signals alarm. It’s not ideal when you want to convey a calm, reassuring image.
Choose the primary color that you want to use: let’s assume that it will be blue. All fonts, backgrounds, and even the images on your site should tie into that color scheme. Think, for example, of a photograph of a woman sunning herself in Greece and wearing killer sunglasses. Finally, tie it all together by using blues in complementary hues.
Check out the graphic at the bottom of the story for even more connections between colors.
Check Your Font
Do use a simple, easy to read font. Black font on a light background is usually a good option. Keep in mind that a lot of people will view your site from their mobile devices. As a result, simpler fonts like Arial and Times New Roman are best.
Keep the Layout Clean
A cluttered layout will cost you dearly when it comes to visitors. Take this post as an example. What if it was all one block of text with no subtitles? Would you have still been as eager to read it? Or would it have seemed too intimidating? Would you have felt that it was professionally written?
A professional layout is:
• Easy to scan
• Split into sections using meaningful subtitles
• Split into paragraphs of shorter lengths
When it comes to layout, whitespace is your friend. It helps create a more uncluttered feeling. Using the tips above will help you keep the layout clean.
At the end of the day, the internet is a very visual medium. By using the tips listed above, you’ll be one step closer to creating a visually appealing site and leave a lasting impression on your visitors.
Check out this great graphic created by designadvisor.net.
