Your website is the heart of your online business; it is the virtual image of your business, whether it is physically there or not. People cannot see you physically when doing business online, as they could if they were dealing with an offline organization. As a result, people do judge you by your covers. This is why a good website design comes into play.

Consider running an offline business. Would you allow your salespeople to be dressed shabbily or casually when dealing with your customers? By requiring your employees to dress professionally, you demonstrate to your customers that you value quality. This works because initial impressions are important.

The same is true for your website. If your website is sloppy and appears to be a 5-minute “quick fix,” you are basically shouting to your visitors that you are not professional and do not value quality.

On the other, if you have a highly professional website layout, you give your visitors the impression that you have paid thorough attention to every aspect and that you value professionalism. You are well-organized, focused, and serious about your business.

Not just your website, everything relating to your business should be nicely designed. Every detail matters, from business cards to letterheads to promotional brochures. This is because, as your company grows, these objects become the face of your company. Consider the “salesperson dressed shabbily” analogy once more, and you’ll see what I mean.

Characteristics of a good website design