For your first website design, go with something simple.

This appears to be a no-brainer, doesn't it? However, we can get overly ambitious at times and become discouraged as a result. It's a good idea to start with something basic and enjoyable for your first endeavor. Ecommerce sites are more sophisticated and should be tackled when you've gained more experience.

A blog is an excellent place to begin. It will be a useful design exercise, and you will get knowledge of how a Content Management System (CMS) operates, which will be useful for future site designs. The best part is that you don't have to start from the beginning. There are a plethora of blog themes available to make it simple to create one.

Templates are an excellent learning aid. Observing how HTML, CSS, and Javascript elements are styled and combined will provide you with a better understanding of how a design works. Templates can be used as a starting point for making adjustments and adaptations.

If you don't want to establish a blog, try drawing inspiration from your artistic endeavors or hobbies. Consider creating a portfolio for your photographs or a collection of short stories. Making a design that incorporates a hobby of yours is a fun first project.

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Pay attention to the typeface.

We often read without even realizing the typefaces we're using. As you consume content, pay attention to the impact of type. Is that menu's font readable? What is it about the hand-lettered sign for the small shop that makes it so effective? There are letters all over the place. Make a list of both good and negative typographic choices.

Typewolf is a fantastic tool for keeping track of popular typefaces. It offers a lot of lists to go through, as well as a featured site of the day and lookbooks with amazing font combinations. It's helpful to see real-world examples of typography in action, and websites like Typewolf are a terrific location to do just that. Learning about different fonts will aid you in selecting the best type for your initial website design.

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Investigate various design styles.

There are numerous design disciplines to be familiar with. Product design, illustration, and even branding expertise can help you expand your creative abilities.

Abduzeedo provides excellent examples of inspiration that go beyond web design. You'll see wonderful instances of design done correctly, whether it's poster art, luggage, or furniture. Be open to a variety of design styles and actively seek ideas. It will be easier to construct your first website if you have more knowledge. Intuition is informed by education.

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Prepare content before you begin.

Putting content first means having ready-to-use content before beginning to create your first website.

It doesn't need to be flawless. You may always go back and make changes to improve your Google SEO (search engine optimization). However, having a preliminary draft of what will go live will aid in ensuring that the design is set up to accommodate it. Using real content when designing provides you a better idea of how the website will look and perform. It also allows you to make adjustments sooner in the design process.

You'll need a post ready to test in the CMS for blogs. Having a handful of posts ready to go before you start will prevent you from having to scramble to come up with something after the fact.

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Maintain a simple and intuitive design.

No one wants to struggle with your design, whether it's content, navigation, or CTAs.

Your design strategy should be based on order and simplicity. Someone should be able to navigate the site with easily using logic. This is a fantastic location to introduce UX because we're talking about the people who will engage with what you've developed.

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Understand the fundamentals of user experience (UX).

A website is more than simply a bunch of words floating around in cyberspace. The color scheme, content, font, layout, and photography all work together to serve and evoke emotion in your audience. Someone roaming through the digital world you've created should be able to follow a clear path without encountering any barriers.

Understanding your audience is the focus of UX. What are they seeking for, and how will your design make it easy for them to locate it? Getting into the minds of your audience and experiencing your design through their eyes is what UX is all about.

Keep these guiding UX elements in mind when creating your first website:

Keep things basic and easy to understand.
Organize your thoughts in a logical order.
Meet the needs of your audience and avoid the urge to flaunt your abilities at the expense of usability.
Knowing your audience will aid you in creating a design that is specific to their demands and needs.

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Use design principles to guide your web design process.

Certain rules govern effective design, and it's crucial to learn the fundamentals of web design before getting started. Standard procedures will streamline the process and result in a more refined final product.

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Author: Jared Flenter, Writer

axamo.co

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