The Best Practices for Minimalist Website Design

Jonesen TeamIndustry Insights

Did you know that it takes users only 1/10th of a second to decide if they like your website or not?

Because of this, minimalist website design has grown in popularity as of late. The trend shows no signs of going away, either, and is actually quite easy to master.

But how do you successfully implement a minimalist approach to your website? What design choices should you make? What are the common mistakes that you should avoid?

We have the answers to those questions!

In this article, we’ll discuss a few of the minimalist web design best practices that you should lean heavy on to achieve the desired look.

Now then, let’s get started!

1. Use Whitespace

Whitespace is one of, if not the most important aspect of a minimalist website design.

If you’re not sure what whitespace is, don’t overthink it. Whitespace is simply using the color white prominently in your layout as a “background” color. A white background not only looks clean and aesthetically pleasing, but it also helps tie together all of the design elements on your site.

2. Use Fun Colors

If that white background sounds a bit boring, there’s nothing wrong with bringing in a bit of color! Using fun colors to accent the design of your site can help brighten things up.

Be sure to only use two or three colors that go together. Understanding color palettes and what colors go well together is vital, so be sure to do some research before you make your choice.

3. Get Bold with Your Fonts

Fonts are another design element you can use to spice up the overall feel of your site. Although it’s okay to have fun, be sure to use clean and easy-to-read fonts. Having a website that is hard on the eyes is the opposite of minimalism, so keep your fonts legible.

Like colors, do some research about fonts and what they convey before choosing.

4. Hidden Navigation

Minimalist websites often hide their navigation, sometimes completely. In other words, the links at the top of the page that lead users to other pages on the site are neatly tucked away via a dropdown menu or some other design.

Remember, the overall idea of a minimalist website design is to remove any unnecessary elements and present your content in a clean and orderly fashion. Hiding your navigation is a great way to achieve that goal.

5. Less is More

If you haven’t picked up on it yet, minimalist web design is built around the idea of “less is more.” You can use pictures, photographs, and other fun elements, but just keep it to a minimum. Social media widgets, music, and things of this nature should be avoided completely.

The simplicity of your design will not only be easy to look at but will also put the focus on the most important element of your website: your content.

Minimalist Web Design Best Practices: Now What?

Now that you’re aware of a few minimalist web design best practices, and how to implement them, you’re all set!

Remember, keep things clean and simple, but don’t be afraid to have a little fun, too!

If you’re looking for website design help, contact us today, we’ll be glad to assist you!