Walt Whitman once wrote: “Simplicity is the glory of expression” – a thought very much applicable in today’s world as well. With so many technological improvements and innovations in the modern world, consumerism has become a complex and fickle beast. And companies are taking different and shifting approaches in taming it, each with the mission to grow their business as much as possible. However, sometimes taking the simpler approach can be just as effective (if not more). Movers Development is a company that has created and maintains its fair share of moving company websites. And we’ve had a variety of responses for the websites we helped develop. Today, we take a closer look at the benefits of minimalist web design to discover just how effective it can be.
The challenges of minimalism – how to achieve more with less?
Most people naturally assume that minimalism is easy to master and simple to implement. The truth is that it takes a lot of time and research to create a simplistic design that is rich enough to boost your website traffic and get your message across. It comes down to finding the balance between that minimalist web design and user experience for site visitors. And this is the #1 obstacle all web designers face. You can start by learning the difference between simple vs. minimalist web design:
- Simple web design focuses on reducing the complexity of existing website elements.
- Minimalist web design requires the reduction of unnecessary elements on a website, making it simple and easy-to-use.
However, when you strip down a website from certain elements, you risk introducing an overwhelming cognitive load as well as the degradation of user experience. And that is why finding that balance is so important. These are two principles that can help guide you along that path:
Keep it simple but not limiting
Making the call to remove visual signifiers for interactive sections or visible navigation options can reduce the overall user experience if not done with care. You make the interface cleaner but you also make it more challenging for site visitors to navigate through the website. So, one of the most obvious mistakes that people make when chasing after minimalistic web design is the introduction of hidden navigation.
When you decide to hide certain options behind UI elements, users spend more time trying to figure out how to work your website rather than focusing on what your website offers. This can have a negative effect on your attempt to reduce the bounce rate on your site. Instead, you need to maintain clarity on your website. Make it simple but do not limit site visitors to the breaking point.
Keep it simple but not primitive
When you mention the notion of minimalist web design, most people automatically associate it with a primitive design. However, there is a line to draw between a simple and primitive website design. And that is a line that you need to make sure not to cross when creating your new website. While it is good to simplify the layout of your website, this does not mean that you should oversimplify its functionality. Instead, you want to create a responsive web design that will be sophisticated and contain all necessary elements. The idea here is to make the content on your website more transparent for users and not more primitive.
10 benefits of minimalist web design to consider
#1: Faster page loading speed
As we’ve explained in the past, page loading speed is one of the more important factors for your moving company SEO efforts. In fact, web pages that take below 3 seconds to load have a low bounce rate and increased traffic. With minimalist web design, there are fewer items that can slow down a page for browsers to present to users. And when you have a website that loads fast on all devices, you have a strong foundation to rank higher on search results and among site visitors.
#2: Focuses users on content
There are countless websites that attempt to mask the presence of bad content or lack of any content with flashy web design features and functions. The truth is that people love engaging and quality content on websites. Consumers need that visual argument to convince them that your product or services are better than others. The more informative and convincing your content is, the more likely it will be able to convert leads into actual customers.
#3: Boosts conversion rates
When you combine clear and engaging content with minimalistic design, you get a great foundation for higher conversion rates. Modern consumers avoid having to waste time on figuring out what a website is about and what they are trying to sell them. Instead, you want a quality image with a short tagline that will be able to tell the entire story of what it is that you are offering. Minimalism offers just that, with higher conversion rates to match.
#4: Easy maintenance
Traditional, heavy-duty websites with complex design and functionality are much harder to maintain. In addition to constant updates and plugins, you need to constantly work on UX and improving website security. One of the benefits of minimalist web design is that they are much easier to keep in check. Since they have fewer elements by nature, the upkeep is simpler and lighter. You end up saving time and energy.
#5: No pop-ups to annoy site visitors
Pop-ups present an established marketing strategy that is very much present on websites to this day. Although most businesses no longer take the direct “BUY NOW” approach with their pop-ups, it is still frowned upon by consumers that visit websites. Fortunately, minimalist web design removes the notion of pop-ups from the equation, leaving room for consumers to discover your offer and make their buying decision much less pressured.
#6: Blank space positively affects user experience
This is where conflicts occur. Whereas one side considers all the white space to make the website appear incomplete, the other side considers it to give the entire website a more “Zen” vibe. It’s important for users to not feel cluttered when they land on your website. They need to have that relaxing freedom of taking the time to explore the several key elements on your website and ponder on them. The additional white space on your website gives users room to breathe and get attached to your website.
#7: Easier navigation
Being a great salesman rests on one’s ability to guide others to the perfect solution to their problem. When people visit your website, it is your job to make it easy for them to find what they are looking for in a matter of seconds. Therein lies one of the core benefits of minimalist web design – it is a beacon for site visitors to find exactly what they need. Be creating and simplistic design with an engaging call to action – you point consumers in the direction they need to go.
#8: Use of Unique Value Proposition (UVP)
Minimalistic web design champions the use of Unique Value Proposition to carry the message that will establish your brand and convert visitors into customers. It all comes down to creating a clear and concise tagline that will leave a lasting impression on anyone that reads it. So, it’s basically a matching minimalistic approach to advertising your business through the use of a headline. And minimalistic web design is a great stadium for UVPs – putting the spotlight on them and implanting them in the mind of all site visitors.
#9: Your company appears larger than it is
The psychology of consumers tends to associate corporations and big businesses with sophisticated design patterns of their websites. Hence, when you implement a more simplistic approach to the layout of your website, people will be able to look at the big picture, not being swayed by all the usual clutter in the process. This leads their minds to the conclusion that they are in fact dealing with a more professional and larger company than you actually are. And this can create a lasting impression on most users.
#10: Better usability
Online authority and presence today is largely dependant on the user experience a website offers. And this is one of the core values that companies look to imprint in their brand when they are looking to become an authority in their respective niches. By having a responsive web design that customers can interact with easily and quickly with, you gain a competitive advantage over others.
The last of the benefits of minimalist web design on our list is that it offers optimal usability when implemented properly. When you create that landing page that customers can connect to within seconds, you have something that will help develop your brand in the years to come.
Start working on the perfect design for your website today
Movers Development is a company rich in experience when it comes to creating websites and building strong & authoritative moving company brands. Our team understands the needs of the moving industry and how different consumers respond to different designs, quote forms, calls to action, etc. With our guidance, you can create the perfect image of your company through your website.
- Contact us today to schedule a free analysis of your website and start re-shaping your moving business!
