I know you might not be hoping for this, but you need a CRAP website if you want to get your business noticed on the internet. Now, let’s first clear this up. This is not the crap you are thinking about. Like, oh crap… I left the chicken in the oven and now it’s going to be dry. No, this is a positive crap, this is the kinda crap you want. Because this CRAP applies to excellent web design and stands for Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, and Proximity.

You Need a CRAP Website Infographic

contrast is essential to your web design

Contrast is the difference in visual properties that makes an object distinguishable from other objects and the background. Take a look at Apple they have got the whole contrast thing wrapped up! The juxtaposing visual concepts, despite being so close to each other are strikingly different because of the use of contrast. This is visually yummy to your audience who are naturally drawn to the variations.

so, how do you achieve perfect contrast? For starters…

  1. Things that are similar should be grouped together
  2. Things that need to be highlighted should be done so with contrast
  3. If you are looking to separate content, try using contrast because you might just find it works
  4. Use contrast for a call to action or something that is clearly supposed to be a next step you want someone to take on your website

repetition makes the user experience seamless

Repetition is the repeat styles down the page for a cohesive feel. When a user is on your site, their mind needs to be able to absorb a lot of information quickly. Making them learn a new concept every time they scroll is exhausting, and may mean they actually leave. Make your audience feel more comfortable when interacting with your website by using consistent elements and repeating styles.

how you can achieve perfect repetition:

  1. Use consistent elements or repeating styles to create a consistent look and feel
  2. If elements involve a certain style, use it elsewhere in your website when referring to that element
  3. Repetition makes the user experience more thoughtful and intuitive

alignment should never be overlooked when creating a website

Alignment is simply lining up the top, bottom, sides, or middle of text or graphic elements on a page. It’s true that it is often those little things that create a truly beautiful user experience. If there is one thing I have really learned when creating websites, it is that you can never overlook the power of a few pixels when finessing your design.

Good alignment is a reflection of the quality of the website. It could be the difference between a professional-looking site, and one that is the bad kind of crap.

how to achieve perfect alignment:

  1. Check, check, check – Have multiple eyeballs looking over your pages and alignment
  2. Use centre align sparingly
  3. Opt for left align
  4. Do not use right align unless it is truly called for
  5. When aligning items, make sure you use correct spacing, padding and font sizes

proximity could make or break the look and feel of your website

Proximity is the property of being close together. It is used to connect related content into tasty morsels which are digestible by the audience. Clear separation means your users can navigate and consume information a lot faster than they can when presented with a mile of text or just an image.

how to achieve perfect proximity:

  • Proximity gives content, context
  • Related elements should be grouped
  • Really think about your rows and columns when creating a website design

If you would like to discuss your CRAP website, or would just like some friendly advice, contact businessDEPOT Marketing. We love talking websites… and CRAP websites even more so!

 

Originally authored by Tyson Cobb.