What to think about

Considerations for your custom website.

The decisions that shape a site people actually use — I'll walk you through the ones that matter for yours.

Purpose of the Website

Clearly define the goals of the website (e.g., lead generation, e-commerce, portfolio).

Target Audience

Identify the primary audience the website should cater to and what their needs are.

Budget

Set a realistic budget for design, development, and ongoing maintenance costs.

Mobile Responsiveness

Ensure the design will be responsive and function well across all devices (mobile, tablet, desktop).

Website Speed and Performance

Prioritise fast load times and performance, as it impacts user retention and SEO rankings.

Custom vs. Template Design

Decide whether to opt for a fully custom design or a pre-made template based on needs and budget.

Branding and Visual Identity

Incorporate any branding elements (logo, color scheme, typography) into the design.

Integration with Third-Party Tools

Consider integration with tools such as CRM systems, marketing platforms, or e-commerce platforms.

Security Features

Ensure the website has basic security measures like SSL certificates, secure payment gateways (for e-commerce), and proper data protection protocols.

Scalability

Plan for future growth, ensuring the website can handle more traffic or additional functionality as the business evolves.

Call-to-Actions (CTAs)

Strategically place clear and compelling CTAs (e.g., contact forms, “Buy Now” buttons) to guide users towards desired actions.

Legal Compliance

Ensure the website complies with legal regulations such as GDPR, ADA accessibility standards, and privacy policies.

User experience

Considerations for UI/UX design.

What separates an interface people tolerate from one they enjoy — built into every site, not bolted on.

User Research and Personas

Conduct thorough user research and create personas to understand the target audience's needs, behaviors, and preferences.

Wireframing and Prototyping

Develop wireframes and interactive prototypes to map out the structure and flow of the user interface before full design.

Consistency in Design

Ensure design consistency across all screens, elements, and components to create a cohesive and intuitive experience for users.

Accessibility

Incorporate accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) into the design to ensure the interface is usable by all users, including those with disabilities.

Visual Hierarchy

Use visual hierarchy principles like typography, color, and layout to guide users’ attention and make important elements stand out.

Usability Testing

Conduct usability testing with real users to identify pain points, validate design decisions, and refine the interface based on feedback.

Microinteractions and Feedback

Incorporate subtle animations and feedback (e.g., button states, loading indicators) to provide users with clear, immediate responses to their actions.

Content management

Considerations for your CMS.

Choosing a system you can actually keep up to date yourself, without the headaches.

Platform Selection

Choose the most suitable CMS platform (e.g., WordPress, Joomla, Drupal) based on the project's requirements, scalability, and ease of use.

Custom vs. Off-the-Shelf Themes

Decide whether to use a custom-built theme for a unique design or an off-the-shelf theme for faster deployment.

Plugin and Extension Integration

Leverage plugins or extensions to add functionality (e.g., SEO, forms, e-commerce) while ensuring compatibility and avoiding bloat.

User Roles and Permissions

Set up appropriate user roles and permissions within the CMS to control access to content and functionality based on user roles.

Content Workflow and Approvals

Define content creation, editing, and approval workflows to ensure smooth content management and publishing processes.

Security and Updates

Ensure the CMS is secure by implementing security best practices like regular updates, backups, and protection against vulnerabilities.

Multilingual Support

Consider if the CMS needs to support multiple languages for a global audience, and choose or configure the platform accordingly.

Custom Website Design in Edinburgh | Gilded Unicorn