The design of the web page determines how effective the website is going to be. If the design is not up to the mark, it's going to reflect in the popularity of the website. An unpopular website is an ineffective website. It has the kind of design that has proven to be extremely unsuccessful.
So, what are the key elements that ensure that the web page design is effective?
Good visuals
Of course, great visuals will definitely be better, but you must focus on sensible and impressive visuals. Whether they are good or great will be determined by the success of the website. So, the best way to go about it would be to use visuals after a great deal of forethought. You must use visuals that are in line with the message of your website. One look at the visuals and the visitors must understand what your website is all about. The visuals must be such that they complement the message of the website.
Avoiding graphic distractions
Some designers are prone to adding a number of graphic embellishments to web page design. But this is what is called 'designing suicide'. You can use visual markers occasionally and use them sparingly, but crowding a web page with a series of visual embellishments is just going to confuse rather than impress. You might want to offer something that is out-of-the-box, but all such embellishments will do is they will distract the visitor from the real purpose of the website.
Well Designed User Interface
What's a well-designed user interface? It's the kind of user interface that has been designed keeping in mind the target audience and the purpose of the website. One of the core elements of a well-designed user interface is the navigation. It should be convenient and such that users don't think about how to go to a particular page. More importantly, it's a user interface that makes or breaks a site. Make sure that your user interface conveys the site's message, includes a call-to-action and can be easily understood by the user.
These three elements are not the be all and end all of web page design. But, if you want to ensure the design of your web pages is effective and can attract website visitors, you can begin by keeping these key elements in mind. As you go along, you will find many other elements that will help you design an effective web page.